
Qass f^ <^^^-7 



^^^^^^,HICAL Hisroj,^ 



-OIF- 



SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA. 



Containing Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington 
TO Harrison, with accompanying Biographies of each ; Portraits and Biogra- 
phies OP THE Governors of the State; Engravings of Prominent 
Citizens in Shelbt and Audubon Counties, with Personal 
Histories of many of the Early Settlers and 
Leading Families. A Concise History 
op the Counties, and the 
Cities and Townships. 




W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS, 

7 113 Adams Street, Chicago. 



1889. 




<& 



^7 






^■' 





K^ 



CONTENTS 




PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED 

STATES. 

George Washington 9 

John Adams 14 

Thomas Jefferson 30 

James Madison 26 

James Monroe 32 

John Quincy Adams 38 

Andrew Jackson 47 

Martin Van Buren 53 

William Henry Harrison 56 

John Tyler..' 60 

James K. Polk 64 

Zachary Taylor 6S 

Millard Fillmore 72 

Franklin Pierce 76 

James Buchanan 80 

Abraham Lincoln 84 

Andrew Johnson 93 

Ulysses 8. Grant 96 



Rutherford B. Hayes 102 

James A. Garfield 109 

Chester A. Arthur 113 

Grover Cleveland 117 

Benjamin Harrison 130 

HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Aboriginal 133 

Caucasian 124 

Pioneer Life 133 

Louisiana Territory 137 

Iowa Territory 139 

State Organization and Subse- 
quent History 141 

Patriotism 146 

Iowa Since the War 151 

State Institutions 151 

Educational 154 

Statistical 157 

Physical Features 158 

Geology 158 



Climate 183 

Census of Iowa 164 

Territorial Officers 164 

State Officers 165 

GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 

Robert Lucas 171 

John Chambers 173 

-James Clarke 175 

Ansel Briggs 179 

Stephen Hempstead 183 

James W. Grimes 187 

Ralph P. Lowe 191 

Samuel J. Kirkwood 195 

William M. Stone i99 

Samuel Merrill 303 

Cyrus C. Carpenter 207 

Joshua G. Newbold 211 

John H. Gear 215 

Buren R. Sherman 219 

William Larrabee 223 



^^^\*^^ 



f^isTor^Y OP Shelby (©ounty. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introductouy 229 

Geology, Topography and Natural History.. 230 

CHAPTER II. 

Early Settlement — The Mormons 232 

County Government 235 

Organization of Townships 236 

First Events 238 

CHAPTER IIL 

Official. Vote of Shelby County 241 

County Officers 241 

County Seat History 24,') 



CHAPTER IV. 
The Great Civil War 249 

CHAPTER V. 
The Newspaper Press 251 

CHAPTER VI. 

VARiona TiiiNos 254 

Population in 1885, by Townships 254 

Valuation of Properly 354 

Agricultural Society 254 

Medical Society 255 

School Population 255 



CONTENTS. 



The Marriage Record 255 

Farmers' Mutual losurance Company 256 

The Counly Poor Farm 256 

The County Jail 256 

Church of Latter-Day Saints 257 

Elkhorn— PostoflSce and College 257 

Then and Now 258 

Defunct Vii-lages 259 

Itan 259 

Shelbyville 259 

Simoda 259 

Manteno 260 



Present Towns and Villages 260 

Harlan 200 

Shelby 273 

Irwin 277 

Defiance 279 

Village of Earling 281 

Panama 283 

Portsmouth 285 

Village of Westphalia ... 287 

Kirkman 290 

Corley 291 

Botna 292 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



A. 

Abbott, S. D 447 

Adams, Alex 385 

Adamson, James 621 

Albers, Claus 552 

Albertus, Fred 587 

Albertus, F. D 585 

Albertus, J. A 453 

Allen, D.W 551 

Allen, H. H 563 

AUoway, G. W 630 

Anstine, Theodore 616 

Aruientroul, Jacob 629 

Armentrout, Philip 629 

Armstrong, John 436 

Asquilh, T. G 410 

Averill, T. E 571 

B. 

Bacon, Thomas 439 

Baird, J. F 599 

Baird, Wm 618 

Bare, John 560 

Barr.G.S 428 

Barrett, Thos 363 

Barrett, W. G 383 

Bartlett, L. L 387 

Battey, George 490 

Baughn, \V. L 405 

Beard, Cyrus 363 

Beh, J. F 578 

Bell, G. 11 445 

Benjamin, Daniel 578 

Berry, A. J 430 

Best, M. V 884 

Bigler, E. S 504 

Billeter, Sr., P 841 

Billeter, Jr., P 344 

Birks, liiley 483 

Bishop, M. S 409 

Black. Alex 496 

Boardman. J 481 

Bonne, J C 511 

Booker. E. B 512 

Booth, Nathaniel 461 

Bosley, Jacob 575 

Bowlin, F. M 372 

Byd, H. I 490 



Bradford, Bruce 611 

Branson, W. S 366 

Brindley, J 465 

Brock, J. F 374 

Brommenscbenkel, P 460 

Broomhall, Thos 624 

Brown, Gabriel 553 

Brown, Japheth 548 

Brown, R. C 518 

Bnckman, A. N 301 

Buckman, J. C 533 

Bullard, J 489 

Burke, J. T 413 

Burwell, John 519 

Buss, J. T 621 

Byers, H. W 373 

C. 

Caldwell, T.J 633 

Campbell, Alex 338 

Campbell, M. K 333 

Campbell, W. C 469 

Carmichel, Neil 372 

Chance. W. P 380 

Chase, D. W 333 

Chalburn, J. \V 297 

Christopher, W. F 447 

Clark, J. M 612 

Clark, J. M. B... 610 

Cleveland, W. F 359 

Closter, J. O .'i35 

Cobb. E. A .306 

Colby, G. F 512 

Cold, P. F 566 

Collins, David 510 

Collins, E. A 803 

Comstock, Orville 439 

Constable, Wm 402 

Cook, Thomas 474 

Cook, Thomas 625 

Cooper, D. C 443 

Cooper, W. E 545 

Copeland, Abner 631 

Cory, J. O ,588 

Cosgrove. Thos 511 

Cox, W. W 451 

Craig, H. W 631 

Crandall, George 597 

Crique, Joseph 393 



Croft, G.S 344 

Croft, G. W 531 

Crouch, Frank 459 

Cullison, G. W 376 

Curtis, R. J 633 

Custer, B. C 440 

Custer, Henry 393 

Custer, Henry 487 

D. 

Dagget, Samuel 598 

Daley, Daniel 319 

Dammand, R. P 331 

Darling, Thomas 534 

Davis, W. J ^ 315 

Deen, David 626 

Dent, W. H 539 

Dighton, B. B 609 

Doughty, G. H .587 

Dunham, Fletcher 318 

Dunlap, J. M 434 

E. 

Edwards, Garland 568 

Edwards. Wm 517 

Eokars. George 433 

Erickson, EH 560 

Escher, H. A 417 

Evans, G.R 478 

F. 

Fay, R. G 458 

Fish, E. F 585 

Fish, G. M 586 

Fish, I. J 429 

Fish, Mason 582 

Fisher, Azariah 826 

Fleming. Daniel 613 

Ford, Robert ". . 592 

Fountain. Pierson 530 

French, J. W 362 

Fritz, John 606 

Fritz, Silas 329 

Frost, L. D 423 

Fry, Daniel 577 

Fry, L. W 460 

Fudge M. S 608 



CONTENTS. 



G. 

Gallagher, Thos 579 

Gammon. Warren 394 

Gardner, Joseph 561 

Garland, H. J 352 

Geiger, J. W 353 

Gihbs, G. S 353 

Gilmore, J. P 438 

Gingery, Lewis 317 

Gish. David 320 

Gooding, Fred 38S 

Graves, C. E 535 

Graves, Z. H GOO 

Gregg, A. E 493 

Green, D. W 5!i6 

Groat, A. J 540 

Gubbels, Peler 484 

Guthrie, J. H 530 

H. 

Hack, H. P 445 

Hall, David «17 

Hall, J. L 40« 

Hamdorf, Henry 345 

Hammer, Peter 401 

Hammes, Michael 595 

Handy, \Vm 483 

Uarlord, T. N 365 

Harrod, H 334 

Havens, Mrs. M. M 331 

Hawkins. James 304 

Hawley, George 452 

Hawley, Pierce 473 

Heck, G. E 508 

Heese, J. C 505 

Heglin, G. C 363 

Henrickson, H. N 386 

Henry, O. T 566 

Herkenrath, Peter 489 

Higgins, John 479 

Hinkle, Jacob 497 

Holcomb, H. C 495 

Holcomb, H. C 354 

Holcomb, O. E 495 

Hon, Jesse 543 

Hoover, E.E 598 

Howlett, Sr., Wm 309 

Howlett, Jr., Wm 437 

Hummert, J. B 453 

I. 

Ickes, G. W 580 

Irwin, Ebenezer 569 

Irwin, E.W 364 

Irwin, D. S 570 

Ivey, James 430 

J. 

Jackson, Alfred 472 

Jackson, John 534 

Jacobson, Andrew 520 

Jacobson, Lorens 459 

James, George 591 

James, Robert 571 

Jarvis, L. L 375 

Jenson, L. 384 

Jenson, Peter 547 

Johnson, Alonzo 435 



Johnson, Christian 589 

Johnson, Wm 616 

Johnson, W.J 624 

Jorgenson, James 424 

K. 

Kavanagh, T. A 017 

Keairnes, Wm 575 

Keairnes, Willson 523 

Keehner, Karl 633 

Keeney, M. T 351 

Kees, H. B 300 

Keller, G.F 487 

Kellogg, Lewis 607 

Kerr, L. M 395 

Keyes, C. H 330 

Kidd, Charles 515 

Kite, R. W 603 

Kleeb, Wm 448 

Kohl, E.V 416 

Kohl, G. D 416 

Kohl, S. F 415 

Korth, Jacob 594 

Korlh, P.J 592 

Korth, Peter 593 

Kostelecky, Charles 516 

Kuhl, J. H 427 

Kuhl, M. P 591 

L. 

Lamphere, John 609 

Langent'eld, John 466 

Larson, M 506 

Larson, N 518 

Lawrence, J. M 600 

Lawson, J. E 548 

Ledwich, Thomas 391 

Lee, Henry 387 

Leinen, Constand 626 

Leinen, Matthias 6:^0 

Leytham, Richard - 478 

Leytham, Thomas 481 

Linn, J. B 520 

Linn, S. B 382 

Loehr, F. W 457 

Long, T. A 554 

Lorge, John 581 

Lorge, N.J 581 

Louis, J. H 421 

Luecke, H. H 354 

M. 

Macy, N. W 331 

Madsen, John 583 

Malick, J. M 488 

Mansfield, J. C 446 

Martinson, Peter 541 

Maxwell, Alex 418 

McCoid, G. W 597 

McCoid, Thomas 596 

McCord, Alex 557 

McCuskey, H. C 503 

McDonald, Thomas 308 

McDowell, Luke 535 

McDowell, Oliver 524 

McGinness, Wm 343 

McGorri8k,W. B 341 

Mcintosh, J. A 307 

McKeever, Anthony 345 



McKeig, Wesley 444 

McNaughton.F. J 498 

Means, Otho 515 

Meier, C. W 434 

Michaelson, Chris 53d 

Miller, F. A 590 

Miller, G. H 536 

Miller, J. J 536 

Miller, J. P 414 

Miller, Noah 543 

Miller, T. J 408 

Miller, W. F 559 

Mills, J. S 361 

Mitchell, Thos 534 

Morgan, Jap 516 

Morgan, J. W 594 

Morris, D. E 517 

Muck, R. W 554 

Muldoon, H. W 561 

Murfleld, D. F 414 

Musselman, Daniel 559 

Myers, Eliab 611 

N. 

Neff, J. H 595 

Neff, Oscar 466 

Newberry, A. M 633 

Newby, James 319 

Newhouse, George 355 

Nichols, H. 6 632 

Nicolls, H. C 381 

Nieman, H.A 531 

O. 

Obrecht, Martin 526 

Osborn, A. Q 448 

Olson, Jens 546 

Olson, Nels '. . . 355 

Olson, T. B 451 

P. 

Panian, John 392 

Pattee, A. J 374 

Patterson, G. K 343 

Paulk, C. H 433 

Paulk, J. W 410 

Paup, George 299 

Penniston, Edmund 529 

Perry, J. P 544 

Peters, Wm 623 

Peterson, Andrew 309 

Pieffer, J. M 509 

Pinney, Harmon 610 

Plumb, Francis 409 

Plumb, Valentine 551 

Poling, Martin 368 

Pomeroy, John 502 

Pomeroy, R. M 386 

Pool, S. G 552 

Porter, Robert 618 

Potter, H. C 457 

Potter, John 400 

Potter. J. S 383 

Potts, G. W 608 

Pratt, J. M 572 

Pratt, S. K 480 

Pritchard, A 599 

Pulver, Harman 356 

Pulver, M 533 



CONTENTS. 



R. 

Kalston, J. N 603 

Kamsay, J. O 438 

Ramsay, S. J 457 

Redfielci, C. C 302 

Reed, C. A 497 

Reynolds, Miles 406 

Riley, A. K 465 

Roberts, Wm 424 

Roberts, Benj 526 

Robinson, Charles 453 

Robertson, J. M 532 

Roland, J 483 

Rorabaugh, A. P 329 

Roundy, N.J 509 

Roundy, Sarah 471 

Roundy, W 310 

Runnells, H, J 576 

Ryan, T.J 565 

S. 

Salter, J. W 558 

Sarvis, G. W. M 645 

Saunders, C. A 428 

Schafer, Philip 422 

Schiltz, John 470 

Schouboe, A. A 395 

Schnuettgen, A 504 

Scutt, Wesley 322 

Seymore, Monroe.... 607 

Slieller, D. B 333 

Shorelt, Lewis 505 

SIdener, S. A 576 

Silliman, 8. P 4GJ 



Slates, Samuel 458 

Smith, Caleb 543 

Smith. Harrison 382 

Smith, J. W 405 

-Smith, T. H 314 

■ Smith, W.J 407 

Snyder, H. L. 492 

Snyder, H. M 615 

Sontag, Theodore 623 

Sorenson, J. P 373 

Stanley, J. L 454 

Starr, G. W 604 

Steen, Robert 313 

Stephens, J. R 366 

Stephenson, G. R 605 

Sunderland, L. D 336 

Swain, J. B 580 

Swift, C.F 579 

Swinehart, George 535 

T. 

Terrill, Dwight 335 

Teske, Charles 479 

Theile, Frank 589 

Thomas, Wm 408 

Tingle, A. H 477 

Trotter, M. W 437 

Truman, Sirs. H. A 374 

V. 

Vandeburg. J. D 604 

Vering, Ferdinand 433 

Vogt, Nicholas 547 



W. 

Wadkins, Wm 541 

Walmer, Q. W 483 

Walters, D. B 501 

Walters, Jacob 502 

Warner, A. B 375 

Watterbury, Daniel 440 

Watterbury, Edward 646 

Watterbury, Lewis 421 

Watterbury, Stephen 435 

Westrope, T. R 313 

Wheeler, W. W 396 

Wilcox, A. C 553 

Wilfong, Andrew 401 

Will, Peter 367 

Williams, G. M 480 

Williamson, C 491 

Willson, W. L 335 

Wilson, Daniel 417 

Wilson, John 484 

Winters, Mrs. A. G. M 305 

Wooster, J. C 567 

Wright, J. T 415 

Wyland, C. J 295 

Wyland, DM 346 

Wyland, J 337 

Wyland, O. P 371 

Wyland, T. J 356 

Wyland, Wm 335 

Wyland, W. W 394 

Y. 

Yackey, Joseph 501 

Yoder, Stephen 376 



■^^^^ 



por^Tr^AiiTS. 



Armentrout, Philip 628 

Baughn, W. L 404 

Bosley, Jacob 574 

Brindley, J 464 

Brown, .1 apheth 549 

Burke, J. T 413 

Campbell, W. C... 468 

Clark, J. M 613 

Cleveland, W.F 358 

Collins, E. A 303 

Cooper, I). C 443 

Cullisou,G. W 377 

Eokars, Geo 432 

Pish, E. F 584 



Gregg, A. E 493 

Keairnes, Willson 522 

Keller, Geo. F 486 

Kidd, Charles 514 

Kite, R.W 602 

Kuhl, J. H 426 

Larson, .M . . . . 507 

Ledwich, Thos 390 

Loehr, Fred 450 

McCord, Ale.x 556 

Miller, J. J 537 

Olson, T. B 450 

Penniston, Edmund 538 

Perry, J. P ,....544 



Porter, Robert 619 

Roundy, W 311 

Ryan, T. J 564 

Sunderland, L. D 338 

Sunderland, Mrs. Mary E 339 

Tingle, A. H 478 

AValters, D. B 500 

Watterbury, Lewis 430 

Wheeler, W. W 397 

Wyland, C.J 294 

Wyland, D. M 347 

Wyland, O. P 370 

Wyland, Wm 324 



CONTENTS. 



History of Audubon Sounty. 



CHAPTER I. 

Imtroductost 637 

Geology, Topography and General Features. 638 

CHAPTER II. 

Early Settlement and Organization 039 

First Events 641 

Organization 643 

CHAPTER III. 
CotTNTY Government 645 

CHAPTER IV. 

Election Returns — County, State and Na- 
tional 651 

Liquor Prohibitory Amendment 654 

CHAPTER V. 

Special Events and Other Matters 655 

Special Events 655 

Assessed Valuation of Property in 1888 656 

Marriage Record 656 

Population, by Townships, in 1885 (i56 

Population at Various Dales 656 



CHAPTER VI. 
The Newspaper Press 657 

CHAPTER VII. 

Various Things 662 

Educational 602 

Audubon County Soldiers 663 

Railroads, the Squatters, etc 603 

Stock-raising 665 

Agricultural Society 605 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Towns and Villages 667 

Record of Village Plats 667 

Audubon 668 

Exira 675 

Brayton 680 

Gray 081 

Ross 683 

Kimballton 683 

CHAPTER IX. 

Crime in Shelby .vnd Audubon Counties 085 

The Jellerson Murder and Subsequent Lynch- 
ing 086 

Polk City Murderers Captured and Lynched. 689 

Crooked Creek Outlaws 692 

Murder of C. H. Kleva 693 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



A. 

Allen, A. E 794 

Allen, F. D 714 

Andrews, H. F 701 

Armstrong, A. P 798 

B. 

Bagley, Charles 728 

Baker, Luke 716 

Baker, Robert 795 

Bartlett, H. M 730 

Bartlett, Washington 805 

Bashani, J. H 757 

Bauer, Valentine 771 

Beason, Silas 802 

Beers, 13radley 779 

Beers, L. A 771 

Bell, J. T 715 

Bickelhaupt, Philip 770 

Bilharz, Emil 713 

Bonwell, J. C 807 

Bradley, F. P 804 



Brookfield, B. C 814 

Brown, I. N 780 

Burnside, Wilson 722 

C. 

Cameron, John 821 

Cameron, W. G 817 

Carpenter, R. C 800 

Carpenter, R. M 713 

Carper, M. L 751 

Carper, R. N 755 

Clark, Wm. J 789 

Cloughly, J. F 799 

Cloughly, Wm 824 

Colee, C. A. W 770 

Conklin, Henry 782 

Conrad, Joseph 777 

Consigny, J. F 097 

Cotton, G. E 767 

Cousins, E. B 703 

Crane W. A 724 

Creveling, R. J 740 



Cunningham, Bernard 731 

Curtis, Joseph 779 

Curtis, Wm 763 

D. 

Davidson, R. H 822 

Davis, Wm. E 739 

Detwiler, A. N 809 

Doak, J. B 723 

Donaldson, S. F 780 

Dubois, G. M 757 

E. 

Eddy, A. J 752 

F. 

Fancher, Amos 784 

Ferguson, David 732 

Fiscus, Elias 788 

Fiscus, Wilson 823 

Foreman, B. G 783 

Frahm, J. H •. . . . 751 



CONTENTS. 



Francisco, O. B 820 

Freeman, E. J 698 

G. 

Gardner, 8. M 810 

Garratt, Jacob 775 

Garroutte, Frank 823 

Gault, Richard 735 

Gifford, M. K 732 

Gillespie, G. W C 797 

Graves, D. D 785 

Gray, George 800 

Green, H.J 795 

Griggs, J. M 758 

H. 

Hall, James 789 

Halloclt, I. P 696 

Hamlin, Nathaniel 709 

Hanna, H. W 717 

Hansen, H.P 812 

Hardenbrook, George 759 

Hays, Samuel. — 734 

Henderson, Robert 820 

Hendricks, D. W 770 

Hensley, F. M 734 

Hensley, J. J 748 

Hensley, L. M 778 

Hensley, VVm. E 777 

Hicks, J. A 749 

Hill, Jacob H 781 

Huffman, Charles 774 

Holliday, James 756 

Holmes, J. D 711 

Houston, A. B 721 

Houston, O.J 803 

Howald, B. F 750 

Huffman, F. P 810 

Hutchinson, J. J 808 

I. 

Ide, O. F 739 

J. 

Jarman, John 714 

Jeffries, G. C 761 

Jenkins, I. H 763 

Jenkins, J. T 718 

Jensen, Jesper 825 

Johnston, Wra 811 

Jordan, Samuel 733 



K. 

Kilworth, T. H 763 

L. 

Lacy, R. H 787 

Lancelot, W. J 819 

Lass, D. G 723 

Lewis. Josephus 765 

Littlefield. A. F 727 

Luse. J. F 754 

M. 

Mallory.Wm 728 

Mason, G. S. D 768 

McAnulty, D. A 781 

McCain, George 801 

McClure, Wm. H 824 

McFadden, Joseph 725 

McLachlin, G. J 813 

McLaughlin, F. R 815 

McLeran.Wm 791 

Miller, Robert 742 

Morey, N. L . 738 

Myers, T.F 797 

N. 

Nash, John 792 

Nash, John A 790 

Newell, Joseph 782 

Newell, Wm. J 812 

O. 

Oelke, August 764 

Overholtzer, J. A 772 

P. 

Phelps, B. S 704 

Poulson, W. M 727 

Powers, D.W 721 

R. 

Reed, LW 773 

Reynolds, J. M 805 

Ridpath, Joseph 753 

Riley, John 719 

Roberts, A. H 710 

Roberts, O. H. P 764 

Rodgers, A. F 760 



Ross, G. M 785 

Russell, G.B 798 

S. 

Sampson, C. H 742 

Sanborn, A. L 735 

Scott, Wm. H 729 

Seyller, Lawrence 784 

Shaugur, D. E 761 

Shingledecker, Jerome 724 

Sibson, Richard 818 

Sickles, Wm. W 763 

Sizer, Robert 769 

"Smith, Charles 737 

Statzell, L L 760 

Steere, R. A 698 

Strahl, M. P 793 

Stuart, Wm.G 754 

Swaney, Wm. L 816 

T. 

Taylor, M.D 813 

Te'akle, Amos 774 

Thomas, Isaac 726 

Thornisch, J. P 749 

V. 

Van Gorder, Charles 695 

Van Gorder, H. W 738 

Vail,C. H 699 

W. 

Walker, Thomas 716 

Walker, Wm 744 

Walker, Wm. J 768 

Walkup, V. A 729 

Waycoff, J. D 796 

Webster, H. Z 816 

Weeks, C. H 731 

Wever, A. L 717 

Whitted, P. I 741 

Willcutt, C. F 730 

Willox, James 737 

Winters, Thomas 712 

Wiseman, F. P 815 

Witthauer, Otto 720 

Wood, G. W 775 

Y. 

Young, Edgar 778 



-^*^ 



»#mi^mai 



Hamlin, Nathan 

Hamlin, Mrs. Margaret. 



.707 I Walker, William 746 

.706 1 Wilker, Mrs. Nancy J 747 



A> 





GEORGE n'ASHfNGTON. 






EORGE WASHING- 
TON, the " Father of 
his Country" and its 
first President, 1789- 
'97, was born Febru- 
ary 22, 1732, in Wash- 
ington Parish, West- 
t^X'1^% morelaiid Cou nty, Virginia. 
\^^M;y^^ His father, Augustine Wash- 
«!y^|^^ ington, first married Jane But- 
if®''?'^'5^\ ler, who bore him four chil- 
ld*i3 J ^''*^"' ^^'^ March 6, 1730, he 
married Mary Ball. Of six 
children by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, 
the others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au- 
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the 
youngest died in infancy. Little is known 
of the early years of Washington, beyond 
the fact that the house in which he was 
born was burned during his early child- 
hood, and that his father thereupon moved 
to another farm, inherited from his paternal 
ancestors, situated in Stafford County, on 
the north bank of the Rappahannock, where 
he acted as agent of the Principio Iron 
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died 
there in 1743. 

From earliest childhood George devel- 
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous 
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily 
strength. His education was somewhat de- 



fective, being confined to the elementary 
branches taught him by his mother and at 
a neighboring school. He developed, how- 
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en- 
joyed in that branch the instructions of a 
private teacher. On leaving school he re- 
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with 
his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as 
his guardian, and who had married a daugh- 
ter of his neighbor at Bclvoir on the Poto- 
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some 
time president of the executive council of 
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law, 
Lawrence Washington, had served witii dis- 
tinction in 1740 as officers of an American 
battalion at the siege of Carthagcna, and 
were friends and correspondents of Admiral 
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on 
the Potomac has been named. George's 
inclinations were for a similar career, and a 
midshipman's warrant was procured for 
him, probably through the influence of the 
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his 
mother the project was abandoned. The 
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how- 
ever, opened another career for the young 
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap- 
pointed surveyor to the immense estates of 
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then 
on a visit at Bclvoir, and who shortly after- 
ward established his baronial residence at 
Green way Court, in the Shenandoah Valley. 



PRES/DEATS OF TUB UNITED STATES. 



Three years were passed by young Wash- 
ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex- 
perience which afterward proved very es- 
sential to him. 

In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were 
put under training wiih a view to active 
service against France, Washington, though 
only nineteen years of age, was appointed 
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep- 
tember of that year the failing health of 
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces- 
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and 
Ge irge accompanied him in a vo3'age to 
B?.: ladoes. They returned earl3' in 1752, 
and '-awrence shortly afterward died, leav- 
ing h. 5 large property to an infant daughter. 
In his will George was named one of the 
executors and as eventual heir to Mount 
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece 
soon succeeded to that estate. 

On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as 
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 
the militia was reorganized, and the prov- 
ince divided into four districts. Washing- 
ton was commissioned by Dinwiddle Adju- 
tant-General of the Northern District in 
1753, and in November of that year a most 
important as well as hazardous mission was 
assigned him. This was to proceed to the 
Canadian posts recently established on 
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand 
in the name of the King of England the 
withdrawal of the French from a territory 
claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had 
been declined by more than one officer, 
since it involved a journey through an ex- 
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness 
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes, 
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful 
attachment. Major Washington, however, 
accepted the commission with alacritj- ; and, 
accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached 
Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered 
his dispatches and received reply, which, of 
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the 
posts. This reply was of such a character 



as to induce the Assembly of Virginia to 
authorize the executive to raise a regiment 
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining 
the asserted rights of the British crown 
over the territory claimed. As Washing- 
ton declined to be a candidate for that post, 
the command of this regiment was given to 
Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing- 
ton, at his own request, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio, 
news was received that a parly previously 
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the 
Monongahela with the Ohio had been 
driven back by a considerable French force, 
which had completed the work there be- 
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor 
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor 
of Canada. This was the beginning of the 
great " French and Indian war," which con- 
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel 
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com- 
mand of the regiment, and so well did he 
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly 
commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief 
of all the forces raised in the colony. 

A cessation of all Indian hostility on the 
frontier having followed the expulsion of 
the French from the Ohio, the object of 
Washington was accomplished and he re- 
signed his commission as Commander-in- 
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro- 
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in 
the General Assembly, of which he had 
been elected a member. 

January 17, 1759, Washington married 
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young 
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de- 
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years 
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- 
rupted only by his annual attendance in 
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at 
Williamsburg, until summoned by his 
country to enter upon that other arena in 
which his fame was to become world wide. 

It is unnecessary here to trace the details 
of the struggle upon the question of local 



dEORGE WASHINGTON. 



It 



self-government, which, after ten years, cul- 
minated b)' act of Parliament of the port of 
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia 
that a congress of all the colonies was called 
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, 
to secure their common liberties — if possible 
by peaceful means. To this Congress 
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele- 
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- 
mended the colonies to send deputies to 
another Congress the following spring. In 
the meantime several of the colonies felt 
impelled to raise local forces to repel in- 
sults and aggressions on the part of British 
troops, so that on the assembling of the next 
Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara- 
tions of the mother country were unmis- 
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- 
ington had been fought. Among the earliest 
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the 
selection of a commander-in-chief of the 
colonial forces. This office was unani- 
mously conferred upon Washington, still a 
member of the Congress. He accepted it 
on June 19, but on the express condition he 
should receive no salary. 

He immediately repaired to the vicinity 
of Boston, against which point the British 
ministry had concentrated their forces. As 
early as April General Gage had 3,000 
troops in and around this proscribed city. 
During the fall and winter the British policy 
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub- 
lic sentiment and to build up a British party 
in the colonies. Those who sided with the 
ministry were stigmatized by the patriots 
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them- 
selves the name of " Whigs." 

As early as 1776 the leading men had 
come to the conclusion that there was no 
hope except in separation and indepen- 
dence. In May of that year Washington 
wrote from the head of the army in New 
York : " A reconciliation with Great Brit- 
ain is impossible When I took 

command of the army, I abhorred the idea 



of independence ; but I am now fully satis- 
fied that nothing else will save us." 

It is not the object of this sketch to trace 
the military acts of the patriot hero, to 
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of 
the United States were confided during the 
seven years' bloody struggle that ensued 
until the treaty of 1783, in which England 
acknowledged the independence of each of 
the thirteen States, and negotiated with 
them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The 
merits of Washington as a military chief- 
tain have been considerably discussed, espe- 
cially by writers in his own country. Dur- 
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed 
for incompetency, and great efforts were 
made to displace him ; but he never for a 
moment lost the confidence of either the 
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783, 
the great commander took leave of his offi- 
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms, 
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where 
the Congress of the States was in session, 
and to that body, when peace and order 
prevailed everywhere, resigned his com- 
mission and retired to Mount Vernon. 

It was in 1788 that Washington was called 
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He 
received every electoral vote cast in all the 
colleges of the States voting for the office 
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was 
the time appointed for the Government of 
the United States to begin its operations, 
but several weeks elapsed before quorums 
of both the newly constituted houses of the 
Congress were assembled. The city of New 
York was the place where the Congress 
then met. April 16 Washington left his 
home to enter upon the discharge of his 
new duties. He set out with a purpose of 
traveling privately, and without attracting 
any public attention ; but this was impossi- 
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met 
with thronging crowds, eager to see the 
man whom they regarded as the chief de- 
fender of their liberties, and everywhere 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



he was hailed with those public manifesta- 
tions of joy, regard and love which spring 
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec- 
tionate and grateful people. His reception 
in New York was marked by a grandeur 
and an enthusiasm never before witnessed 
in that metropolis. The inauguration took 
place April 30, in the presence of an immense 
multitude which had assembled to witness 
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath 
of office was administered by Robert R. 
Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When 
this sacred pledge was given, he retired 
with the other officials into the Senate 
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural 
address to both houses of the newly con- 
stituted Congress in joint assembly. 

In the manifold details of his civil ad- 
ministration, Washington proved himself 
equal to the requirements of his position. 
The greater portion of the first session of 
the first Congress was occupied in passing 
the necessary statutes for putting the new 
organization into complete operation. In 
the discussions brought up in the course of 
this legislation the nature and character of 
the new system came under general review. 
On no one of them did any decided antago- 
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a 
limited government, clothed only with spe- 
cific powers conferred by delegation from 
the States. There was no change in the 
name of the legislative department; it still 
remained "the Congress of the United 
States of America." There was no change 
in the original flag of the countr^'.and none 
in the seal, which still remains with the 
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, 
with other emblems, under the great and 
expressive motto, " E Pluribus Unum." 

The first division of parties arose upon 
the manner of construing the powers dele- 
gated, and they were first styled " strict 
constructionists" and " latitudinarian con- 
structionists." The former were for con- 
fining the action of the Government strictly 



within its specific and limited sphere, while 
the others were for enlarging its powers by 
inference and implication. Hamilton and 
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet, 
were regarded as the chief leaders, respect 
ively, of these rising antagonistic parties, 
which have existed, under different names, 
from that day to this. Washington was re- 
garded as holding a neutral position between 
them, though, by mature deliberation, he 
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, 
passed by the party headed by Hamilton, 
which was based upon a principle construct- 
ively leading to centralization or consoli- 
dation. This was the first exercise of the 
veto power under the present Constitution. 
It created considerable excitement at the 
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- 
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has 
been adhered to in principle in every ap- 
portionment act passed since. 

At the second session of the new Con- 
gress, Washington announced the gratif}'- 
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- 
lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June 
I of the same j'ear he announced by special 
message the like " accession of the State of 
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on 
the happy event which " united under the 
general Government" all the States which 
were originally confederated. 

In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- 
tion, Washington was desirous to retire; 
but he yielded to the general wish of the 
countrjr, and was again chosen President 
by the unanimous vote of every electoral 
college. At the third election, 1796, he was 
again most urgently entreated to consent to 
remain in the executive chair. This he 
positively refused. In September, before 
the election, he gave to his countrymen his 
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan- 
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit 
and crowning glory of his illustrious life. 
After March 4, 1797, he again retired to 
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose. 



CEORGE IVASf/fJVGTOAr. 



n 



His administration for the two terms had 
been successful beyond the expectation and 
hopes of even the most sanguine of his 
friends. The finances of the country were 
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the 
public credit was fully restored, life was 
given to every department of industry, the 
workings of the new system in allowing 
Congress to raise revenue from duties on 
imports proved to be not only harmonious 
in its federal action, but astonishing in its 
results upon the commerce and trade of all 
the States. The e.xports from the Union 
increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,- 
000 per annum, while the imports increased 
in about the same proportion. Three new 
members had been added to the Union. The 
progress of the States in their new career 
under their new organization thus far was 
exceedingly encouraging, not only to the 
friends of liberty within their own limits, 
but to their sympathizing allies in all climes 
and countries. 

01 the call again made on this illustrious 



chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon 
and take command of all tlie United States 
forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-Gcnerai, 
when war was threatened with France in 
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to 
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo- 
nial of the high regard in which he was still 
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po- 
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted 
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop 
to all action under it. He again retired to 
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and 
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The 
whole country was filled with gloom b)- this 
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- 
tics and creeds in religion, in every State 
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- 
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in 
peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men." 

His remains were deposited in a family 
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount 
Vernon, where they still lie entombed. 




'^^^i 



>4 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



M^y 
















OHN ADAMS, the second 
President of the United 
States, 1797 to 1 80 1, was 
born in the present town 
of Quincy, then a portion 
of Braintree, Massachu- 
setts, October 30, 1735. His 
father was a farmer of mod- 
erate means, a worthy and 
industrious man. He was 
a deacon in the church, and 
was very desirous of giving 
his son a collegiate educa- 
tion, hoping that he would 
become a minister of the 
gospel. But, as up to this 
time, the age of fourteen, he had been only 
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had 
no taste for books, he chose farming. On 
being set to work, however, by his father 
out in the field, the very first day con- 
verted the bo}' into a lover of books. 

Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he 
entered Harvard College, and graduated in 
1755, at the age of twentv, highly esteemed 
for integrity, energy and ability. Thus, 
having no capital but his education, he 
started out into the stormy world at a time 
of great political excitement, as France and 
England were then engaged in their great 
seven-years struggle for the mastery over 
the New World. The fire of patriotism 



seized young Adams, and for a time he 
studied over the question whether he 
should take to the law, to politics or the 
ami}'. He wrote a remarkable letter to a 
friend, making prophecies concerning the 
future greatness of this country which have 
since been more than fulfilled. For two 
years he taught school and studied law. 
wasting no odd moments, and at the early 
age of twenty-two years he opened a law 
office in his native town. His inherited 
powers of mind and untiring devotion to 
his profession caused him to rise rapidly 
in public esteem. 

In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married 
Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy- 
man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per- 
sonal and intellectual endowments, who 
afterward contributed much to her hus- 
band's celebrity. 

Soon the oppression of the British in 
America reached its climax. The Boston 
merchants employed an attorney by the 
name of James Otis to argue the legality of 
oppressive tax law before the Superior 
Court. Adams heard the argument, and 
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the 
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a 
flame of fire. With a promptitude of 
classical allusion, a depth of research, a 
rapid summary of historical events and 
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a 





'/nu 



yOHN AOA/tlS. 



'7 



prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried 
awa}' all before him. Atiifrican independence 
was then and there born. Every man of an 
immensely crowded audience appeared to 
me to go awa}', as I did, ready to take up 
arms." 

Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be 
read before the literary club of his town, 
upon the state of affairs, which was so able 
as to attract public attention. It was pub- 
lished in American journals, republished 
in England, and was pronounced by the 
friends of the colonists there as " one of the 
very best productions ever seen from North 
America." 

The memorable Stamp Act was now 
issued, and Adams entered with all the 
ardor of his soul into political life in order 
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- 
lutions remonstrating against the act, which 
were adopted at a public meeting of the 
citizens of Braintree, and which were sub- 
sequently adopted, word for word, by more 
than forty towns in the State. Popular 
commotion prevented the landing of the 
Stamp Act papers, and the English author- 
ities then closed the courts. The town of 
Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid- 
ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a 
petition before the Governor and council 
for the re-opening of the courts; and while 
the two first mentioned attorneys based 
their argument upon the distress caused to 
the people by the measure, Adams boldly 
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation 
both of the English Constitution and the 
charter of the Provinces. It is said that 
this was the first direct denial of the un- 
limited right of Parliament over the colo- 
nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was 
repealed. 

Directly Mr. Adams was employed to 
defend Anseil Nickerson, who had killed an 
Englishman in the act of impressing him 
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his 
client was acquitted, the court thus estab- 



lishing the principle that the infamous 
royal prerogative of impressment could 
have no existence in the colonial code. 
But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah 
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers 
who had been arrested for murder when 
they had been only obeying Governmental 
orders ; and when reproached for thus ap- 
parently deserting the cause of popular 
liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a 
thousandfold rather live under the domina- 
tion of the worst of England's kings than 
under that of a lawless mob. Next, after 
serving a term as a member of the Colonial 
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find- 
ing his health affected by too great labor, 
retired to his native home at Braintree. 

The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa- 
mous Boston " Tea Party," the first open 
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the 
Congress at Philadelphia ; and when the 
Attorney-General announced that Great 
Britain had " determined on her system, 
and that her power to execute it was irre- 
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that 
Great Britain has determined on her sys- 
tem, and that very determination deter- 
mines me on mine. You know that I have 
been constant in my opposition to her 
measures. The die is now cast. I have 
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or 
die, with m}^ country, is my unalterable 
determination." The rumor beginning to 
prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress 
had independence in view, Adams foresaw 
that it was too soon to declare it openly. 
He advised every one to remain quiet in 
that respect; and as soon as it became ap- 
parent that he himself was for independ- 
ence, he was advised to hide himself, which 
he did. 

The next year the great Revolutionary 
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams, 
residing near Boston, kept her husband ad- 
vised by letter of all the events transpiring 
in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hill 



I8 



PRESIDENTS OF THE US'ITED STATES. 



came on. Congress had to do something 
immediately. The first thing was to 
choose a commander-in-chief for the — we 
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the 
colonies. The New England delegation 
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint- 
ing General Ward, then at the head of the 
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged 
the appointment of George Washington, 
then almost unknown outside of his own 
State. He was appointed without oppo- 
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution, 
which was adopted, annulling all the ro3'al 
authority in the colonies. Having thus 
prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz., 
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, who a few months before had declared 
that the British Government would aban- 
don its oppressive measures, now offered 
the memorable resolution, seconded by 
Adams, " that these United States are, and 
of right ought to be, free and independent." 
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and 
Livingston were then appointed a commit- 
tee to draught a declaration of independ- 
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams 
to draw up ihe bold document, but the 
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform 
that responsible task. The Declaration 
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost 
defender on the floor of Congress. It was 
signed by all the fifty-five members present, 
and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his 
wife how great a deed was done, and how 
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued 
to be the leading man of Congress, and 
the leading advocate of American inde- 
pendence. Above all other Americans, 
he was considered by every one the prin- 
cipal shining mark for British vengeance. 
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to 
the most dangerous task of crossing the 
ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the 
British, who knew of his mission, which 
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera- 
tion of the French. Besides, to take him- 



self away from the countrj- of which he 
was the most prominent defender, at that 
critical time, was an act of the greatest self- 
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the 
sea, he had two ver}' narrow escapes from 
capture ; and the transit was otherwise a 
stormy and eventful one. During thc- 
summer of 1779 he returned home, but was 
immediately dispatched back to France, to 
be in readiness there to negotiate terms of 
peace and commerce with Great Britain as 
soon as the latter power was ready for such 
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more 
popular than he at the court of France, Mr. 
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was 
far more successful as a diplomatist. 

The treaty of peace between the United 
States and England was finally signed at 
Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action 
from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had 
so long been experiencing threw him into 
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re- 
covered he was in London, whence he was 
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti- 
ate another loan. Compliance with this 
order undermined his physical constitution 
for life. 

In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy 
to the court of St. James, to meet face to 
face the very king who had regarded him 
as an arch traitor! Accordingh' he re- 
paired thither, where he did actually meet 
and converse with George III.! After a 
residence there for about three years, he 
obtained permission to return to America. 
While in London he wrote and published 
an able work, in three volumes, entitled: 
'' A Defense of the American Constitution." 

The Articles of Confederation proving 
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a 
carefully draughted Constitution was 
adopted in 1789, when George Washington 
was elected President of the new nation, 
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met 
for a time in New York, but was removed 
to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable 



JOHN ADAMS. 



19 



buildings should be erected at the new 
capital in the District of Columbia. Mr. 
Adams then moved his family to Phila- 
delphia. Toward the close of his term of 
office the French Revolution culminated, 
when Adams and Washington rather 
S3'mpathized with England, and Jefferson 
with France. The Presidential election of 
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first 
place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- 
son the second place. 

Mr. Adams's administration was consci- 
entious, patriotic and able. The period 
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel 
could not have reconciled the hostile par- 
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng- 
land and France was bitter, and for four 
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost 
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he 
was not truly a popular man, and his cha- 
grin at not receiving a re-election was so 
great that he did not even remain at Phila- 
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. 
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly 
intimacy between these two men was 
interrupted for about thirteen years of their 
life. Adams finally made the first advances 
toward a restoration of their mutual friend- 
ship, which were gratefully accepted by 
Jefferson. 

Mr. Adams was glad of Jiis opportunity 
to retire to private lite, where he could rest 
his mind and enjoy the comforts of home. 
By a thousand bitter experiences he found 
the path of public duty a thorny one. For 
twenty-six years his service of the public 
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted 
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im- 
portant sense he was as much the " Father 
of his Country " as was Washington in 
another sense. During these long years of 
an.xiety and toil, in which he was laying. 
broad and deep, the foundations of the 



greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he 
received from his impoverished country a 
meager support. The only privilege he 
carried with him into his retirement was 
that of franking his letters. 

Although taking no active part in public 
affairs, both himself and his son, John 
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. 
Jefferson in resisting the cncroachm.ents of 
England, who persisted in searching 
American ships on the high seas and 
dragging from them any sailors that might 
be designated by any pert lieutenant as 
British subjects. Even for this noble sup- 
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- 
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion, 
for the first time since his retirement, he 
broke silence and drew up a very able 
paper, exposing the atrocity of the British 
pretensions. 

Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family. 
Though his physical frame began to give 
way many 3'ears before his death, his mental 
powers retained their strength and vigor to 
the last. In his ninetieth year he was 
gladdened by the popular elevation of his 
son to the Presidential office, the highest in 
the gift of the people. A few months more 
passed away and the 4th of July, 1826, 
arrived. The people, unaware of the near 
approach of the end of two great lives — 
that of Adams and Jefferson — were making 
unusual preparations for a national holiday. 
Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to 
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial 
music and the roar of cannon, with silent 
emotion. Only four days before, he had 
given for a public toast, " Independence 
forever." About two o'clock in the after- 
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives." 
But he was mistaken by an hour or so; 
and in a few minutes he had breathed his 
last. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 






*i 



^ Iff - . .^- - , '^' 



m. 



Ei/j , dd.r'.r'r'., c rr'i^-r^^ a 








[HOMAS JEFFER- 

son, the third Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, 1801-9, was 
born April 2, 1743, 
the eldest child of 
his parents, Peter 
and Jane (Randolph) Jef- 
ferson, near Charlottes- 
ville, Albemarle Count}', 
Virginia, upon the slopes 
of the Blue Ridge. When 
he • was fourteen years of 
age, his father died, leav- 
ing a widow and eight 
children. She was a beau- 
tiful and accomplished 
a good letter-writer, with a fund of 
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His 
parents belonged to the Church of England, 
and are said to be of Welch origin. But 
little is known of them, however. 

Thomas was naturally of a serious turn 
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at 
school, his choice studies bemg mathemat- 
ics and the classics. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered William and Mary College, 
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an 
expensive style, consequently being much 
caressed by gay society. That he was not 
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character. 
But during his second year he discarded 



ladi 



society, his horses and even his favorite 
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen 
hours a day to hard stud}', becoming ex- 
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek 
authors. 

On leaving college, before he was twenty- 
one, he commenced the study of law, and 
pursued it diligently until he was well 
qualified for practice, upon which he 
entered in 1767. By this time he was also 
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- 
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine 
arts. Being very polite and polished in his 
manners, he won the friendship of all whom 
he met. Though able with his pen, he was 
not fluent in public speech. 

In 1769 he was chosen a member of the 
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest 
slave-holding member of that body. He 
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders 
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected 
by an overwhelming vote. 

In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great 
loss ; his house at Shadwell was burned, 
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes 
was consumed. But he was wealthy 
enough to replace the most of it, as from 
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his 
practice at the bar his income amounted to 
about $5,000 a year. 

In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, 
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished 









tyZ'W^^ 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



n 



young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of 
land and 1 30 slave? ; yet he labored assidu- 
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his 
new home he selected a majestic rise of 
land upon his large estate at Shadwell, 
called Monticello, whereon he erected a 
mansion of modest yet elegant architecture. 
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste 
in magnificent, high-blooded horses. 

At this period the British Government 
gradually became more insolent and op- 
pressive toward the American colonies, 
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most 
foremost to resist its encroachments. From 
time to time he drew up resolutions of re- 
monstrance, which were finally adopted, 
thus proving his ability as a statesman and 
as a leader. By the year 1774 he became 
quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- 
fending the right of the colonies to defend 
themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A 
Summary View of the Rights of British 
America," attracted much attention in Eng- 
land. The following year he, in company 
with George Washington, served as an ex- 
ecutive committee in measures to defend 
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- 
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- 
maker, 3'ct in conversation and upon 
committees he was so frank and decisive 
that he always made a favorable impression. 
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- 
mained in hopes of reconciliation with the 
parent country. 

At length, however, the hour arrived for 
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- 
dence," and this responsible task was de- 
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and 
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections 
before it was submitted to Congress, which 
was June 28, 1776, only six da^s before it 
was adopted. During the three days of 
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which 
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened 
not his lips. John Adams was the main 
champion of the Declaration on the floor 



of Congress. The signing of this document 
was one of the most solemn and momentous 
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer 
and silence reigned throughout the hall, 
and each signer realized that if American 
independence was not finally sustained by 
arms he was doomed to the scaffold. 

After the colonies became independent 
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat 
in Congress in order to aid in organizing 
the government of Virginia, of which State 
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he 
was thirty-six years of age. At this time 
the British had possession of Georgia and 
were invading South Carolina, and at one 
time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a 
secret expedition to Monticello to capture 
the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. 
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- 
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The 
British troops also destroyed his valuable 
plantation on the James River. " Had they 
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with 
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them 
freedom, they would have done right." 

The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the 
Virpfinia Governor. While confined to his 
secluded home in the forest by a sick and 
dying wife, a party arose against him 
throughout the State, severely criticising 
his course as Governor. Being very sensi- 
tive to reproach, this touched him to the 
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur- 
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re- 
solved, in despair, to retire from public life 
for the rest of his days. Yor weeks Mr. 
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed 
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during 
which time unfeeling letters were sent to 
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith- 
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost 
so much property and at the same time 
done so much for his country! After her 
death he actually fainted away, and re- 
mained so long insensible that it was feared 
he never would recover ! Several weeks 



H 



PRES/DE.VTS OF THE UXfTED STATES. 



passed before he could fully recover his 
equilibrium. He was never married a 
second time. 

In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- 
land compelled their king to make to the 
Americans overtures of peace, and in No- 
vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap- 
pointed by Congress, unanimousl}' and 
without a single adverse remark, minister 
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty. 

In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap- 
pointed on a committee to draught a plan 
for the government of the Northwestern 
Territory. His slavery -prohibition clause 
in that plan was stricken out by the pro- 
slavery majority of the committee; but amid 
all the controversies and wrangles of poli- 
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- 
dict anybody or engage in any discussion 
as a debater. 

In company with Mr. Adams and Dr. 
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in 
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary 
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce 
with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went 
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his 
mission. The suavity and high bearing of 
his manner made all the French his friends; 
and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote 
to her sister that he was " the chosen 
of the earth." But all the honors that 
he received, both at home and abroad, 
seemed to make no change in the simplicity 
of his republican tastes. On his return to 
America, he found two parties respecting 
the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams 
sympathizing with that in favor of England 
and himself favoring France. 

On the inauguration of General Wash- 
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was 
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of 
State. At this time the rising storm of the 
French Revolution became visible, and 
Washington watched it with great anxiety. 
His cabinet was divided in their views of 
constitutional government as well as re- 



garding the issues in France. General 
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was 
the leader of the so-called Federal party, 
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the 
Republican party. At the same time there 
was a strong monarchical party in this 
country, with which Mr. Adams sympa- 
thized. Some important financial measures, 
which were proposed by Hamilton and 
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved 
by Washington, were opposed by Mr. 
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to 
reproach him with holding office under an 
administration whose views he opposed. 
The President poured oil on the troubled 
waters. On his re-election to the Presi- 
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain 
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his 
resignation at two different times, probably 
because he was dissatisfied with some of 
the measures of the Government. His 
final one was not received until January i, 
1794, when General Washington parted 
from him with great regret. 

Jefferson then retired to his quiet home 
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even 
reading the newspapers lest the political 
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi- 
dent's again calling him back to the office 
of Secretary* of State, he replied that no 
circumstances would ever again tempt him 
to engage in anything public! But, while 
all Europe was ablaze with war, and France 
in the throes of a bloody revolution and the 
principal theater of the conflict, a new 
Presidential election in this country came 
on. John Adams was the Federal candi- 
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi- 
can candidate. The result of the election 
was the promotion of the latter to the Vice- 
Presidency, while the former was chosen 
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson 
really did not desire to have either office, 
he was " so weary " of party strife. He 
loved the retirement of home more than 
any other place on the earth. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



25 



But for four long years his Vice-Presi- 
dency passed joylessly away, while the 
partisan strife between Federalist and Re- 
publican was ever growing hotter. The 
former party split and the result of the 
fourth general election was the elevation of 
Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with 
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men 
being at the head of a growing party, their 
election was hailed everywhere with joy. 
On the other hand, many of the Federalists 
turned pale, as they believed what a portion 
of the pulpit and the press had been preach- 
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist," 
a "Jacobin," the " incarnation of all evil," 
" breathing threatening and slaughter ! " 

Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con- 
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments, 
expressed in fine language, and his personal 
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme 
of American, democratic simplicity. His 
disgust of European court etiquette grew 
upon him with age. He believed that 
General Washington was somewhat dis- 
trustful of the ultimate success of a popular 
Government, and that, imbued with a little 
admiration of the forms of a monarchical 
Government, he had instituted levees, birth- 
days, pompous meetings with Congress, 
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to 
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried 
in his countenance the indications of an ac- 
commodating disposition. 

The political principles of the Jeffersoni- 
an party now swept the country, and Mr. 
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which 
was never exceeded even by Washington. 
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou- 
isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000, 
the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com- 
prising all the land west of the Mississippi 
to the Pacific Ocean. 

The year 1804 witnessed another severe 
loss in his family. His highly accomplished 
and most beloved daughter Maria sickened 
and died, causing as great grief in the 



stricken parent as it was possible for him to 
survive with any degree of sanity. 

The same year he was re-elected to the 
Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice- 
President. During his second term our 
relations with England became more com- 
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp- 
ton Roads, the United States frigate 
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit- 
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made 
to surrender. Three men were killed and 
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara- 
tion. England grew insolent. It became 
evident that war was determined upon by 
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri- 
cans were forced into the British service 
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory 
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's 
Presidential term closed. Amid all these 
public excitements he thought constantly 
of the welfare of his family, and longed 
for the time when he could return home 
to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub- 
sequent life was very similar to that of 
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi- 
tality toward his numerous friends, indul- 
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his 
property, etc., finally involved him in debt. 
For years his home resembled a fashion- 
able watering-place. During the summer, 
thirty -seven house servants were required ! 
It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs. 
Randolph. 

Mr. Jefferson did much for the establish- 
ment of the University at Charlottesville, 
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the 
spirit of American institutions, but poverty 
and the feebleness of old age prevented 
him from doing what he would. He even 
went so far as to petition the Legislature 
for permission to dispose of some of his 
possessions by lottery, in order to raise the 
necessary funds for home expenses. It was 
granted ; but before the plan was carried 
out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4, 1826, at 
12:50 1'. M. 



26 



PRESrOEXTS OF THE UXITED STATES. 






SSSS®? 



i imm^ ?M®fii®E 






"ii^~^i^~"^'e'e 



•=5iV 




AMES MADISON, the 
fourth President of the 
United States, iSog-'i/, 
was born at Port Con- 
waj-. Prince George 
County, Virginia, March 
i6, 1751. His father. 
Colonel James Madison, was 
a wealthy planter, residing 
upon a very fine estate 
called " Montpelier," only 
twent3'-five miles from the 
home of Thomas Jefferson 
at Monticello. The closest 
personal and political at- 
tachment existed between 
these illustrious men from their early youth 
until death. 

James was the eldest of a family of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, all 
of whom attained maturity. His early edu- 
cation was conducted mostly at home, 
under a private tutor. Being naturally in- 
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him- 
self with unusual vigor to study. At a very 
earl}' age he made cf)nsiderable iirf)ficiency 
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish 
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton 
College, New Jersey, of which the illus- 
trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi- 
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char- 



acter of the utmost purity, and a mind 
highly disciplined and stored with all the 
learning which embellished and gave effi- 
ciency to his subsequent career. After 
graduating he pursued a course of reading 
for several months, under the guidance of 
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re- 
turned to Virginia, where he continued in 
incessant study for two years, nominall)* 
directed to the law, but really including 
extended researches in theology, philoso- 
phy and general literature. 

The Church of England was the estab- 
lished church in Virginia, invested with all 
the prerogatives and immunities which it 
enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de- 
nominations labored under serious disabili- 
ties, the enforcement of which was rightly 
or wrongly characterized by them as per- 
secution. Madison took a prominent stand 
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities, 
repeatedly appeared in the court of his own 
county to defend the Baptist nonconform- 
ists, and was elected from Orange County to 
the Virginia Convention in the spring of 
1766, when he signalized the beginning of 
his public career by procuring the passage 
f)f an amendment to the Declaration of 
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub- 
stituting for "toleration" a more emphatic 
assertion of religious liberty. 



% 




/ax-^^'-^ ■^^ oo-^^^ 



y.lMES MAD/SOtf. 



49 



In 1776 he was elected a member of the 
Virgmia Convention to frame the Constitu- 
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he took 
but little part in the public debates. His 
main strength lay in his conversational in- 
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777, 
he was chosen a member of the Council of 
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in 
the Continental Congress, where he first 
gained prominence through his energetic 
opposition to the issue of paper money by 
the States. He continued in Congress three 
vears, one of its most active and influential 
members. 

In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem- 
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren- 
dered important service by promoting and 
participating in that revision of the statutes 
which effectually abolished the remnants of 
the feudal system subsistent up to that 
time in the form of entails, primogeniture, 
and State support given the Anglican 
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon- 
strance" against a general assessment for 
the support of religion is one of the ablest 
papers which emanated from his pen. It 
settled the question of the entire separation 
of church and State in Virginia. 

Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to 
the study and experience through which he 
had already passed : 

" Trained in these successive schools, he 
acquired a habit of self-possession which 
placed at ready command the rich resources 
of his luminous and discriminating mind and 
of his extensive information, and rendered 
him the first of every assembly of which he 
afterward became a member. Never wan- 
dering from his subject into vain declama- 
tion, but pursuing it closely in language 
pure, classical and copious, soothing al- 
ways the feelings of his adversaries by civili- 
ties and softness of expression, he rose to the 
eminent station which lie held in the great 
National Convention of 17S7; and in that of 
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the 



new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off 
the palm against the logic of George Mason 
and the fervid declamation of Patrick 
Henry. With these consummate powers 
were united a pure and spotless virtue 
which no calumny has ever attempted to 
sully. Of the power and polish of his pen, 
and of the wisdom of his administration in 
the highest office of the nation, I need say 
nothing. They have spoken, and will for- 
ever speak, for themselves." 

In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the 
initiative in proposing a meeting of State 
Commissioners to devise measures for more 
satisfactory commercial relations between 
the States. A meeting was held at An- 
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five 
States were represented. The convention 
issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi- 
son, urging all the States to send their dele- 
gates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to 
draught a Constitution for the United 
States. The delegates, met at the time ap- 
pointed, every State except Rhode Island 
being represented. George Washington 
was chosen president of the convention, 
and the present Constitution of the United 
States was then and there formed. There 
was no mind and no pen more active in 
framing this immortal document than the 
mind and pen of James Madison. He was, 
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of 
the Federalist. 

Mr. Madison was a member of the first 
four Congresses, i789-'97, in which lie main- 
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's 
financial policy. He declined the mission 
to France and the Secretaryship of State, 
and, gradually identifying himself with the 
Republican party, became from 1792 its 
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice 
for the Presidency as successor to Wash- 
ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote: "There is 
not another person in the United States 
with whom, being placed at the helm of our 
affairs, my mi-nd would be so completely at 



3° 



PRESrOE.YTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



rest for the fortune of our political bark." 
But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi- 
date. His term in Congress had expired, 
and he returned from New York to his 
beautiful retreat at Montpelier. 

In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young 
widow of remarkable powers of fascination 
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro- 
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir- 
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been 
educated in the strictest rules of that sect. 
When but eighteen years of age she married 
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia, 
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes 
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside 
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and 
became one of the most fascinating ladies 
of the republican court. In New York, 
after the death of her husband, she was the 
belle of the season and was surrounded with 
admirers. Mr. Madison won the prize. 
She proved an invaluable helpmate. In 
Washington she was the life of society. 
If there was any diffident, timid young 
girl just making her appearance, she 
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging 
friend. 

During the stormy administration of John 
Adams Madison remained in private life, 
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso- 
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia 
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien 
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report" 
in which he defended those resolutions, 
which is, by many, considered his ablest 
State paper. 

The storm passed away ; the Alien and 
Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams 
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef- 
ferson was chosen President. The great re- 
action in public sentiment which seated 
Jefferson in the presidential chair was large- 
ly owing to the writings of Madison, who 
was consequently well entitled to the post 
of Secretary of State. With great ability 
he discharged the duties of this responsible 



office during the eight 3'ears of Mr. Jeffer- 
son's administration. 

As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and 
neither of his daughters could be often with 
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over 
the festivities of the White House; and as 
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold- 
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable 
woman was the mistress of the presidential 
mansion for sixteen years. 

Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by 
the cares of his office, all the duties of so- 
cial life devolved upon his accomplished 
wife. Never were such responsibilities 
more ably discharged. The most bitter 
foes of her husband and of the administra- 
tion were received with the frankly prof- 
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel- 
come; and the influence of this gentle 
woman in allaying the bitterness of party 
rancor became a great and salutary power 
in the nation. 

As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency 
drew near its close, party strife was roused 
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was 
a death-grapple between the two great 
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr. 
Madison was chosen President by an elec- 
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated 
March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when 
the relations of the United States with Great 
Britain were becoming embittered, and his 
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, 
aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of 
May, 1810, and finally resulting in a decla- 
ration of war. 

On the i8th of June, 181 2, President 
Madison gave his approval to an act of 
Congress declaring war against Great Brit- 
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility 
of the Federal party to the war, the countr}' 
in general approved; and in the autumn 
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency 
by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of 
George Clinton. 

March 4, 1817, Madison yielded the Presi- 



yAMES MAD/SON. 



31 



deticy to his Secretary of State and inti- 
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to 
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he 
passed the evening of his days surrounded 
by attached friends and enjoying the 
merited respect of the whole nation. He 
took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as 
president of the county society, and in 
watching the development of the University 
of Virginia, of which he was long rector and 
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829 
as a member of the convention called to re- 
form the Virginia Constitution, where his 
appearance was hailed with the most gen- 
uine interest and satisfaction, though he 
was too infirm to participate in the active 
work of revision. Small in stature, slender 
and delicate in form, with a countenance 
full of intelligence, and expressive alike of 
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten- 
tion of all who attended the convention, 
and was treated with the utmost deference. 
He seldom addressed the assembly, though 
he always appeared self-possessed, and 
watched with unflagging interest the prog- 
ress of every measure. Though the con- 
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only 
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole 
house paused to listen. His voice was 
feeble though his enunciation was very dis- 
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansburv, 
relates the following anecdote of iVfr. Madi- 
son's last speech: 

" The next day, as there was a great call 
for it, and the report had not been returned 
for publication, I sent my son with a re- 
spectful note, requesting the manuscript. 
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had 
taken with me to act as amanuensis. On 
delivering my note, he was received with 
the utmost politeness, and requested to 
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait 
while his eye ran over the paper, as com- 
pany had prevented his attending to it. He 
did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct 
the report. The lad stood near him so that 



his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a 
certain sentence in tiie speech, Mr. Madison 
erased a word and substituted anotiicr ; but 
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the 
second word, drew his pen through it also. 
My son was young, ignorant of the world, 
and unconscious of the solecism of which he 
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic- 
ity, he suggested a word. Probably no 
other person then living would have taken 
such a liberty. But the sage, instead of 
reoarding such an intrusion with a frown, 
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a 
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ; 
it is the very word,' and immediately in- 
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he 
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli- 
ment on the young critic." 

Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28, 
1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five. 
While not possessing the highest order of 
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers, 
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well- 
balanced mind. His attainments were solid, 
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener- 
ally sound, his powers of analysis and logi- 
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language 
and literary style correct and polished, his 
conversation witty, his temperament san- 
guine and trustful, his integrity unques- 
tioned, his manners simple, courteous and 
winning. By these rare qualities he con- 
ciliated the esteem not only of friends, but 
of political opponents, in a greater degree 
than any American statesman in the present 
century. 

Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir- 
teen years, and died July 12, 1849, in the 
eighty-second year of her age. She was one 
of the most remarkable women our coun- 
try has produced. Even now she is ad- 
miringly remembered in Washington as 
" Dolly Madison," and it is fitting that her 
memory should descend to posterit)' in 
company with thatof the companion of 
her life. 



3-' 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



?)€(^^>tr^t^j(?,'.v^n'rj(^t^^^ 




P J^liM^ Ml^MME 



ma 






^^' 



f^t^f^i^fS?t^(^?^(i 






^ 




AMES MONROE, the fifth 
President of the United 
States, 1 817-25, was born 
in Westmoreland County 
Virginia, April 28, 1758. 
He was a son of Spence 
Monroe, and a descendant 
of a Scottish cavalier fam- 
ily. Like all his predeces- 
sors thus far in the Presi- 
dential chair, he enjoyed all 
the advantages of educa- 
tion which the country 
could then afford. He was 
early sent to a fine classical 
school, and at the age of six- 
teen entered William and Mary College.. 
In 1776, when he had been in college but 
two years, the Declaration of Independence 
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with- 
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug- 
gling against the trained armies of England. 
James Monroe left college, hastened to 
General Washington's headquarters at New 
York and ennjlled himself as a cadet in the 
army. 

At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis- 
tinguished iiimself, receiving a wound in his 
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap- 
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound, 
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster- 
ling, and in that capacity he took an active 
part in the battles of Brandy wine, Ger- 
mantown and Monmouth. At Germantown 



he stood by the side of Lafayette when the 
French Marquis received his wound. Gen- 
eral Washington, who had formed a high 
idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to 
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which 
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was 
Virginia at that time that the effort proved 
unsuccessful. He, however, received his 
commission. 

Finding no opportunity to enter the army 
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his 
original plan of studying law, and entered 
the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was 
then Governor of Virginia. He developed 
a very noble character, frank, manly and 
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him: 

"James Monroe is so perfectly honest 
that if his soul were turned inside out there 
would not be found a spot on it." 

In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly 
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem- 
ber of the Executive Council. The next 
year he was chosen delegate to the Conti- 
nental Congress for a term of three years. 
He was present at Annapolis when Wash- 
ington surrendered his commission of Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

With Washington, Jefferson and Madison 
he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old 
Articles of Confederation, and urged the 
formation of a new Constitution, which 
should invest the Central Government with 
something like national power. Influenced 
by these views, he introduced a resolution 




y /^-Z.^?-^ 2^^ ^^^ 



yAAfES MONROE. 



3S 



that Congress should be empowered to 
regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty 
of five per cent. The resolution was refer- 
red to a committee of which he was chair- 
man. The report and the discussion which 
rose upon it led to the convention of five 
States at Annapolis, and the consequent 
general convention at Philadelphia, which, 
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the 
United States. 

At this time there was a controversy be- 
tween New York and Massachusetts in 
reference to their boundaries. The high 
esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held 
is indicated by the fact that he was ap- 
pointed one of the judges to decide the 
controversy-. While in New York attend- 
ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright, 
a young lad\' distinguished alike for her 
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly 
fifty years this happy union remained un- 
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her 
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration 
and affection by the loveliness of her per- 
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the 
amiability of her character. 

Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe 
commenced the practice of law at Freder- 
icksburg. He was very soon elected to a 
seat in the State Legislature, and the next 
year he was chosen a member of the Vir- 
ginia convention which was assembled to 
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of 
the Constitution which had been drawn up 
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted 
to the several States. Deeply as he felt 
the imperfections of the old Confederacy, 
he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
thinking, with many others of the Republi- 
can party, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enousfh 
to the individual States. 

In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held 
acceptably to his constituents, and with 
honor to himself for four years. 



Having opposed the Constitution as not 
leaving enough power with the States, he, 
of course, became more and more identi- 
fied with the Republican party. Thus he 
found himself in cordial co-operation with 
Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub- 
lican party became the dominant power 
which ruled the land. 

George Washington was then President. 
England had espoused the cause of the 
Bourbons against the principles of the 
French Revolution. President Washing- 
ton issued a proclamation of neutralit}' be- 
tween these contending powers. France 
had helped us in the struggle for our lib- 
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were 
now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from tj'ranny a thousandfold 
worse than that which we had endured. 
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than 
prudent, was anxious that we should help 
our old allies in their extremity. He vio- 
lently opposed the President's procla- 
mation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such 
a character, developed his calm, serene, 
almost divine greatness by appointing that 
ver}^ James Monroe, who was denouncing 
the polic)' of the Government, as the Minis- 
ter of that Government to the republic of 
France. He was directed by Washington 
to express to the French people our warm- 
est sympathy, communicating to them cor- 
responding resolves approved by the Pres- 
ident, and adopted by both houses of 
Congress. 

Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na- 
tional Convention in France with the most 
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and 
affection. He was publicly introduced to 
that body, and received the embrace of the 
President, Merlin de Douay, after having 
been addressed in a speech glowing with 
congratulations, and with expressions of 
desire that harmony might ever exist be- 



36 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



tween the two nations. The flags of the 
two republics were intertwined in the hall 
of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented 
the American colors, and received those of 
France in return. The course which he 
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng- 
land and to the friends of England in 
this countr}' that, near the close of Wash- 
ington's administration, Mr. Monroe, was 
recalled. 

After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a 
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the 
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af- 
fairs." In this work he ver^^ ably advo- 
cated his side of the question; but, with 
the magnanimity of the man, he recorded a 
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and 
spotless integrity of John Jay, between 
whom and himself there was intense antag- 
onism ; and in subsequent years he ex- 
pressed in warmest terms his perfect 
veneration for the character of George 
Washington. 

Shortly after his return to this country' 
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of 
Virginia, and held that office for three 
years, the period limited by the Constitu- 
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France, 
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to 
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to 
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his 
wife and children and an ample competence 
from his paternal estate, enjoyed a few years 
of domestic repose. 

In 1809 ^I'"- Jefferson's second term of 
office expired, and many of the Republican 
party were anxious to nominate James 
Monroe as his successor. The majority 
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon- 
roe withdrew his name and was soon after 
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia. 
He soon resigned that office to accept the 
position of Secretary of State, offered him 
by President Madison. The correspond- 
ence which he then carried on with the 
British Government demonstrated that 



there was no hope of any peaceful adjust- 
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of 
St. James. War was consequently declared 
in June, 1812. Immediately after the sack 
of Washington the Secretary of War re- 
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest 
request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad- 
ditional duties of the War Department, 
without resigning his position as Secretary 
of State. It has been confidentl)^ stated, 
that, had Mr. Moni-oe's energies been in the 
War Department a few months earlier, the 
disaster at Washington would not have 
occurred. 

The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon- 
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou- 
sand men, picked from the veteran armies 
of England, were sent with a powerful fleet 
to New Orleans to acquire possession of 
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan- 
ces were in the most deplorable condition. 
The treasury was exhausted and our credit 
gone. And yet it was necessary to make 
the most rigorous preparations to meet the 
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec- 
retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in 
Greek or Roman story, stepped forward 
and pledged his own individual credit as 
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus 
succeeded in placing the city of New Or- 
leans in such a posture of defense, that it 
was enabled successfully to repel the in- 
vader. 

Mr. Monroe was truly the armor-bearer 
of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. His energy 
in the double capacity of Secretary, both 
of State and War, pervaded all the depart- 
ments of the country. He proposed to 
increase the army to 100,000 men, a meas- 
ure which he deemed absolutely necessary 
to save us from ignominious defeat, but 
which, at the same time, he knew would 
render his name so unpopular as to preclude 
the possibility of his being a successful can- 
didate for the Presidency. 



yAMES MONROE. 



7,-r 



The happy result of the conference at 
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in- 
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not 
too much to say that James Monroe placed 
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the 
weapon with which to beat off the foe at 
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace 
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of 
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties 
of Secretary of State. These he continued 
to discharge until the close of President 
Madison's administration, with zeal which 
was never abated, and with an ardor of 
self-devotion which made him almost for- 
getful of the claims of fortune, health or 
life. 

Mr. Madison's second term expired in 
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded 
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of 
the Republican party, now taking the name 
of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he 
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition. 
Out of 232 electoral votes, he received 231. 
The slavery question, which subsequently 
assumed such formidable dimensions, now 
began to make its appearance. The State 
of Missouri, which had been carved out of 
that immense territory which we had pur- 
chased of France, applied for admission to 
the Union, with a slavery Constitution. 
There were not a few who foresaw the 
evils impending. After the debate of a 
week it was decided that Missouri could 
not be admitted into the Union with slav- 
ery. This important question was at length 
settled by a compromise proposed by 
Henry Clay. 

The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which 
so much has been said, originated in this 
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the 
Holy Alliance was about to interfere to 
prevent the establishment of Republican 
liberty in the European colonies of South 
America. President Monroe wrote to his 
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in 
the emergency. In his reply under date of 



October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the 
supposition that our attempt to resist this 
European movement might lead to war: 

" Its object is to introduce and establish 
the American system of keeping out of our 
land all foreign powers; of never permitting 
those of Europe to intermeddle with the 
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our 
own principle, not to depart from it." 

December 2, 1823, President Monroe 
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to 
be the policy of this Government not to 
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu- 
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere 
with the affairs of nations on the American 
continent; and the doctrine was announced, 
that any attempt on the part of the Euro- 
pean powers " to extend their system to 
any portion of this hemisphere would be 
regarded by the United States as danger- 
ous to our peace and safety." 

March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered 
the presidential chair to his Secretary of 
State, John Quincy Adams, and retired, 
with the universal respect of the nation, 
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou- 
doun County, Virginia. His time had been 
so entirely consecrated to his country, that 
he had neglected his pecuniary interests, 
and was deeply involved in debt. The 
welfare of his country had ever been up- 
permost in his mind. 

For many years Mrs. Monroe was in such 
feeble health that she rarely appeared in 
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his 
residence with his son-in-law in New York, 
where he died on the 4th of July, 1831. 
The citizens of New York conducted his 
obsequies with pageants more imposing 
than had ever been witnessed there before. 
Our country will ever cherish his mem- 
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his 
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc- 
ing him the worthy successor of the illus- 
trious men who had preceded him in the 
presidential chair. 



PNES/DENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



<tf5«^ 




GfeH^^EHSSHHH^IH^HHEHBBaHHEHH^HHHaESSSEHH.aHHHEirBaa 






ti 



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i ^msm aiiw^i 









OHN QUINCY ADAMS, 

the sixth President of the 
United States, i825-'9, 
was born in the rural 
home of his honored 
father, John Adams, in 
Q u i n c y , Massachusetts, 
July II, 1767. His mother, 
a woman of exalted worth, 
watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant 
absence of his father. He 
commenced his education 
at the village school, giving 
at an early period indica- 
tions of superior mental en- 
dowments. 

When eleven vears of age he sailed with 
his father for Europe, where the latter was 
associated with Franklin and Lee as Minister 
Plenipotentiar}-. The intelligence of John 
Quincy attracted the attention of these men 
and received from them flattering marks of 
attention. Mr. Adams had scarcely returned 
to this country in 1779 ere he was again 
sent abroad, and John Quincy again accom- 
panied him. On this voyage he commenced 
a diary, which practice he continued, with 
but few interruptions, until his death. He 
journeyed with his father from Ferrol, in 
Spain, to Paris. Here he applied himself 
for six months to study; then accompanied 



his father to Holland, where he entered, 
first a school in Amsterdam, and then the 
University of Leyden. In 1781, when only 
fourteen j-ears of age, he was selected by 
Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Russian 
court, as his private secretary. In this 
school of incessant labor he spent fourteen 
months, and then returned alone to Holland 
through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. Again he resumed his studies 
under a private tutor, at The Hague. 

In the spring of 1782 he accompanied his 
father to Paris, forming acquaintance with 
the most distinguished men on the Conti- 
nent. After a short visit to England, he re- 
turned to Paris and studied until May, 
1785, when he returned to America, leav- 
ing his father an embassador at the court 
of St. James. In 1786 he entered the jun- 
ior class in Harvard University, and grad- 
uated with the second honor of his class. 
The oration he delivered on this occasion, 
the " Importance of Public Faith to the 
Well-being of a Community," was pub- 
lished — an event verv rare in this or any 
other land. 

Upon leaving college at the age of twenty 
he studied law three years with the Hon. 
Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport. In 
1790 he opened a law office in Boston. The 
profession was crowded with able men, and 
the fees were small. The first year he had 




J. D . J^lrt/H>i 



JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS. 



no clients, but not a moment was lost. The 
second year passed away, still no clients, 
and still he was dependent upon his parents 
for support. Anxiously he awaited the 
third year. The reward now came. Cli- 
ents began to enter his office, and before 
the end of the year he was so crowded 
with business that all solicitude respecting 
a support was at an end. 

When Great Britain commenced war 
against France, in 1793, Mr. Adams wrote 
some articles, urging entire neutrality on 
the part of the United States. The view 
was not a popular one. Many felt that as 
France had helped us, we were bound to 
help France. But President Washington 
coincided with Mr. Adams, and issued his 
proclamation of neutrality. His writings 
at this time in the Boston journals gave 
him so high a reputation, that in June, 
1794, he was appointed by Washington 
resident Minister at the Netherlands. In 
July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Port- 
ugal as Minister Plenipotentiary. Wash- 
ington at this time wrote to his father, John 
Adams: 

" Without intending to compliment the 
father or the mother, or to censure any 
others, I give it as m}' decided opinion, 
that Mr. Adams is the most valuable char- 
acter we have abroad; and there remains 
no doubt in my mind that he will prove the 
ablest of our diplomatic corps." 

On his way to Portugal, upon his arrival 
in London, he met with dispatches direct- 
ing him to the court of Berlin, but request- 
ing him to remain in London until he should 
receive instructions. While waiting he 
was married to Miss Louisa Catherine John- 
son, to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged. Miss Johnson was a daughter of 
Mr. Joshua Johnson, American Consul 
in London, and was a lady endowed with 
that beauty and those accomplishments 
which fitted her to move in the elevated 
sphere for which she was destined. 



In Jul}', 1799, having fulfilled all the pur- 
poses of his mission, Mr. Adams returned. 
In 1802 he was chosen to the Senate of 
Massachusetts from Boston, and then was 
elected Senator of the United States for six 
years from March 4, 1804. His reputation, 
his ability and his experience, placed him 
immediately among the most prominent 
and influential members of that body. He 
sustained the Government in its measures 
of resistance to the encroachments of Eng- 
land, destroying our commerce and insult- 
ing our flag. There was no man in America 
more familiar with the arrogance of the 
British court upon these points, and no 
one more resolved to present a firm resist- 
ance. This course, so truly patriotic, and 
which scarcel)' a voice will now be found 
to condemn, alienated him from the Fed- 
eral party dominant in Boston, and sub- 
jected him to censure. 

In 1805 Mr. Adams was chosen professor 
of rhetoric in Harvard College. His lect- 
ures at this place were subsequently pub- 
lished. In 1809 he was sent as Minister to 
Russia. He was one of the commissioners 
that negotiated the treaty of peace with 
Great Britain, signed December 24, 18 14, 
and he was appointed Minister to the court 
of St. James in 181 5. In 181 7 he became 
Secretary of State in Mr. Monroe's cabinet 
in which position he remained eight years. 
Few will now contradict the assertion that 
the duties of that office were never more 
ably discharged. Probably the most im- 
portant measure which Mr. Adams con- 
ducted was the purchase of Florida from 
Spain for $5,ooQ,ooo. 

The campaign of 1824 was an exciting 
one. Four candidates were in the field. 
Of the 260 electoral votes that were cast, 
Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John 
Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. 
Crawford, forty-one, and Henry Clay, 
thirty-seven. As there was no choice by 
the people, the question went to the House 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the 
vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he 
was elected. 

The friends of all disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more dis- 
graceful in the past history of our country 
than the abuse which was poured in one 
uninterrupted stream upon this high- 
minded, upright, patriotic man. There was 
never an administration more pure in prin- 
ciples, more conscientiously devoted to the 
best interests of the countrv, than that of 
John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more unscru- 
pulously assailed. Mr. Adams took his seat 
in the presidential chair resolved not to 
know an)' partisanship, but onlj' to con- 
sult for the interests of the whole Republic, 

He refused to dismiss an}' man from of- 
fice for his political views. If he was a faith- 
ful officer that was enough. Bitter must 
have been his disappointment to find that the 
Nation could not appreciate such conduct. 

Mr. Adams, in his public manners, was 
cold and repulsive; though with his per- 
sonal friends he was at times very genial. 
This chilling address very seriously de- 
tracted from his popularit)'. No one can 
read an impartial record of his administra- 
tion without admitting that a more noble 
example of uncompromising dignitv can 
scarcely be found. It was stated publicly 
that Mr. Adams' administration was to be 
put down, " though it be as pure as the an- 
gels which stand at the right hand of the 
throne of God." Many of the active par- 
ticipants in these scenes lived to regret the 
course they pursued. Some years after, 
Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, turn- 
ing to Mr. Adams, then a member of the 
House of Representatives, said: 

" Well do I remember the enthusiastic 
zeal with which we reproached the admin- 
istration of that gentleman, and the ardor 
and vehemence with which we labored to 



bring in another. For the share I had in 
these transactions, and it was not a small 
one, I hope God will forgive vie, for I shall 
never forgive myself." 

March 4, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from 
the Presidency and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson, the latter receiving 168 out 
of 261 electoral votes. John C. Calhoun 
was elected Vice-President. The slavery 
question now began to assume pretentious 
magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quinc}', and pursued his studies with una- 
bated zeal. But he was not long permitted 
to remain in retirement. In November, 
1830, he was elected to Congress. In this 
he recognized the principle that it is honor- 
able for the General of yesterda}- to act as 
Corporal to-day, if by so doing he can ren- 
der service to his country. Deep as are 
our obligations to John Quincy Adams for 
his services as embassador, as Secretary of 
State and as President; in his capacity as 
legislator in the House of Representa- 
tives, he conferred benefits upon our land 
which eclipsed all the rest, and which can 
never be over-estimated. 

For seventeen j-ears, until his death, he 
occupied the post of Representative, tow- 
ering above all his peers, ever ready to do 
brave battle for freedom, and winning the 
title of " the old man eloquent." Upon 
taking his seat in the House he announced 
that he should hold himself bound to no 
party. He was usually the first in his 
place in the morning, and the last to leave 
his seat in the evening. Not a measure 
could escape his scrutiny. The battle 
which he fought, almost singly, against the 
pro-slavery party in the Government, was 
sublime in its moral daring and heroism. 
For persisting in presenting petitions for 
the abolition of slavery, he was threatened 
with indictment by the Grand Jury, with 
expulsion from the House, with assassina- 
tion; but no threats could intimidate him, 
and his final triumph was complete. 



yOHN ^U/NCr ADAMS. 



43 



On one occasion Mr. Adams presented a 
petition, signed by several women, against 
the annexation of Texas for the purpose of 
cutting it up into slave States. Mr. How- 
ard, of Maryland, said that these women 
discredited not only themselves, but their 
section of the country, by turning from 
their domestic duties to the conflicts of po- 
litical life. 

"Are women," exclaimed Mr. Adams, 
" to have no opinions or actions on subjects 
relating to the general welfare ? Where 
did the gentleman get his principle? Did 
he find it in sacred history, — in the language 
of Miriam, the prophetess, in one of the 
noblest and sublime songs of triumph that 
ever met the human eye or ear? Did the 
gentleman never hear of Deborah, to whom 
the children of Israel came up for judg- 
ment ? Has he forgotten the deed of Jael, 
who slew the dreaded enemy of her coun- 
try ? Has he forgotten Esther, who, by her 
petition saved her people and her coun- 
try? 

" To go from sacred history to profane, 
does the gentleman there find it 'discredita- 
ble ' for women to take an interest in politi- 
cal affairs? Has he forgotten the Spartan 
mother, who said to her son when going 
out to battle, ' My son, come back to me 
with thy shield, or upon thy shield ? ' Does 
he remember Cloelia and her hundred com- 
panions, who swam across the river under 
a shower of darts, escaping from Porsena ? 
Has he forgotten Cornelia, the mother of 
the Gracchi? Does he not remember Por- 
tia, the wife of Brutus and the daughter of 
Cato ? 

" To come to later periods, what says the 
history of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors ? 
To say nothing of Boadicea, the British 
heroine in the time of the Cccsars, what 
name is more illustrious than that of Eliza- 
beth ? Or, if he will go to the continent, 
will he not find the names of Maria Theresa 
of Hungary, of the two Catherines of 



Prussia, and of Isabella of Castile, the pa- 
troness of Columbus ? Did she bring ' dis- 
credit ' on her sex by mingling in politics? " 

In this glowing strain Mr. Adams si- 
lenced and overwhelmed his antagonists. 

In January, 1842, Mr. Adams presented 
a petition from forty-five citizens of Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts, praying for a peaceable 
dissolution of the Union. The pro-slavery 
party in Congress, who were then plotting 
the destruction of the Government, were 
aroused to a pretense of commotion such as 
even our stormy hall of legislation has 
rarel}' witnessed. They met in caucus, and, 
finding that they probably would not be 
able to expel Mr. Adams from the House 
drew up a series of resolutions, which, i( 
adopted, would inflict upon him disgrace, 
equivalent to expulsion. Mr. Adams had 
presented the petition, which was most re- 
spectfully worded, and had moved that it be 
referred to a committee instructed to re- 
port an answer, showing the reason why 
the prayer ought not to be granted. 

It was the 25th of January. The whole 
body of the pro-slavery party came crowd- 
ing together in the House, prepared to 
crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num- 
ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was 
appointed to read the resolutions, which 
accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of 
having insulted the Government, and of 
meriting expulsion; but for which deserved 
punishment, the House, in its great mercy, 
would substitute its severest censure. With 
the assumption of a very solemn and mag- 
isterial air, there being breathless silence in 
the audience, Mr. Marshall hurled the care- 
fully prepared anathemas at his victim. 
Mr. Adams stood alone, the whole pro-slav- 
ery party against him. 

As soon as the resolutions were read, 
every eye being fixed upon him, that bold 
old man, whose scattered locks were whit- 
ened by seventy-five years, casting a wither- 
ing glance in the direction of his assailants, 



44 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



in a clear, shrill tone, tremulous with sup- 
pressed emotion, said: 

" In reply to this audacious, atrocious 
charge of high treason, I call for the read- 
ing of the first paragraph of the Declaration 
of Independence. Read it ! Read it! and 
see what that says of the rights of a people 
to reform, to change, and to dissolve their 
Government.' 

The attitude, the manner, the tone, the 
words; the venerable old man, with flash- 
ing eye and flushed cheek, and whose very 
form seemed to expand under the inspiration 
of the occasion — all presented a scene over- 
flowing in its sublimity. There was breath- 
less silence as that paragraph was read, in 
defense of whose principles our fathers had 
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their 
sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr. 
Adams as the}' were all compelled to listen 
to the words: 

" That, to secure these rights, govern- 
ments are instituted among men, deriving 
their just powers from the consent of the 
governed; and that whenever any form of 
government becomes destructive of those 
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or 
abolish it, and to institute new government, 
laying its foundations on such principles 
and organizing its powers in such form 
as shall seem most likely to effect their 
safety and happiness." 

That one sentence routed and baffled the 



foe. The heroic old man looked around 
upon the audience, and thundered out, 
" Read that again ! " It was again read. 
Then in a few fiery, logical words he stated 
his defense in terms which even prejudiced 
minds could not resist. His discomfited 
assailants made several attempts to rally. 
After a conflict of eleven days they gave 
up vanquished and their resolution was ig- 
nominiously laid upon the table. 

In January, 1846, when seventy -eight 
years of age, he took part in the great de- 
bate on the Oregon question, displaying 
intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu- 
racy of acquaintance with the subject that 
excited great admiration. 

On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on 
the floor of Congress with a paper in his 
hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly 
he fell, stricken by paralysis, and was caught 
in the arms of those around him. For a 
time he was senseless and was conveyed 
to a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving 
consciousness he opened his eyes, looked 
calmly around and said, " This is the end of 
earth." Then after a moment's pause, he 
added, " / am content." These were his last 
words, and he soon breathed his last, in the 
apartment beneath the dome of the capitol 
—the theater of his labors and his triumphs. 
In the language of hymnology, he " died at 
his post; " he " ceased at once to work and 
live. " 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



47 








NDREW JACKSON, 
the seventh President 
of the United States, 
i829-'37, was born at 
the Waxhaw Settle, 
ment, Union Coun- 
Z'i"^ ty, North Carolina, 
March i'6, 1767. His parents 
were Scotch-Irish, natives of 
Carrickfergus, who came to 
America in 1765, and settled 
on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib- 
utary of the Catawba. His 
father, who was a poor farm 
laborer, died shortly before An- 
drew's birth, when his mother removed to 
Waxhaw, wliere some relatives resided. 

Few particulars of the childhood of Jack- 
son have been preserved. His education 
was of the most limited kind, and he showed 
no fondness for books. He grew up to be a 
tall, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck- 
led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from 
trousers too short for him, very fond of ath- 
letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling. 
He was generous to the younger and 
weaker boys, but very irascible and over- 
bearing with his equals and superiors. He 
was profane — a vice in which he surpassed 
all other men. The character of his mother 



he revered; and it was not until after her 
death that his predominant vices gained 
full strength. 

In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew, 
or Andy, as he was called, with his brother 
Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo- 
lutionary forces under General Sumter, and 
was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang- 
ing Rock. In the following year the 
brothers were made prisoners, and confined 
in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment 
from their captors, and being spectators of 
General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill. 
Through their mother's exertions the boys 
were exchanged while suffering from small- 
pox. In two days Robert was dead, and 
Andy apparently dying. The strength of 
his constitution triumphed, and he regained 
health and vigor. 

As he was getting better, his mother 
heard the cry of anguish from the jjrison- 
ers whom the British held in Charleston, 
among whom were the sons of her sisters. 
She hastened to their relief, was attacked 
by fever, died and was buried where her 
grave could never be found. Thus Andrew 
Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was 
left alone in the world, without father, 
mother, sister or brother, and without one 
dollar which he could call his own. He 



48 



PHESIDESTTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored 
diligently for six months. But gradually, 
as health returned, he became more and 
more a wild, reckless, lawless boy. He 
gambled, drank and was regarded as about 
the worst character that could be found. 

He now turned schoolmaster. He could 
teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica- 
tion table; and as he was a very bold boy, 
it is possible he might have ventured to 
teach a little writing. But he soon began to 
think of a profession and decided to study 
law. With a ver)' slender purse, and on 
the back of a very fine horse, he set out 
for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he 
entered the law office of Mr. McCay. 
Here he remained two years, professedly 
studying law. He is still remembered in 
traditions of Salisbury, which say: 

" Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, 
rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis- 
chievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury, 
He did not trouble the law-books much." 

Andrew was now, at the age of twenty, 
a tall young man, being over six feet in 
height. He was slender, remarkably grace- 
ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis- 
ite horseman, and developed, amidst his 
loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a 
vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was 
fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him 
that no man knew better than Andrew 
Jackson when to get angry and when not. 

In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and 
two years later removed to Nashville, 
in what was then the western district of 
North Carolina, with the appointment of so- 
licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of- 
fice of little honor, small emolument and 
great peril. Few men could be found to 
accept it. 

And now Andrew Jackson commenced 
vigorously to practice law. It was an im- 
portant part of his business to collect debts. 
It required nerve. During the first seven 
years of his residence in those wilds he 



traversed the almost pathless forest between 
Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of 
200 miles, twent)'-two times. Hostile In- 
dians were constantly on the watch, and a 
man was liable at any moment to be shot 
down in his own field. Andrew Jackson 
was just the man for this service — a wild, 
daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he 
made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to 
bear a charmed life. Boldl)', alone or with 
few companions, he traversed the forests, 
encountering all perils and triumphing 
over all. 

In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory, 
and Jackson was appointed, by President 
Washington, United States Attornej^ for 
the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs. 
Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John 
Donelson), whom he supposed to have been 
divorced in that year by an act of the Leg- 
islature of Virginia. Two years after this 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their 
great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just 
obtained a divorce in one of the courts of 
Kentucky, and that the act of the Virginia 
Legislature was not final, but conditional. 
To remedy the irregularity as much as pos- 
sible, a new license was obtained and the 
marriage ceremony was again performed. 

It proved to be a marriage of rare felic- 
ity. Probably there never was a more 
affectionate union. However rough Mr. 
Jackson might have been abroad, he was 
always gentle and tender at home; and 
through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he 
treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival- 
ric attention. 

Under the circumstances it was not un- 
natural that the facts in the case of this 
marriage were so misrepresented "by oppo- 
nents in the political campaigns a quarter 
or a century later as to become the basis 
of serious charges against Jackson's moral- 
ity which, however, have been satisfactorily 
attested by abundant evidence. 

Jackson was untiring in his duties as 



A.VO/fKir JACKSON. 



49 



United States Attorney, which demanded 
frequent journeys through the wilderness 
and exposed him to Indian hostiHties. He 
acquired considerable property in land, and 
obtained such influence as to be chosen 
a member of the convention which framed 
the Constitution for the new State of Ten- 
nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected 
its first Representative in Congress. Albert 
Gallatin thus describes the first appearance 
of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House: 

" A tall, lank, uncouth-looking personage, 
with locks of hair hanging over his face and 
a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin; 
his dress singular, his manners and deport- 
ment those of a rough backwoodsman." 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the 
Democratic part}'. Jefferson was his idol. 
He admired Bonaparte, loved France and 
hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his 
seat, General Washington, whose second 
term of office was just expiring, delivered 
his last speech to Congress. A committee 
drew up a complimentary address in reply. 
Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad- 
dress and was one of twelve who voted 
against it. 

Tennessee had fitted out an expedition 
against the Indians, contrary to the policy 
of the Government. A resolution was intro- 
duced that the National Government 
should pay the expenses. Jackson advo- 
cated it and it was carried. This rendered 
him very popular in Tennessee. A va- 
cancy chanced soon after to occur in the 
Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen 
United States Senator by the State of Ten- 
nessee. John Adams was then President 
and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President. 

In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes- 
see, and resigned his seat in the Senate. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su- 
preme Court of that State, with a salary of 
$600. This office he held six years. It is 
said that his decisions, though sometimes 
ungrammatical, were generally right. He 



did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and 
renounced the dignity in 1804. About 
this time he was chosen Major-General of 
militia, and lost the title of judge in that of 
General. 

When he retired from the Senate Cham- 
ber, he decided to try his fortune through 
trade. He purchased a stock of goods in 
Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville, 
where he opened a store. He lived about 
thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of 
land of several thousand acres, mostly un- 
cultivated. He used a small block-house 
for a store, from a narrow window of 
which he sold goods to the Indians. As he 
had an assistant his office as judge did not 
materially interfere with his business. 

As to slaver}', born in the midst of it, the 
idea never seemed to enter his mind that it 
could be wrong. He eventually became 
an extensive slave owner, but he was one of 
the most humane and gentle of masters. 

In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol- 
itics and settled on a plantation which he 
called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He 
set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership 
and traded in New Orleans, making the 
voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem- 
per he became involved in several quarrels 
and " affairs of honor," during this period, 
in one of which he was severely wounded, 
but had the misfortune to kill his opponent, 
Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair 
greatly injured General Jackson's popular- 
ity. The verdict then was, and continues 
to be, that General Jackson was outra- 
geously wrong. If he subsequently felt any 
remorse he never revealed it to anyone. 

In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash- 
ville and been a guest of Jackson, with 
whom he corresponded on the subject of a 
war with Spain, which was anticipated and 
desired by them, as well as by the people 
of the Southwest generally. 

Burr repeated his visit in September, 
1806, when he engaged in the celebrated 



5° 



PREJIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



combinations which led to his trial for trea- 
son. He was warmly received by Jackson, 
at whose instance a public ball was given 
in his honor at Nashville, and contracted 
with the latter for boats and provisions. 
Early in 1807, when Burr had been pro- 
claimed a traitor by President Jefferson, 
volunteer forces for the Federal service 
were organized at Nashville under Jack- 
son's command; but his energy and activ- 
ity did not shield him from suspicions of 
connivance in the supposed treason. He 
was summoned to Richmond as a witness 
in Burr's trial, but was not called to the 
stand, probabl}- because he was out-spoken 
in his partisanship. 

On the outbreak of the war with Great 
Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv- 
ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for 
New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee 
contingent. In March he received an or- 
der to disband his forces; but in Septem- 
ber he again took the field, in the Creek 
war, and in conjunction with his former 
partner, Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the 
Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega, 
Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. 

In May, 1814, Jackson, who had now ac- 
quired a national reputation, was appointed 
a Major-General of the United States army, 
and commenced a campaign against the 
British in Florida. He conducted the de- 
fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon 
Pensacola, November 6, and immediately 
transported the bulk of his troops to New 
Orleans, then threatened by a powerful 
naval force. Martial law was declared in 
Louisiana, the State militia was called to 
arms, engagements with the British were 
fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en- 
forcements had been received on both sides 
<he famous victory of January 8, 181 5, 
crowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and 
made him the typical American hero of 
the first half of the nineteenth century. 

In i8i7-'i8 Jackson conducted the war 



agamst 



the Seminoles of Florida, during 
which he seized upon Pensacola and exe- 
cuted by courtmartial two British subjects, 

Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which 

might easily have involved the United 
States in war both with Spain and Great 
Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted 
by the cession of Florida to the United 
States; and Jackson, who had escaped a 
trial for the irregularity of his conduct 
only through a division of opinion in Mon- 
roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov- 
ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he 
declined the appointment of minister to 
Mexico. 

In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United 
States Senate, and nominated by the Ten- 
nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This 
candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and 
even merryment, speedily became popular, 
and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can- 
vas resulted in the choice of John Quincy 
Adams by the House of Representatives, 
General Jackson received the largest popu- 
lar vote among the four candidates. 

In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected 
President over Adams after a campaign of 
unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1829, and at once removed 
from office all the incumbents belonging to 
the opposite party — a procedure new to 
American politics, but which naturally be- 
came a precedent. 

His first term was characterized by quar- 
rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun, 
and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at- 
tended by a cabinet crisis originating in 
scandals connected with the name of Mrs. 
General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of 
War; by the beginning of his war upon the 
United States Bank, and by his vigorous 
action against the partisans of Calhoun, 
who, in South Carolina, threatened to 
nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a 
protective tarilT. 

In the Presidential campaign of 1832 



ANDREW yAClCSON. 



SI 



Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral 
votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while 
Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform, 
received the vote of Vermont alone. In 
1833 President Jackson removed the Gov- 
ernment deposits from the United States 
bank, thereby incurring a vote of censure 
from the Senate, which was, however, ex- 
punged four years later. During this second 
term of office the Cherokees, Choctaws and 
Creeks were removed, not without diffi- 
culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis- 
sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National 
debt was extinguished; Arkansas and 
Michigan were admitted as States to the 
Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the 
anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor- 
tance; the Mormon delusion, which had 
organized in 1829, attained considerable 
proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the 
country experienced its greatest pecuniary 
panic. 

Railroads with locomotive propulsion 
were introduced into America during Jack- 
son's first term, and had become an impor- 
tant element of national life before the 
close of his second term. For many rea- 
sons, therefore, the administration of Presi- 
dent Jackson formed an era in American 
history, political, social and industrial. 
He succeeded in effecting the election of 



his friend Van Buren as his successor, re- 
tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837, 
and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage 
until his death, which occurred June 8, 

1845. 

During his closing years he was a pro- 
fessed Christian and a member of the Pres- 
byterian church. No American of this 
century has been the subject of such oppo- 
site judgments. He was loved and hated 
with equal vehemence during his life, but 
at the present distance of time from his 
career, while opinions still vary as to the 
merits of his public acts, few of his country- 
men will question that he was a warm- 
hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere 
man. If his distinguishing qualities were 
not such as constitute statesmanship, in the 
highest sense, he at least never pretended 
to other merits than such as were written 
to his credit on the page of American his- 
tory — not attempting to disguise the de- 
merits which were equally legible. The 
majority of his countrymen accepted and 
honored him, in spite of all that calumny 
as well as truth could allege against him. 
His faults may therefore be truly said to 
have been those of his time; his magnifi- 
cent virtues may also, with the same jus- 
tice, be considered as typical of a state of 
society which has nearly passed away. 



52 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




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ffi^<:,'':V(C'i^;'(^''t*T:''i"t.''t'y r^^*^ I, 






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i^^i-pman^-^T^^^^i^^^ ^-^^ma|^3s i 




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BU- 



eighth 



ARTIN VAN 
REN, the 

President of the 
United States, 1837- 
'41, was born at Kin- 
derhook, New York, 
December 5, 1782. 



His ancestors were of Dutch 
origin, and were among the 
earliest emigrants from Hol- 
land to the banks of the 
Hudson. His father was a 
tavern-keeper, as well as a 
farmer, and a very decided 
Democrat. 
Martin commenced the study 
of law at the age of fourteen, and took an 
active part in politics before he had reached 
the age of twenty. In 1803 he commenced 
the practice of law in his native village. 
In 1809 he removed to Hudson, the shire 
town of his county, where he spent seven 
years, gaining strength by contending in 
the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the bar of his State. 
The heroic example of John Quincy Adams 
in retaining in office every faithful man, 
without regard to his political preferences, 
had been thoroughly repudiated by Gen- 
eral Jackson. The unfortunate principle 
was now fully established, that " to the 
victor belong the spoils." Still, this prin- 
ciple, to which Mr. Van Buren gave his ad- 



herence, was not devoid of inconveniences. 
When, subsequently, he attained power 
which placed vast patronage in his hands, 
he was heard to say : " I prefer an office 
that has no patronage. When I give a man 
an office I offend his disappointed competi- 
tors and their friends. Nor am I certain of 
gaining a friend in the man I appoint, for, 
in all probability, he expected something 
better." 

In 1812 Mr. Van Buren was elected to 
the State Senate. In 181 5 he was appointed 
Attorney-General, and in 1816 to the Senate 
a second time. In 1818 there was a great 
split in the Democratic party in New York, 
and Mr. Van Buren took the lead in or- 
ganizing that portion of the party called 
the Alban)^ Regency, which is said to have 
swayed the destinies of the State for a 
quarter of a century. 

In 1 82 1 he was chosen a member of the 
convention for revising the State Constitu- 
tion, in which he advocated an extension of 
the franchise, but opposed universal suf- 
frage, and also favored the proposal that 
colored persons, in order to vote, should 
have freehold property to the amount of 
$250. In this year he was also elected to 
the United States Senate, and at the con- 
clusion of his term, in 1827, was re-elected, 
but resigned the following year, having 
been chosen Governor of the State. In 
March, 1829, he was appointed Secretary of 



/ 




^ \- ^ 



O 1 lyi""^ .i'^--^^.l^-^^ 



fr--- 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



55 



State by President Jackson, but resigned 
in April, 1831, and during the recess of 
Congress was appointed minister to Eng- 
land, whither he proceeded in September, 
but the Senate, when convened in Decem- 
ber, refused to ratify the appointment. 

In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi- 
, nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice- 
President, and elected in the following 
November. May 26, 1836, he received the 
nomination to succeed General Jackson as 
President, and received 170 electoral votes, 
out of 283. 

Scarcely had he taken his seat in the 
Presidential chair when a financial panic 
swept over the land. Many attributed 
this to the war which General Jackson had 
waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to 
secure an almost exclusive specie currency. 
Nearly every bank in the country was com- 
pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin 
pervaded all our great cities. Not less than 
2 54 houses failed in New York in one week. 
All public works were brought to a stand, 
and there was a general state of dismay. 
President Van Buren urged the adoption of 
the independent treasury system, which 
was twice passed in the Senate and defeated 
in the House, but finally became a law near 
the close of his administration. 

Another important measure was the pass- 
age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set- 
tlers the preference in the purchase of 
public lands. The question of slavery, also, 
now began to assume great prominence in 
national politics, and after an elaborate 
anti-slavery speech by Mr. Slade, of Ver- 
mont, in the House of Representatives, the 
Southern members withdrew for a separate 
consultation, at which Mr. Rhett, of South 
Carolina, proposed to declare it expedient 
that the Union should be dissolved ; but 
the matter was tided over by the passage 
of a resolution that no petitions or papers 
relating to slavery should be in any way 
considered or acted upon. 



In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr. 
Van Buren was nominated, witliout opposi- 
tion, as the Democratic candidate, William 
H. Harrison being the candidate of the 
Whig party. The Democrats carried only 
seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes 
only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re- 
maining 234 being for his opponent. The 
Whig popular majority, however, was not 
large, the elections in many of the States 
being very close. 

March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired 
from the Presidency. From his fine estate 
at Lindenwald he still exerted a powerful 
influence upon the politics of the country. 
In 1844 he was again proposed as the 
Democratic candidate for the Presidency, 
and a majority of the delegates of the 
nominating convention were in his favor ; 
but, owing to his opposition to the pro- 
posed annexation of Texas, he could not 
secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His 
name was at length withdrawn by his 
friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina- 
tion, and was elected. 

In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo- 
cratic candidate. A schism, however, 
sprang up in the party, upon the question 
of the permission of slavery in the newly- 
acquired territory, and a portion of the 
party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers," 
nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drew 
away sufficient votes to secure the election 
of General Taylor, the Whig candidate. 
After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es- 
tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder 
of his life was passed, with the exception of 
a European tour in 1853. He died at 
Kinderhook, July 24, 1862, at the age of 
eighty years. 

Martin Van Buren was a great and good 
man, and no one will question his right to 
a high position ainong those who have 
been the successors of Washington in the 
faithful occupancy of the Presidential 
chair. 



ee 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




WILLIftM HENRY HflRHISDN 








at 
hi 



LI AM HENRY 
HARRISON, the 
ninth President of 
the United States, 
I 84 I, was born 
February 9, 1773, 
in Charles County, 
Berkeley, the resi- 
ts father, Governor 
Benjamin Harrison. He studied 
at Hampden, Sidney College, 
with a view of entering the med- 
ical profession. After graduation 
he went to Philadelphia to study 
medicine under the instruction of 
Dr. Rush. 
George Washington was then President 
jf the United States. The Indians were 
committing fearful ravages on our North- 
western frontier. Young Harrison, either 
lured by the love of adventure, or moved 
by the sufferings of families exposed to the 
most horrible outrages, abandoned his med- 
ical studies and entered the army, having 
obtained a commission of ensign from Pres- 
ident Washington. The first duty assigned 
him was to take a train of pack-horses 
bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami 
River, about forty miles from Fort Wash- 
ington. He was soon promoted to the 



rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army 
which Washington had placed under the 
command of General Wayne to prosecute 
more vigorously the war with the In- 
dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great 
commendation from his commanding offi- 
cer, and was promoted to the rank of 
Captain, and placed in command at Fort 
Washington, now Cincmnati, Ohio. 

About this time he married a daughter 
of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron- 
tiersmen who had established a thriving 
settlement on the bank of the Maumee. 

In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his 
commission in the army and was appointed 
Secretarv of the Northwest Territorv, and 
ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St. 
Clair being then Governor of the Territory. 
At that time the law in reference to the 
disposal of the public lands was such that 
no one could purchase in tracts less than 
4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the 
face of violent opposition, succeeded in 
obtaining so much of a modification of 
this unjust law that the land was sold in 
alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The 
Northwest Territory was then entitled 
to one delegate in Congress, and Cajv 
tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of- 
fice. In iSoo he was appointed Governor 




^ J^/9c 



i^2-'Z-'^^rH_-- 



WILLTAM HENRY HARRISON. 



59 



of Indiana Territory and soon after of 
Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin- 
tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he 
fulfill these duties that he was four times 
appointed to this office. During his admin- 
istration he effected thirteen treaties with 
the Indians, by which the United States 
acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804 
he obtained a cession from the Indians of 
all the land between the Illinois River and 
the Mississippi. 

In 1812 he was made Major-General of 
Kentuck)' militia and Brigadier-General 
in the army, with the command of the 
Northwest frontier. In 1813 he was made 
Major-General, and as such won much re- 
nown b)' the defense of Fort Meigs, and the 
battle of the Thames, Octobers, 181 3. In 
1 8 14 he left the army and was employed in 
Indian affairs by the Government. 

In 1816 General Harrison was chosen a 
member of the National House of Repre- 
sentatives to represent the district of Ohio. 
In the contest which preceded his election 
he was accused of corruption in respect to 
the commissariat of the army. Immedi- 
ately upon taking his seat, he called for an 
investigation of the charge. A committee 
was appointed, and his vindication was 
triumphant. A high compliment was paid 
to his patriotism, disinterestedness and 
devotion to the public service. For these 
services a gold medal was presented to him 
with the thanks of Congress. 

In 1 8 19 he was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden- 
tial electors of that State, he gave his vote 
to Henry Clay. In the same year he was 
elected to the Senate of the United States. 
In 1828 he was appointed by President 
Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom- 
bia, but was recalled by General Jackson 
immediately after the inauguration of the 
latter. 

Upon his return to the United States, 
General Harrison retired to his farm at 



North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, six- 
teen miles below Cincinnati, where for 
twelve years he was clerk of tiie County 
Court. He once owned a distillery, but 
perceiving the sad effects of whisky upon 
the surrounding population, he promptl}^ 
abandoned his business at great pecuniary 
sacrifice. 

In 1836 General Harrison was brought 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency. 
Van Buren was the administration candi- 
date; the opposite party could not unite, 
and four candidates were brought forward. 
General Harrison received seventy-three 
electoral votes without any general concert 
among his friends. The Democratic party 
triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen 
President. In 1839 General Harrison was 
again nominated for the Presidency by the 
Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Van Buren being the Democratic candi- 
date. General Harrison received 234 elec- 
toral votes against sixty for his opponent. 
This election is memorable chiefly for the 
then extraordinary means employed during 
the canvass for popular votes. Mass meet- 
ings and processions were introduced, and 
the watchwords " log cabin " and " hard 
cider " were effectually used b)' the Whigs, 
and aroused a popular enthusiasm. 

A vast concourse of people attended his 
inauguration. His address on that occasion 
was in accordance with his antecedents, and 
gave great satisfaction. A short time after he 
took his seat, he was seized by a pleuris^'- 
fever, and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died April 4, just one short month after 
his inauguration. His death was universally 
regarded as one of the greatest of National 
calamities. Never, since the death of 
Washington, were there, throughout one 
land, such demonstrations of sorrow. Not 
one single spot can be found to sully his 
fame; and through all ages Americans will 
pronounce with love and reverence the 
name of William Henry Harrison. 



6o 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 




l^^^y^^^-ii^^l 







JHHHH 



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BH2g; 








OHN TYLER, the tenth 
President of the United 
States, was born in 
Charles City County, 
Virginia, March 29, 1790. 
His father. Judge John 
Tyler, possessed large 
landed estates in Virginia, 
and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his 
da\-, filling the offices of 
Speaker of the House of 
Delegates, Judge of the Su- 
preme Court and Governor 
of the State. 
At the early age of twelve 
entered William and Mary 
graduated with honor when 
but seventeen jears old. He then closely 
applied himself to the study of law, and at 
nineteen years of age commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession. When only twenty- 
one he was elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He acted with the Demo- 
cratic party and advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving 
nearly the unanimous vote of his county. 

When but twenty-si.x years of age he was 
elected a member of Congress. He advo- 
cated a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over 



young 
College 



John 
and 



State rights. He was soon compelled to 
resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill 
health, but afterward took his seat in the 
State Legislature, where he exerted a 
powerful influence in promoting public 
works of great utility. 

In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor 
of his State — a high honor, for Virginia 
had many able men as competitors for 
the prize. His administration was signally 
a successful one. He urged forward inter- 
nal improvements and strove to remove 
sectional jealousies. His popularity secured 
his re-election. In 1827 he was elected 
United States Senator, and upon taking his 
seat joined the ranks of the opposition. He 
opposed the tariff, voted against the bank 
as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisted all projects of inter- 
nal improvements by the General Govern- 
ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal- 
houn's views of nullification, and declared 
that General Jackson, by his opposition to 
the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles 
of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. 
Tyler's record in Congress. 

This hostility to Jackson caused Mr. 
Tyler's retirement frojn the Senate, after 
his election to a second term. He soon 
after removed to Williamsburg for the 
better education of his children, and again 
took his seat in the Legislature. 




r \ 




xJCn-'iyri 




JOHN TYLER. 



63 



In 1839 he was sent to the National Con- 
vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi- 
dent. General Harrison received a majority 
of votes, much to the disappointment of the 
South, who had wished for Henry Clay. 
In order to conciliate the Southern Whigs, 
John Tyler w^as nominated for Vice-Presi- 
dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1841. In one short month 
from that time President Harrison died, 
and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well 
as that of the nation, found himself an 
occupant of the Presidential chair. His 
position was an exceedingly difficult one, 
as he was opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into 
power. General Harrison had selected a 
Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and 
thus surround himself with councilors 
whose views were antagonistic to his own? 
or should he turn against the party that 
had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself? This was his fear- 
ful dilemma. 

President Tyler deserves more charity 
than he has received. He issued an address 
to the people, which gave general satisfac- 
tion. He retained the cabinet General 
Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill 
chartering a new national bank led to an 
open quarrel with the party which elected 
him, and to a resignation of the entire 
cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary 
of State. 

President Tyler attempted to conciliate. 
He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all 
strong party men, but the Whig members 
of Congress were not satisfied, and they 
published a manifesto September 13, break- 
ing off all political relations. The Demo- 
crats had a majority in the House ; the 
Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon 
found it necessary to resign, being forced 
out by the pressure of his Whig friends. 

April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded, 
through Mr. Calhoun, a treaty for the an- 



nexation ol Texas, which was rejected by 
the Senate ; but he effected his object in the 
closing days of his administration by the 
passage of the joint resolution of March i 

1845- 

He was nominated for the Presidency by 
an informal Democratic Convention, held 
at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with- 
drew from the canvass, perceiving that he 
had not gained the confidence of the Demo- 
crats at large. 

Mr. Tyler's administration was particu- 
larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied. 
Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. 
Situated as he was, it is more than can 
be expected of human nature that he 
should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest 
manner ; but it will probably be the verdict 
of all candid men, in a careful review of his 
career, that John Tyler was placed in a 
position of such difficulty that he could not 
pursue an}' course which would not expose 
him to severe censure and denunciation. 

In 1813 Mr. Tyler married Letitia Chris- 
tian, who bore him three sons and three 
daughters, and died in Washington in 1842. 
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar- 
riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New 
York. He lived in almost complete retire- 
ment from politics until February, 1861, 
when he was a member of the abortive 
" peace convention," held at Washington, 
and was chosen its President. Soon after 
he renounced his allegiance to the United 
States and was elected to the Confederate 
Congress. He died at Richmond, January 
17, 1862, after a short illness. 

Unfortunately for his memory the name 
of John Tyler must forever be associated 
with all the misery of that terrible Re- 
bellion, whose cause he openl)- espoused. 
It is with sorrow that history records that 
a President of the United States died while 
defending the flag of rebellion, which was 
arrayed against the national banner in 
deadly warfare. 



64 



PKES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 








AMES KNOX POLK, 
the eleventh President of 
the United States, 1845- 
'49, was born in Meck- 
lenburg County, North 
Carolina, November 2, 
1795. He was the eldest 
son of a family of six sons 
and four daughters, and was 
a grand-nephew of Colonel 
Thomas Polk, celebrated in 
connection with the Meck- 
lenburg Declaration of In- 
dependence. 

In 1806 his father, Samuel 
Polk, emigrated with his fam- 
ily two or three hundred miles west to the 
valley of the Duck River. He was a sur- 
veyor as well as farmer, and gradually in- 
creased in wealth until he became one of 
the leading men of the region. 

In the common schools James rapidly be- 
came proficient in all the common branches 
of an English education. In 18 13 he was 
sent to Murfrcesboro Academy, and in the 
autumn of 181 5 entered the sophomore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at 
Chapel Hill, graduating in 1818. After a 
short season of recreation he went to Nash- 
ville and entered the law office of Felix 
Grundy. As soon as he had his finished 



legal studies and been admitted to the bar, 
he returned to Columbia, the shire town of 
Maury County, and opened an office. 

James K. Polk ever adhered to the polit- 
ical faith of his father, which was that of 
a Jeffersonian Republican. In 1823 he was 
elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. As 
a " strict constructionist," he did not think 
that the Constitution empowered the Gen- 
eral Government to carry on a system of 
internal improvements in the States, but 
deemed it important that it should have 
that power, and wished the Constitution 
amended that it might be conferred. Sub- 
sequently, however, he became alarmed lest 
the General Government become so strong 
as to undertake to interfere with slavery. 
He therefore gave all his influence to 
strengthen the State governments, and to 
check the growth of the central power. 

In January', 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss 
Mary Childress, of Rutherford Count}', Ten- 
nessee. Had some one then whispered to 
him that he was destined to become Presi- 
dent of the United States, and that he must 
select for his companion one who would 
adorn that distinguished station, he could 
not have made a more fitting choice. She 
was truly a lady of rare beauty and culture. 

In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk was chosen 
a member of Congress, and was continu- 




T 



3/0. 



■^ 



VCL 



.XI 



yAMES K. POLK. 



67 



ously re-elected until 1S39. He then with- 
drew, only that he might accept the 
gubernatorial chair of his native State. 
He was a warm friend of General Jackson, 
who had been defeated in the electoral 
contest by John Quincy Adams. This 
latter gentleman had just taken his seat in 
the Presidential chair when Mr. Polk took 
his seat in the House of Representatives. 
He immediately united himself with the 
opponents of Mr. Adams, and was soon 
regarded as the leader of the Jackson party 
in the House. 

The four years of Mr. Adams' adminis- 
tration passed away, and General Jackson 
took the Presidential chair. Mr. Polk had 
now become a man of great influence in 
Congress, and was chairman of its most 
important committee — that of Ways and 
Means. Eloquently he sustained General 
Jackson in all his measures — in his hostility 
to internal improvements, to the banks, and 
to the tariff. Eight years of General Jack- 
son's administration passed away, and the 
powers he had wielded passed into the 
hands of Martin Van Buren ; and still Mr. 
Polk remained in the House, the advocate 
of that type of Democracy which those 
distinguished men upheld. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. 
Polk was speaker of the House. He per- 
formed his arduous duties to general satis- 
faction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to 
him was passed by the House as he with- 
drew, March 4, 1839. He was elected 
Governor by a large majority, and took 
the oath of office at Nashville, October 14, 
1839. He was a candidate for re-election 
in 1841, but was defeated. In the mean- 
time a wonderful revolution had swept 
over the countrj-. W. H. Harrison, the Whig 
candidate, had been called to the Presiden- 
tial chair, and in Tennessee the Whig ticket 
had been carried by over 12,000 majority. 
Under these circumstances Mr. Polk's suc- 
cess was hopeless. Still he canvassed the 



State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones, 
traveling in the most friendly manner to- 
gether, often in the same carriage, and at 
one time sleeping in the same bed. Mr. 
Jones was elected by 3.000 majority. 

And now the question of the annexation 
of Texas to our country agitated the whole 
land. When this question became national 
Mr. Polk, as the avowed champion of an- 
nexation, became the Presidential candidate 
of the pro-slaver}' wing of the Democratic 
party, and George M. Dallas their candi- 
date for the Vice-Presidenc)'. They were 
elected by a large majoritv, and were in- 
augurated March 4, 1845. 

President Polk formed an able cabinet, 
consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J. 
Walker, William L. Marcy, George Ban- 
croft, Cave Johnson and John Y. Mason. 
The Oregon boundary question was settled, 
the Department of the Interior was created, 
the low tariff oi 1846 was carried, the 
financial system of the Government was 
reorganized, the Mexican war was con- 
ducted, which resulted in the acquisition of 
California and New Mexico, and had far- 
reaching consequences upon the later fort- 
unes of the republic. Peace was made. 
We had wrested from Mexico territory 
equal to four times the empire of France, 
and five times that of Spain. In the prose- 
cution of this war we expended 20,000 
lives and more than $ioo,ooo,(XX). Of this 
money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

Declining to seek a renomination, Mr. 
Polk retired from the Presidency March 4, 
1849, when he was succeeded by General 
Zachary Taylor. He retired to Nashville, 
and died there June 19, 1849, in the fifty- 
fourth year of his age. His funeral was at- 
tended the following day, in Nashville, with 
every demonstration of respect. He left 
no children. Without being possessed of 
extraordinary talent, Mr. Polk was a capable 
administrator of public affairs, and irre- 
proachable in private life. 



58 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




r(^?r«^«^»^'^«^«^«^3t 




ACHARY TAY- 
LOR, the twelfth 
President of the 
United States, 
1 849-' so, was born 
in Orange County, 
Virginia, Septem- 
1784. His father, 
Richard Taylor, was Colo- 
nel of a Virginia regiment 
in the Revolutionary war, 
and removed to Kentucky 
in 1785 ; purchased a large 
plantation near Louisville 
and became an influential cit- 
izen ; was a member of the convention that 
framed the Constitution of Kentucky; served 
in both branches of the Legislature ; was 
Collector of the port of Louisville under 
President Washington ; as a Presidential 
elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon- 
roe and Clay; died January 19,1829. 

Zachary remained on his father's planta- 
tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he 
was appointed First Lieutenant in the 
Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc- 
casioned by the death of his elder brother, 
Hancock. Up to this point he had received 
but a limited education. 

Joining his regiment at New Orleans, lie 



was attacked with yellow fever, with nearly 
fatal termination. In November, 1810, he 
was promoted to Captain, and in the sum- 
mer of 18 1 2 he was in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash 
River, near the present site of Terre Haute, 
his successful defense of which with but a 
handful of men against a large force of 
Indians which had attacked him was one of 
the first marked military achievements of 
the war. He was then brevetted Major, 
and in 18 14 promoted to the full rank. 

During the remainder of the war Taylor 
was active!}' employed on the W^estern 
frontier. In the peace organization of 1815 
he was retained as Captain, but soon after 
resigned and settled near Louisville. In 
May, 1816, however, he re-entered the army 
as Major of the Third Infantry ; became 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry 
in 1 8 19, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy 
of the First Infantry, of which he had been 
Lieutenant-Colonel since 1821. On different 
occasions he had been called to Washington 
as member of a military board for organiz- 
ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the 
Government with his knowledge in the 
organization of the Indian Bureau, having 
for many years discharged the duties of 
Indian agent over large tracts of Western 




~7x^,^:>/i<:=?o-'ryy,^^ 



ZA CHA R 2' TA YL GR. 



7i 



country. He served through the Black 
Hawk war in 1832, and in 1837 was ordered 
to take command in Florida, then the scene 
of war with the Indians. 

In 1846 he was transferred to the com- 
mand of the Army of the Southwest, from 
which he was relieved the same year at his 
own request. Subsequently he was sta- 
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts 
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work 
had been built under his direction in 1822. 

May 28, iS-ij, he received a dispatch from 
the Secretary of War informing him of the 
receipt of information by the President 
" that Texas would shortly accede to the 
terms of annexation," in which event he 
was instructed to defend and protect her 
from " foreign invasion and Indian incur- 
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation 
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus 
Chnsti, where his force was increased to 
some 4,000. 

Taylor was brevetted Major-Gencral May 
28, and a month later, June 29, 1846, his full 
commission to that grade was issued. After 
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced 
in September on Monterey, which city ca- 
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist- 
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters. 
The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by 
way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in 
command, was now determined upon by 
the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor 
was about to resume active operations, he 
received orders to send the larger part of 
his force to reinforce the army of General 
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently 
reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro- 
viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo 
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of 
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In 
this weakened condition, however, he was 
destined to achieve his greatest victory. 
Confidently relying upon his strength at 
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long 
time, Santa Anna directed his entire army 



against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then 
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's 
more formidable invasion. The battle of 
Buena Vista was fought February 22 and 
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of 
Congress and a gold medal, and " Old 
Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given, 
him in the army, became a household word. 
He remained in quiet possession of the 
Rio Grande Valley until November, when 
he returned to the United States. 

In the Whig convention which met at 
Philadelphia, June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi- 
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate of 
the Whig party for President, over Henry 
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster. 
In November Ta3'lor received a majority 
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of 
1,360,752, against 1,219,962 for Cass and 
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Burcn and 
Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated 
March 4, 1849. 

The free and slave States being then equal 
in number, the struggle for supremacy on 
the part of the leaders in Congress was 
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849 
California adopted in convention a Consti- 
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders. 
Taylor advocated the immediate admission 
of California with her Constitution, and the 
postponement of the question as to the other 
Territories until they could hold conven- 
tions and decide for themselves whether 
slavery should exist within their borders. 
This policy ultimately prevailed through 
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of 
Henry Clay ; but not during the life of the 
brave soldier and patriot statesman. July 
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious 
fever, which proved fatal, his death occur- 
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters 
married Colonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju- 
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida 
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during 
his Presidency. Another daughter was 
married to Jefferson Davis. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UMTED STATES. 



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I LLARD FILL- 
MORE, the thir- 
st,' teeiith President 
of the United 
States, i850-'3, was 
born in Summer 
Hill, Cayuga 
County, New York, Janu- 
ary 7, i8oo. He was of 
New England ancestry, and 
his educational advantages 
were limited. He earl\- 
learned the clothiers' trade, 
but spent all his leisure time 
in study. At nineteen years 
of age he was induced by 
Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade 
and commence the study of law. Upon 
learning that the young man was entirely 
destitute of means, he took him into his 
own office and loaned him such money as 
he needed. That he might not be heavily 
burdened with debt, young Fillmore taught 
school during the winter months, and in 
various other ways helped himself along. 
At the age of twenty-three he was ad- 
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and 
commenced the practice of his profession 
in the village of Aurora, situated on the 



eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825 
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter 
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great 
moral worth. In 1S25 he took his seat in 
the House of Assembl\- of his native State, 
as Representative from Erie County, 
whither he had recently moved. 

Though he had never taken a very 
active part in politics his vote and his sym- 
pathies were with the Whig party. The 
State was then Democratic, but his cour- 
tesy, ability and integrity won the respect 
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected 
to a seat in the United States Congress. 
At the close of his term he returned to his 
law practice, and in two years more he was 
again elected to Congress. 

He now began to have a national reputa- 
tion. His labors were very arduous. To 
draft resolutions in the committee room, 
and then to defend them against the most 
skillful opponents on the floor of the House 
requires readiness of mind, mental resources 
and skill in debate such as few possess. 
Weary with these exhausting labors, and 
pressed by the claims of his private affairs, 
Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu- 
ents and declined to be a candidate for re- 
election. Notwithstanding this communi- 




.^y^^-AX/./j.^c-^ t/^^C^'i,<.^<ru) 



MTLLARD FILLMORE. 



75 



cation his friends met in convention and 
renominated him by acclamation. Though 
gratified by this proof of their appreciation 
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and 
returned to his home. 

In 1847 ^Ii"- Fillmore was elected to the 
important office of comptroller of the State. 
In entering upon the very responsible duties 
which this situation demanded, it was nec- 
essar)' for him to abandon his profession, 
and he removed to the city of Albany. In 
this year, also, the Whigs were looking 
around to find suitable candidates for the 
President and Vice-President at the ap- 
proaching election, and the names of Zach- 
ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rall3-ing cry of the Whigs. On the 4th 
of March, 1849, General Taylor was inaug- 
urated President and Millard Fillmore 
Vice-President of the United States. 

The great question of slavery had as- 
sumed enormous proportions, and perme- 
ated every subject that was brought before 
Congress. It was evident that the strength 
of our institutions was to be severely tried. 
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by 
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore 
became President of the United States. 
The agitated condition of the country 
brought questions of great delicacy before 
him. He was bound by his oath of office 
to execute the laws of the United States. 
One of these laws was understood to be, 
that if a slave, escaping from bondage, 
should reach a free State, the United States 
was bound to do its utmost to capture him 
and return him to his master. Most Chris- 
tian men loathed this law. President Fill- 
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see 
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies 
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas, 
and annex it to the United States. Presi- 
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his 
exalted station against the atrocious enter- 
prise. 

Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to 



contend with, since the opposition had a 
majority in both Houses. He did every- 
thing in his power to conciliate the South, 
but the pro-slavery party in that section 
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran. 
sient conciliation. The population of the 
free States was so rapidly increasing over 
that of the slave States, that it was inevita- 
ble that the power of the Government 
should soon pass into the hands of the free 
States. The famous compromise measures 
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin- 
istration, and the Japan expedition was 
sent out. 

March 4, 1853, having served one term, 
President Fillmore retired from office. He 
then took a long tour through the South, 
where he met with quite an enthusiastic 
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al- 
luding to the rapid growth of the country, 
he said: 

" Canada is knocking for admission, and 
Mexico would be glad to come in, and 
without saying whether it would be right 
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re- 
ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of 
this Government to embrace the whole 
North American Continent." 

In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe 
where he was received with those marked 
attentions which his position and character 
merited. Returning to this country in 
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency 
by the "Know-Nothing" party. Mr. Bu- 
chanan, the Democratic candidate was 
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore 
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur- 
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly 
silent. It was general!}' supposed, how- 
ever, that his sympathy was with the -South- 
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the 
conflict without any words of cheer to the 
one party or the other. For this reason 
he was forgotten by both. He died of 
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 
1874. 



76 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 




S^^ 



Fpi]I^mi] PIERCE. 





RANKLIN PIERCE, 
the fourteenth Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, was born in 
Hillsborough, New 
Hampshire, Novem- 
ber 23, 1804. His 
father. Governor 
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, a man of 
rigid integrity ; was for sev- 
eral 3'ears in the State Legis- 
lature, a member of the Gov- 
ernor's council and a General 
of the militia. 
Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu- 
ments of his father, enforced by strong and 
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It 
was in the days of intense political excite- 
ment, when, all over the New England 
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar- 
rayed so fiercely against each (jther. 

In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at 
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824, 
and commenced the study of law in the 
office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin- 
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted 
to the bar. He practiced with great success 
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served 



in the State Legislature four years, the last 
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the 
House by a very large vote. 

In 1833 he was elected a member of Con- 
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com- 
menced his administration. 

In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means 
Appleton, a lady admirably fitted to adorn 
every station with which her husband was 
honored. Three sons born to them all 
found an early grave. 

Upon his accession to office. President 
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen- 
eral of the United States, but the ofifer was 
declined in consequence of numerous pro- 
fessional engagements at home and the 
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health. 
About the same time he also declined the 
nomination for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic party. 

The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce 
into the arm)'. Receiving the appointment 
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport. Rhode 
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during 
this war, and distinguished himself by his 
bravery, skill and excellent judgment. 
When he reached his home in his native 
State he was enthusiastically received by 





-"/^/^lyl/A^ 




FRAnULIN PIERC&. 



I-} 



the advocates of the war, and coldly by its 
opponents. He resumed the practice of his 
profession, frequently taking an active part 
in political questions, and giving his sup- 
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo- 
rratic party. 

June i2, 1852, the Democratic convention 
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidency. For four days they 
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal- 
lotmgs no one had received the requisite 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been 
thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then 
the Virginia delegation brought forward 
his name. There were fourteen more bal- 
lotings, during which General Pierce 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth 
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other 
candidates eleven. General Winiield Scott 
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce 
was elected with great unanimit>'. Only 
four States — \'ermont, Massachusetts, Ken- 
tuck}' and Tennessee — cast their electoral 
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was 
inaugurated President of the United States, 
and William R. King, Vice-President. 

President Pierce's cabinet consisted of 
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson 
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel- 
land, James Campbell and Caleb Cushing. 

At the demand of slavery the Missouri 
Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter- 
ritories of the Union were thrown open to 
slavery. The Territory of Kansas, west of 
Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainly 
from the North. According to law, they 
were about to meet and decide whether 
slavery or freedom should be the law of 
that realm. Slavery in Missouri and 
other Southern States rallied her armed 
lesfions, marched them into Kansas, took 
possession of the polls, drove away the 
citizens, deposited their own votes by 
handfuls, went through the farce of count- 
ing them, and then declared that, by an 
overwhelming majority, slavery was estab- 



lished in Kansas. These facts nobody 
denied, and yet President Pierce's adminis- 
tration felt bound to respect the decision 
obtained by such votes. The citizens of 
Kansas, the majority of whom were free- 
State men, met in convention and adopted 
the following resolve : 

"Resolved, That the body of men who, 
for the past two months, have been passing 
laws for the people of our Territory, 
moved, counseled and dictated to by the 
demagogues of other States, are to us a 
foreign body, representing only the lawless 
invaders who elected them, and not the 
people of this Territory ; that we repudiate 
their action as the monstrous consummation 
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud 
iniparalleled in the history of the Union." 

The free-State people of Kansas also sent 
a petition to the General Government, im- 
ploring its protection. In reply the Presi- 
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that 
Legislature thus created must be recog- 
nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan- 
sas, and that its laws were binding upon 
the people, and that, if necessary, the whole 
force of the Governmental arm would be 
put forth to inforce those laws. 

James Buchanan succeeded him in the 
Presidenc}^ and, March 4, 1857, President 
Pierce retired to his home in Concord, 
New Hampshire. When the Rebellion 
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast 
to the principles he had always cherished, 
and gave his sympathies to the pro-slavery 
party, with which he had ever been allied. 
He declined to do anything, either by 
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands of 
the National Government. He resided in 
Concord until his death, which occurred in 
October, 1869. He was one of the most 
genial and social of men, generous to 
a fault, and contributed liberally of his 
moderate means for the alleviation of suf- 
fering and want. He was an honored 
communicant of the Episcopal church. 



PJfliSIDENTS OF THE UXITED STATES. 





'AMES BUCHANAN, the 
fifteenth President of the 
United States, i857-'6i, 
was born in FrankHn 
Count y, Pennsylvania, 
April 23, 1791. The 
place where his father's 
cabin stood was called 
Stony Batter, and it was 
situated in a wild, romantic 
spot, in a gorge of mount- 
ains, with towering sum- 
mits rising all around. He 
was of Irish ancestry, his 
father having emigrated in- 
1783, with very little prop- 
erty, save his own strong arms. 

James remained in his secluded home for 
eight years enjoying very few social or 
intellectual advantages. His parents were 
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli- 
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer- 
cersburg, where James was placed in 
school and commenced a course in English, 
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid 
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College 
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution, and was 
able to master the most abstruse subjects 
with facility. In 1809 he graduated with 
the highest honors in his class. 

He was then eighteen years of age, tall. 



graceful and in vigorous health, fond of 
athletic sports, an unerring shot and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal 
spirits. He immediately commenced the 
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and 
was admitted to the bar in 181 2. He rose 
very rapidly in his profession and at once 
took undisputed stand with the ablest law- 
yers of the State. When but twenty-six 
years of age, unaided b}' counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 
one of the Judges of the State, who was 
tried upon articles of impeachment. At 
the age of thirty it was generally admitted 
that he stood at the head of the bar, and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had 
a more extensive or lucrative practice. 

In 1812, just after Mr. Buchanan had 
entered upon the practice of the law, our 
second war with England occurred. With 
all his powers he sustained the Govern- 
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros- 
ecution of the war; and even enlisting as a 
private soldier to assist in repelling the 
British, wlio had sacked Washington and 
were threatening Baltimore. He was at 
that time a Federalist, but when the Con- 
stitution was adopted by both parties, 
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal- 
ists; we are all Republicans." 

The opposition of the Federalists to the 
war with England, and the alien and sedi- 





tZ^y/zf^ 




^^ 



71^-^^^ 



■^^^ 



'\ 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



03 



tion laws of John Adams, brought the party 
into dispute, and the name of Federalist 
became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan ahnost 
immediately upon entering Congress began 
to incline more and more to the Repub- 
licans. In the stormy Presidential election 
of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford 
and John Quincy Adams were candidates, 
Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen- 
eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the 
administration of Mr. Adams. 

Upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan, 
minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1833 
he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met as his associates, 
Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He 
advocated the measures proposed by Presi- 
dent Jackson of making reprisals against 
France, and defended the course of the Pres- 
ident in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removals from office of those who were not 
the supporters of his administration. Upon 
this question he was brought into direct col- 
lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion 
of the question respecting the admission of 
Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr. 
Buchanan defined his position by saying: 

" The older I grow, the more I am in- 
clined to be what is called a State-rights 
man." 

M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work 
upon " Democracy in America," foresaw 
the trouble which was inevitable from the 
doctrine of Stale sovereignty as held by 
Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con- 
vinced that the National Government was 
losing that strength which was essential 
to its own existence, and that the States 
were assuming powers which threatened 
the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan 
received the book in the Senate and de- 
clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be 
groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the 
Presidential chair and see State after State, 
in accordance with his own views of State 



rights, breaking from the Union, thus 
crumbling our Republic into ruins; while 
the unhappy old man folded his arms in 
despair, declaring that the National Consti- 
tution invested him with no power to arrest 
the destruction. 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi- 
dency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of 
State, and as such took his share of the 
responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi- 
can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad- 
ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri- 
vate life; but his intelligence, and his great 
ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert 
a powerful influence in National affairs. 

Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with 
the mission to England. In the year 1856 
the National Democratic convention nomi- 
nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. 
The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever en- 
gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. 
Buchanan was inaugurated President. His 
cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb, 
J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp- 
son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black. 

The disruption of the Democratic party, 
in consequence of the manner in which the 
issue of the nationality of slavery was 
pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at 
the National convention, held at Charleston 
in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr. 
Buchanan's successor, when the majority 
of Southern delegates withdrew upon the 
passage of a resolution declaring that the 
constitutional status of slavery should be 
determined by the Supreme Court. 

In the next Presidential canvass Abra- 
ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo- 
nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration. 
Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington 
long enough to see his successor installed 
and then retired to his home in Wheatland. 
He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven 
years. 



«4 



PUBaiDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 








B R A H A M LIN- 
COLN, the sixteenth 
President of the 
United States, i86i-'5, 
was born February 
12, 1809, in Larue 
(then Hardin) County, 
Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan 
Creek, three miles west of 
Hudgensville. His parents 
were Thomas and Nancy 
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an- 
cestry and early years the little 
that is known may best be 
given in his own language : " My 
parents were both born in Virginia, of un- 
distinguished families — second families, per- 
haps 1 should say. My mother, who died 
in m}' tenth year, was of a family of the 
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain 
in Adams, and others in Macon County, 
Illinois. My paterna' grandfather, Abra- 
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge 
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or 
1782, where, a year or two later, he was 
killed by Indians — not in battle, but by 
stealth, when he was laboring to open a 
farm in the forest. His ancestors, who were 
Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks 
County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden- 



tify them with the New England family of 
the same name ended in nothing more defi- 
nite than a similarity of Christian names in 
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor- 
decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like. 
My father, at the death of his father, was 
but six years of age, and he grew up, liter- 
ally, without education. He removed from 
Kentuck)' to what is now Spencer County, 
Indiana, in m)' eighth year. We reached 
our new home about the time the State came 
into the Union. It was a wild region, with 
bears and other wild animals still in the 
woods. There I grew to manhood. 

" There were some schools, so called, but 
no qualification was ever required of a 
teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher- 
in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup- 
posed to understand Latin, happened to 
sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked 
upon as a wizard. There was absolutely 
nothing to excite ambition for education. 
Of course, when I came of age I did not 
know much. Still, somehow, I could read, 
write and cipher to the rule of three, and 
that was all. I have not been to school 
since. The little advance I now have upon 
this store of education I have picked up 
from time to time under the pressure of 
necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which 




tzP^- 




a-i 



(2^,,/X^Z'-'>-x-Ct 



-^ 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



87 



I continued till I was twenty-two. At 
twenty-one I came to Illinois and passed 
the first year in Macon County. Then I got 
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon, 
now in Menard County, where I remained 
a year as a sort of clerk in a store. 

"Then came the Black Hawk war, and I 
was elected a Captain of volunteers — -a suc- 
cess which gave me more pleasure than an}' 
I have had since. I went the campaign, 
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the 
same year (1832) and was beaten, the only 
time I have ever been beaten by the people. 
The ne.xt and three succeeding biennial 
elections I was elected to the Legislature, 
and was never a candidate afterward. 

" During this legislative period I had 
studied law, and removed to Springfield to 
practice it. In 1846 I was elected to the 
Lower House of Congress ; was not a can- 
didate for re-election. From 1849 to i854. 
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid- 
uously than ever before. Always a Whig 
in politics, and generally on the Whig elec- 
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was 
losing interest in politics, when the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise roused nie 
again. What I have done since is pretty 
well known." 

The early residence of Lincoln in Indi- 
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio 
River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a 
half miles east of Gentryville, within the 
present township of Carter. Here his 
mother died October 5, 1818, and the next 
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush) 
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She 
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom 
Abraham was indebted for his first encour- 
agement to study. He became an eager 
reader, and the few books owned in the 
vicinity were many times perused. He 
worked frequently for the neighbors as a 
farm laborer ; was for some time clerk in a 
store at Gentryville; and became famous 
throughout that region for his athletic 



powers, his fondness for argument, his in- 
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as 
well as for mock oratory and the composi- 
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 lie 
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as 
" bow-hand " on a flatboat ; rejnovcd to 
Illinois in 1830; helped his father build a 
log house and clear a farm on the north 
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of 
Decatur, and was for some time employed 
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which 
was prominently brought forward for a 
political purpose thirty years later. 

In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his 
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on 
the Sangamon River and navigate it to 
New Orleans. The boat " stuck " on a 
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor 
through an ingenious mechanical device 
which some years later led to Lincoln's 
taking out a patent for "an improved 
method for lifting vessels over shoals." 
This voyage was memorable for another 
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal- 
treated and flogged at New Orleans was 
the origin of his deep convictions upon the 
slavery question. 

Returning from this voyage he became a 
resident for several years at New Salem, a 
recently settled village on the Sangamon, 
where he was successively a clerk, grocer, 
surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot 
to the first steamboat that ascended the 
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter- 
ested himself in local politics after his 
return from the Black Hawk war, and 
became known as an effective "stump- 
speaker." The subject of his first political 
speech was the improvement of the channel 
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on 
which he announced himself (1S32) a candi- 
date for the Legislature was his advocacy 
of this popular measure, on which subject 
his practical experience made him the high- 
est authority. 

Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a 



88 



PRES/DENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



" Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired 
that command of language and that homely 
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his 
intimate knowledge of the people from 
which he sprang, made him more than a 
match in debate for his few well-educated 
opponents. 

Admitted to the bar in 1837 he soon 
established himself at Springfield, where 
the State capital was located in 1839, 
largely through his influence; became a 
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and 
District Courts; married in 1842 a lady be- 
longing to a prominent family in Lexington, 
Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres- 
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as 
candidate for elector on the Harrison and 
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the 
United States House of Representatives 
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright. 
During his single term in Congress he did 
not attain any prominence. 

He voted for the reception of anti-slavery 
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade 
in the District of Columbia and for the 
Wilmot proviso ; but was chiefly remem- 
bered for the stand he took against the 
Mexican war. For several years there- 
after he took comparatively little interest 
in politics, but gained a leading position at 
the Springfield bar. Two or three non- 
political lectures and an eulogy on Henry 
Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation. 

In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act 
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and 
in attacking that measure he had the im- 
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well 
the motives and the record of its author, 
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu- 
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The 
latter came to Springfield in October, 1854, 
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi- 
cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti- 
Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin- 
coln had often measured his strength with 



Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be- 
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him 
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the 
opinion of those who heard it, was one of 
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer- 
tainly the most effective in his whole career. 
It took the audience by storm, and from 
that moment it was felt that Douglas had 
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly 
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for 
the United States Senate in place of General 
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855, 
and led to several ballots; but Trumbull 
was ultimately chosen. 

The second conflict on the soil of Kan- 
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be- 
gan. The result was the disruption of the 
Whig and the formation of the Republican 
party. At the Bloomington State Conven- 
tion in 1856, where the new party first 
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an 
impressive address, in which for the first 
time he took distinctive ground against 
slavery in itself. 

At the National Republican Convention 
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi- 
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for- 
ward by the Illinois delegation for the 
Vice-Presidency, and received on the first 
ballot no votes against 259 for William L, 
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the 
canvass, being on the electoral ticket. 

In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi- 
nated by the Republican State Convention 
as its candidate for the United States Senate 
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of 
acceptance used the celebrated illustration 
of a "house divided against itself" on the 
slaver)' question, which was, perhaps, the 
cause of his defeat. The great debate car- 
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois 
between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena- 
torial candidates resulted at the time in the 
election of the latter ; but being widely cir- 
culated as a campaign document, it fixed 
the attention of the country upon the 



ABRAHAM LIMCOLN. 



89 



former, as the clearest and most convinc- 
ing exponent of Republican doctrine. 

Early in 1859 he began to be named in 
Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate 
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu- 
ing year, and a political address delivered 
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru- 
ary 27, i860, followed b)' similar speeches 
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in 
New England, first made him known to the 
Eastern States in the light by which he had 
long been regarded at home. By the Re- 
publican State Convention, which met at 
Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln 
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi- 
dency. It was on this occasion that two 
rails, said to have been split by his hands 
thirty years before, were brought into the 
convention, and the incident contributed 
much to his popularit}'. The National 
Republican Convention at Chicago, after 
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward, 
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for 
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin 
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt- 
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform. 

The Democratic party having been dis- 
organized and presenting two candidates, 
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem- 
nant of the " American" party having put 
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re- 
publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln 
being elected November 6 by a large plu- 
rality, comprehending nearly all the North- 
ern States, but none of the Southern. The 
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf 
States was the immediate result, followed 
a few months later by that of the border 
slave States and the outbreak of the great 
civil war. 

The life of Abraham Lincoln became 
thenceforth merged in the history of his 
country. None of the details of the vast 
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin- 
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly 
escaping assassination by avoidii^g Balti- 



more on his way to the capital, he reached 
Washington February 23, and was inaugu- 
rated President of the United States March 
4, 1 86 1. 

In his inaugural address he said: " I hold, 
that in contemplation of universal law and 
the Constitution the Union of these States is 
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex- 
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na- 
tional governments. It is safe to assert 
that no government proper ever had a pro- 
vision in its organic law for its own termi- 
nation. I therefore consider that in view 
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union 
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability 
I shall take care, as the Constitution en- 
joins upon me, that the laws of the United 
Stages be extended in all the States. In 
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio- 
lence, and there shall be none unless it be 
forced upon the national authority. The 
power conferred to me will be used to iiold, 
occupy and possess the property and places 
belonging to the Governmeni, and to col- 
lect the duties and imports, but beyond 
what may be necessary for these objects 
there will be no invasion, no using of force 
against or among the people anywhere. In 
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countr)'- 
men, is the momentous issue of civil war. 
The Government will not assail you. You 
can have no conflict without being your- 
selves the aggressors. You have no oath 
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov- 
ernment, while I shall have the most sol- 
emn one to preserve, protect and defend 
it." 

He called to his cabinet his principal 
rivals for the Presidential nomination — ■ 
Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se- 
cured the co-operation of the Union I3emo- 
crats, headed by Douglas; called out 75,000 
militia from the several States upon the first 
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the 
Southern posts April 19; called ah extra 



90 



P/iESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



session of Congress for July 4, from which 
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and 
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McCIellan 
at the head of the Federal army on General 
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed 
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan- 
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862, 
issued a proclamation declaring the free- 
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of 
States then in rebellion from and after 
January i, 1863. This was the crowning 
act of Lincoln's career — the act by which 
he will be chiefly known through all future 
time — and it decided the war. 

October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called 
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those 
whose term of enlistment had expired ; 
made a celebrated and touching, though 
brief, address at the dedication of the 
Gettysburg military cemetery, November 
19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant 
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in- 
Chief of the armies of the United States, 
March 9, 1864; was re-elected President in 
November oT the same year, by a large 
majority over General McCIellan, with 
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice- 
President; delivered a ver)' remarkable ad- 
dress at his second inauguration, March 4, 
1865; visited the army before Richmond the 
same month; entered the capital of the Con- 
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the 
surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army, 
April 9, was actively engaged in devising 
generous plans for the reconstruction of the 
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri- 
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at 
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byjohn Wilkes 
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early 
on the following morning, April 15. Al- 
most simultaneousl)^ a murderous attack 
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre- 
tary of State. 

At noon on the 15th of April Andrew 



Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active 
measures were taken which resulted in the 
death of Booth and the execution of his 
principal accomplices. 

The funeral of President Lincoln was 
conducted with unexampled solemnity and 
magnificence. Impressive services were 
held in Washington, after which the sad 
procession proceeded over the same route 
he had traveled four years before, from 
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel- 
phia his body lay in state in Independence 
Hall, in which he had declared before his 
first inauguration "that I would sooner be 
assassinated than to give up the principles 
ot the Declaration of Independence." He 
was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near 
Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, where a 
monument emblematic of the emancipation 
of the slaves and the restoration of the 
Union mark his resting place. 

The leaders and citizens of the expiring 
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation 
at the murder of a generous political adver- 
sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn- 
ing the death of a statesman who had proved 
himself a true representative of American 
nationality. The freedmen of the South 
almost worshiped the memor}' of their de- 
liverer ; and the general sentiment of the 
great Nation he had saved awarded him a 
place in its affections, second only to that 
held by Washington. 

The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln 
have been familiarly known throughout the 
civilized world. His tall, gaunt, ungainly 
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd 
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con- 
versations overflowing in humorous and 
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu- 
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions 
of the time, are recognized as forming the 
best type of a period of American history 
now rapidly passing away. 



> 




(■^^ "^TV^^^ue^^t^ 




YJ^z-r- 



A NDUE W JOHN soy. 



95 







>tf5<f-. 









NDREWJOHNSON, 

the seventeenth Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, 1865-9, was 
born at Raleigh, 
Ik^ North Carolina, De- 
c em b e r 29, 1808. 
His father died when 
he was four years old, and in 
his eleventh 3-ear he was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor. He nev- 
tr attended school, and did 
not learn to read until late in 
his apprenticeship, when he 
suddenly acquired a passion for 
obtaining knowledge, and devoted 
all his spare time to reading. 

After working two years as a journey- 
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South 
Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green- 
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his 
trade and married. Under his wife's in- 
structions he made rapid progress in his 
education, and manifested such an intelli- 
gent interest in local politics as to be 
elected as " workingmen's candidate " al- 
derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being 
twice re-elected to each office. 

During this period he cultivated his tal- 
ents as a public speaker by taking part in a 



debating society, consisting largely of stu- 
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and 
again in 1839, ^^ ^^''"^s chosen to the lower 
liouse of the Legislature, as a Democrat. 
In 1 841 he was elected State Senator, and 
in 1843, Representative in Congress, being 
re-elected four successive periods, until 
1853, when he was chosen Governor of 
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the 
administrations of Tyler and Folk in their 
chief measures, especially the annexation 
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon 
boundary, the Mexican war, and tiic tariff 
of 1846. 

In 1855 Mr. Johnson was reelected Gov- 
ernor, and in 1857 entered the United 
States Senate, where he was conspicuous 
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the 
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the 
Pacific Railroad. He was supported by the 
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic 
convention in i860 for the Presidential 
nomination, and lent his influence to the 
Breckenridge wing of that party. 

When the election of Lincoln had 
brought about the first attempt at secession 
in December, i860, Johnson took in the 
Senate a firm attitude for tiie Union, and 
in Ma}', 1861, on returning to Tennessee, 
he was in imniincnt peril of suffering from 



9\ 



PRESIDEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



popular violence for his loj'alty to the " old 
flae." He was the leader of the Loyalists' 
convention of East Tennessee, and during 
the following winter was \er\ active in or- 
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu- 
gees from that region, his own family being 
among those compelled to leave. 

By his course in this crisis Johnson came 
prominently before the Northern public, 
and when in March, 1862, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln military Governor of 
Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, he increased in popularity- b}- the vig- 
orous and successful manner in which he 
labored to restore order, protect Union 
men and punish marauders. On the ap- 
proach of the Presidential campaign of 1 864, 
the termination of the war being plainly 
foreseen, and several Southern States being 
partially reconstructed, it was felt that the 
Vice-Presidency should be given to a South- 
ern man of conspicuous loyalty, and Gov- 
ernor Johnson was elected on the same 
platform and ticket as President Lincoln; 
and on the assassination of the latter suc- 
ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865. 
In a public speech two days later he said: 
" The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a 
crime and must be punished; that the Gov- 
ernment will not always bear with its ene- 
mies; that it is strong, not only to protect, 
but to punish. In our peaceful history 
treason has been almost unknown. The 
people must understand that it is the black- 
est of crimes, and will be punished." He 
then added the ominous sentence: " In re- 
gard to my future course, I make no prom- 
ises, no pledges." President Johnson re- 
tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited 
considerable severit)- toward traitors in his 
earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug- 
urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim- 
ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder- 
ates, and successively establishing provis- 
ional Governments in the Southern States. 



These States accordingl}' claimed represen- 
tation in Congress in the following Decem- 
ber, and the momentous question of what 
should be the policy of the victorious Union 
toward its late armed opponents was forced 
upon that body. 

Two considerations impelled the Repub- 
lican majority to reject the policy of Presi. 
dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that 
the chief magistrate intended to undo the re- 
sults of the war in regard to slavery; and, sec- 
ond, the sullen attitude of the South, which 
seemed to be plotting to regain the policy 
which arms had lost. The credentials of the 
Southern members elect were laid on the 
table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending 
the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were 
passed over the executive veto, and the two 
highest branches of the Government were 
soon in open antagonism. The action of 
Congress was characterized by the Presi- 
dent as a " new rebellion." Li July the 
cabinet was reconstructed, Messrs. Randall, 
Stanbury and Browning taking the places 
of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and 
an unsuccessful attempt was made by 
means of a general convention in Philadel- 
phia to form a new party on the basis of the 
administration policy. 

In an excursion to Chicago for the pur- 
pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu- 
ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President 
Johnson, accompanied by several members 
of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia, 
New York and Alban}-, in each of which 
cities, and in other places along the route, 
he made speeches justifying and explaining 
his own policy, and violently denouncing 
the action of Congress. 

August 12, 1867, President Johnson re- 
moved the Secretar)- of War, replacing 
him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton 
retired under protest, based upon the ten- 
ure-of-office act which had been passed the 
preceding March. The President then is- 
sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec- 



A NDRE W JOHNSON. 



9> 



tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran- 
quility and civil authority existed in and 
throughout the United States." Another 
proclamation enjoined obedience to the 
Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty 
was published September 7, relieving nearly 
all the participants in the late Rebellion 
from the disabilities thereby incurred, on 
condition of taking the oath to support the 
Constitution and the laws. 

In December Congress refused to confirm 
the removal of Secretary Stanton, who 
thereupon resumed the exercise of his of- 
fice; but February 21, 1868, President 
Johnson again attempted to remove him, 
appointing General Lorenzo Thomas in his 
place. Stanton refused to vacate his post, 
and was sustained by the Senate. 

February 24 the House of Representa- 
tives voted to impeach the President for 
" high crime and misdemeanors," and March 
5 presented eleven articles of impeachment 
on the ground of his resistance to the exe- 
cution of the acts of Congress, alleging, in 
addition to the offense lately committed, 
his public expressions of contempt for Con- 
gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma- 
tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced 
in August and September, 1866, and there- 
after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress of the United States was not a 
competent legislative body, and denying 
its power to propose Constitutional amend- 
ments. March 23 the impeachment trial 
began, the President appearing by counsel, 
and resulted in acquittal, the vote lacking 



one of the two-thirds vote required for 
conviction. 

Tlie remainder of President Johnson's 
term of office was passed without any such 
conflicts as might have been anticipated. 
He failed to obtain a nomination for re- 
election by the Democratic party, though 
receiving sixty-five votes on the first ballot. 
July 4 and December 25 new proclamations 
of pardon to the participants in the late 
Rebellion were issuec*, but were of little 
effect. On the accession ol General Grant 
to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson 
returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc- 
cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re- 
spectively for United States Senator and 
Representative, he was finall}- elected to the 
Senate in 1875, and took iiis scat in the extra 
session of March, in which his speeches 
were comparatively temperate. He died 
July 31, 1875, and was buried at Green- 
ville. 

President Johnson's administration was a 
peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should 
so soon become involved in bitter feud with 
the Republican majority in Congress was 
certainly a surprising and deplorable inci- 
dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances 
after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to 
find ample room for a charitable judgment 
of both the parties in the heated contro- 
versy, since it cannot be doubted that any 
President, even Lincoln himself, had lie 
lived, must have sacrificed a large portion 
of his popularity in carrying out atiy pos- 
sible scheme of reconstruction. 



'fi 



PJiLSIDENTH OF THE UNITED STATES. 




UiLYSSES S.,;ERRNT. 



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LYSSES SIMPSON 
GRANT, the eight- 
eenth President of the 
United States, i?>6g-'jj, 
was born April 27, 1 822, 
at Point Pleasant, 
i^ Clermont Count}', 
Ohio. His father was of Scotch 
descent, and a dealer in leather. 
At the age of seventeen he en- 
tered the Military Academy at 
West Point, and four years later 
graduated twentj'-first in a class 
of thirty-nine, receiving the 
commission of Brevet Second 
Lieutenant. He was assigned 
to the Fourlli Infantry and re- 
mained in the army eleven years. He was 
engaged in every battle of the Mexican war 
except that of Buena Vista, and received 
two brevets for gallantry. 

In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia, daughter 
of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of 
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the 
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis- 
sion in the army. For several 3ears he fol- 
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc- 
cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather 
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois. 

When the civil war broke out in 1861, 
Grant was thirtv-nine years of age, but en- 
tirely unknown to public men and without 



any personal acquaintance with great affairs. 
President Lincoln's first call for troops was 
made on the 15th of April, and on the igth 
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers 
at Galena. He also offered his services to 
the Adjutant-General of the arm}', but re- 
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois, 
however, employed him in the organization 
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five 
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the 
Twenty-first Infantry. He took command 
of his regiment in Jiuie, and reported first 
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior 
knowledge of military life rather surprised 
his superior officers, who had never before 
even heard of him, and they were thus led 
to place him on the road to rapid advance- 
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap- 
pointment having been made without his 
knowledge. He had been unanimously 
recommended by the Congressmen from 
Illinois, not one of whom had been his 
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks 
he was occupied in watching the move- 
ments of partisan forces in Missouri. 

September i he was placed in command 
of the District of Southeast Missouri, with 
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with- 
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth 
of the Tennessee River, and commanding 
tlie navigation both of that stream and oi 




^y'^.^..z:t^ 



^l/LrSSES S. GRANT. 



99 



the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky 
to the Union ; for the State Legislature, 
which had until then affected to be neutral, 
at once declared in favor of the Govern- 
ment. In November following, according 
to orders, he made a demonstration about 
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the 
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri : 
but in order to accomplish this purpose he 
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with 
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con- 
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of 
artillery and 200 prisoners. 

After repeated applications to General 
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was 
allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the 
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in 
conjunction with a naval force. The gun- 
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi- 
ately made preparations to attack Fort 
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on 
the Cumberland River. Without waiting 
for orders he moved his troops there, and 
with 15,000 men began the siege. The 
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a 
strong one, but after hard fighting on three 
successive days Grant forced an "Uncon- 
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon 
the initials of his name). The prize he capt- 
ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600 
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,- 
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night, 
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's 
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the 
first important success won by the national 
troops dirring the war, and its strategic re- 
sults were marked, as the entire States of 
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the 
National hands. Our hero was made a 
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in 
command of the District of West Ten- 
nessee. 

In March, 1862, he was ordered to move 
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, 
where the Confederates were concentrat- 
ing a large army ; but he was directed not 



to attack. His forces, now numbering 38,- 
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi- 
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the 
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more; 
but April 6 the Confederates came out from 
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant 
violently, hoping to overwhelm him before 
Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were 
beyond supporting distance, so that he was 
largely outnumbered and forced back to the 
river, where, however, he held out until 
dark, when the head of Buell's column 
came upon the field. The next day the 
Confederates were driven back to Corinth, 
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on 
both sides; Grant, being senior in rank to 
Buell, commanded on both days. Two 
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front 
and assumed command of the army. Grant 
remaining at the head of the right wing and 
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was 
evacuated by the Confederates. In July 
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and 
Grant succeeded him in command of the 
Department of the Tennessee. September 
19 the battle of luka was fought, where, 
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom- 
plete victory was obtained. 

Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved 
down into Mississippi and threatened \'icks- 
burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was 
sent by way of the river to attack that place 
in front ; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's 
surrendering H0II3' Springs to the Con- 
federates, Grant was so weakened that he 
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman 
failed to sustain his intended attack. 

In January, 1863, General Grant took 
command in person of all the troops in the 
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months 
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender 
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4, 
following, the place surrendered, with 31,- 
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi 
River thus fell permanently into the hands 
of the Government. Grant was made a 



PRESJDENTH OF IHH UNITED STATES. 



Major-General in the regular army, and in 
October following he was placed in com- 
mand of the Division of the Mississippi. 
The same month he went to Chattanooga 
and saved the Army of the Cumberland 
from starvation, and drove Bragg from that 
part of the country. This victory over- 
threw the last important hostile force west 
of the AUeghanies and opened the way for 
the National armies into Georgia and Sher- 
man's march to the sea. 

The remarkable series of successes which 
Grant had now achieved pointed him out 
as the appropriate leader of the National 
armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864, 
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created 
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he 
assumed command of the armies of the 
United States. Planning the grand final 
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia, 
Sigel into the valle}- of Virginia, and Butler 
to capture Richmond, while he fought his 
own way from the Rapidan to the James. 
The costly but victorious battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and 
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the 
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture 
any particular point. In June, 1864, the 
siege of Richmond was begun. Slierman, 
meanwhile, was marching and fighting dail}' 
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward 
Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the 
valley of Virginia, and was superseded by 
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na- 
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered 
up a force which he placed under Sheridan, 
and that commander rapidly drove Early, 
inasuccessionof battles, through the valley 
of Virginia and destroyed his army as an 
organized force. The siege of Richmond 
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks, 
but was only partially successful. The 
people of the North grew impatient, and 
even the Government advised him to 
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or 
crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he 



never wavered. He resolved to " fight it 
out on that line, if it took all summer." 

By September Sherman had made his 
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him 
on his famous " march to the sea," a route 
which the chief had designed six months 
before. He made Sherman's success possi- 
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of 
Richmond, but also by sending reinforce- 
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and 
defeated the only army which could have 
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was 
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri- 
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's 
plans. Each executed his part in the great 
design and contributed his share to the re- 
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman 
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat 
the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash- 
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him; 
and all this while General Grant was hold- 
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate 
army, near Richmond, as it were chained 
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought 
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil- 
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so 
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he 
was sent into the interior of North Caro- 
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move 
northward to join him. When all this was 
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else 
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant 
brought the cavalry leader to the front of 
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove 
Lee from his entrenchments and captured 
Richmond. 

At the beginning of the final campaign 
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in 
the lines at Richmond, besides the local 
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting 
to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force 
Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before 
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell 
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on the 
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch- 
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless 



l/LrSSES S. GRANT. 



energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows, 
and Lee at last found himself not only out- 
fought but also out-marched and out-gen- 
eraled. Being completely surrounded, he 
surrendered on the 9th of April, 1865, at 
Appomattox Court-House, in the open field, 
with 27,000 men, all that remained of his 
army. This act virtually ended the war. 
Thus, in ten days Grant had captured 
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his 
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and 
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller 
ones, captured 30,000 men in actual battle, 
and received the surrender of 27,000 more 
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an 
army of 70,000 soldiers. 

General Grant returned at once to Wash- 
ington to superintend the disbandment of 
the armies, but this pleasurable work was 
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was 
assassinated. It had doubtless been in- 
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ; 
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving 
Washington early in the evening, declined 
an invitation to accompany the President 
to the theater where the murder was com- 
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson 
President, but left Grant by far the most 
conspicuous figure in the public life of the 
countrv. He became the object of an en- 
thusiasm greater than had ever been known 
in America. Every possible honor was 
heaped upon him ; the grade of General 
was created for him by Congress; houses 
were presented to him by citizens ; towns 
were illuminated on his entrance into them ; 
and, to cap the climax, when he made his 
tour around the world, "all nations did him 
honor " as they had never before honored 
a foreigner. 

The General, as Commander-in-Chief, 
was placed in an embarrassing position by 
the opposition of President Johnson to the 
measures of Congress ; but he directly man- 
ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying 
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi- 



dent, although for a short time he had 
served in his cabinet as Secretary of War. 

Of course, everybody thought of General 
Grant as the next President of the United 
States, and he was accordingly elected as 
such in 1868 "by a large majority," and 
four years later re-elected by a much larger 
majority — the most overwhelming ever 
given by the people of this country. His first 
administration was distinguished by a ces- 
sation of the strifes which sprang from the 
war, by a large reduction of the National 
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties 
with England which had grown out of the 
depredations committed by privateers fit- 
ted out in England during the war. This 
last settlement was made by the famous 
" Geneva arbitration," which saved to this 
Government $15,000,000, but, more than all, 
prevented a war with England. "Let us 
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this 
is the most appropriate place to remark 
that above all Presidents whom this Gov- 
ernment has ever had, General Grant was 
the most non-partisan. He regarded the 
Executive office as purely and exclusively 
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect- 
ive of " politics." But every great man 
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant 
was well aware of. 

After the close of his Presidency, our 
General made his famous tour around the 
world, already referred to, and soon after- 
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward, 
of New York City, he engaged in banking 
and stock brokerage, which business was 
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him- 
self, by his rascality. By this time an in- 
curable cancer of the tongue developed 
itself in the person of the afflicted ex- 
President, which ended his unrequited life 
July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from 
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who 
was as truly the " father of this regenerated 
country" as was Washington the father of 
the infant nation. 



PJiESIDENlS OF THE UNITED STATES. 











UTHERFORD BIRCH- 
ARD HAYES, the nine- 
teenth President of 
the United States, 
i877-'8i, was born in 
Delaware, Ohio, Oc- 
tober 4, 1822. His 
ancestry can be traced as far 
back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish 
chieftains fighting side by side 
with Bahol, William Wallace 
and Robert Bruce. Both fami- 
lies belonged to the nobility, 
owned extensive estates and had 
a large following. The Hayes 
family had, for a coat of-arms, a 
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying 
eagle. There was a circle of stars about 
the eagle and above the shield, while on a 
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed 
the motto, "Recte." Misfortune overtaking 
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 
1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut. 
He was an industrious worker in wood and 
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul- 
tivated mind. His son George was born 
in Windsor and remained there during his 
life. 

Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married 
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsbury, Con- 



necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born 
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes 
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford 
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of 
President Hayes, was born in New Haven, 
in August, 1756. He was a famous black- 
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in 
Brattleboro where he established a hotel. 
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi- 
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813, 
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming- 
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male 
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch- 
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor- 
wich. Both of her grandfathers were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 

The father of President Haj'es was of a 
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that 
he might undertake. He was prosperous 
in business, a member of the church and 
active in all the benevolent enterprises of 
the town. After the close of the war of 1812 
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a 
farm near the present town of Delaware. 
His family then consisted of his wife and 
two children, and an orphan girl whom he 
had adopted. 

It was in 1817 that the family arrived at 
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his 




Ou/L^C^^A' 




KlyV^C^j-^ 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



«o5 



farm, Mr. Hayes' concluded to enter into 
business in the village. He purchased an 
interest in a distillery, a business then as re- 
spectable as it was profitable. His capital 
and recognized ability assured him the 
highest social position in the communitj'. 
He died July 22, 1822, less than three 
months before the birth of the son that was 
destined to fill the office of President of the 
United States. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was yery weak, 
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble 
at birth that he was not expected to live 
beyond a month or two at most. As the 
months went by he grew weaker and weaker 
so that the neighbors were in the habit of 
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. 
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc- 
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly 
terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous 
care of him, said to her, in a bantering way, 
"That's right! Stick to him. You have 
got him along so far, and I shouldn't won- 
der if he would really come to something 
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. 
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell 
but I shall make him President of the 
United States vet." 

The boy lived, in spite of the universal 
predictions of his speedy death; and when, 
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he 
became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. 
He was seven years old before he was 
placed in school. His education, however, 
was not neglected. His sports were almost 
wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circum- 
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that 
gentleness of disposition and that delicate 
consideration for the feelings of others 
whicli are marked traits of his character. 
At school he was ardently devoted to his 
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care- 
ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of 
his schoolmates were involved. He was 



always waiting at the school-house door 
when it opened in the morning, and never 
late in returning to his seat at recess. His 
sister Fannie was his constant companion, 
and their affection for each other excited 
the admiration of their friends. 

In 1838 young Hayes entered Kenyon 
College and graduated in 1842. He then 
began the study of law in the office of 
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health 
was now well established, his figure robust, 
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short 
time he determined to enter the law school 
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for 
two years he pursued his studies with great 
diligence. 

In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at 
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went 
into practice as an attorney-at-law with 
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he 
remained three years, acquiring but limited 
practice, and apparently unambitious of 
distinction in his profession. His bachelor 
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always 
manifested great interest in his nephew and 
rendered him assistance in boyhood, was 
now a wealthy banker, and it was under- 
stood that the young man would be his 
heir. It is possible that this expectation 
ma}' have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent 
to the attainment of wealth than he would 
otherwise have been, but he was led into no 
extravagance or vices on this account. 

In 1849 he removed to Cincinnati where 
his ambition found new stimulus. Two 
events occurring at tliis period had a pow- 
erful influence upon his subsequent life. 
One of them was his marriage to Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James 
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his 
introduction to the Cincinnati Literary 
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief 
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John 
Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes. 
The marriage was a fortunate one as every- 
body knows. Not one of all the wives of 



io6 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



our Presidents -.vas more universally ad- 
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs. 
Hayes, and no one has done more than she 
to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. 

In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the 
office of Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, but declined to accept the nomina- 
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the 
office of City Solicitor. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, 
he was eager to take up arms in the defense 
of his country. His military life was 
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he 
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third 
Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was 
sent to Virginia. October 15, 1 861, he was 
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, 
and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel 
of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but 
refused to leave his old comrades. He was 
wounded at the battle of South Mountain, 
and suffered severely, being unable to enter 
upon active duty for several weeks. No- 
vember 30,. 1862, he rejoined his regiment as 
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo- 
ber 15. 

December 25, 1862, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Kanawha division, and for 
meritorious service in several battles was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also 
brevetted Major-General for distinguished 



services in 1864. He was wounded four 
times, and five horses were shot from 
under him. 

Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics, 
and was among the first to unite with the 
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864 
he was elected to Congress from che Sec- 
ond Ohio District, which had always been 
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098. 
In 1 866 he was renominated for Congress 
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he 
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur- 
man, the Democratic candidate, and re- 
elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard 
died, leaving his large estate to General 
Hayes. 

In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi- 
dency. His letter of acceptance excited 
the admiration of the whole country. He 
resigned the office of Governor and retired 
to his home in Fremont to await the result 
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest 
he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His 
Presidency was characterized by compro- 
mises with all parties, in order to please as 
many as possible. The close of his Presi- 
dential term in 1881 was the close of his 
public life, and since then he has remained 
at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso- 
nian retirement from public notice, in strik- 
ing contrast with most others of the world's 
notables. 





i 



yAA/ES A. GARFIELD. 



109 





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AMES A. GARFIELD, 
twentieth President of 
the United States, 1881, 
was born November 19, 
1 83 1, in tlie wild woods 
o f Cuyaiioga Count)', 
Ohio. His parents were 
Abram and EHza (Ballon) 
Garfield, who were of New 
England ancestry. The 
senior Garfield was an in- 
dustrious farmer, as the 
rapid improvements which 
appeared on his place at- 
tested. The residence was 
the familiar pioneer log cabin, 
and the household comprised the parents 
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas, 
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the 
father died, and the care of the house- 
hold consequently devolved upon young 
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in- 
debted for the educational and other ad- 
vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in 
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

As the subject of our sketch grew up, he, 
too, was industrious, both in mental and 
physical labor. He worked upon the farm, 
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at 
any other odd job that would aid in support 
of the family, and in the meantime made the 



most of his books. Ever afterward he was 
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for- 
got the friends of his youth. The poorest 
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he 
always exhibited the character of a modest 
gentleman. 

Until he was about sixteen j'ears of age, 
James's highest ambition was to be a lake 
captain. To this his mother was strongl)^ 
opposed, but she finally consented to his 
going to Cleveland to carry out his long- 
cherished design, with the understanding, 
however, that he should try to obtain some 
other kind of employment. He walked all 
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first 
visit to the city. After making many ap- 
plications for work, including labor on 
board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he 
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin, 
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl- 
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he 
quit this and returned home. He then at- 
tended the seminary at Chester for about 
three years, and next he entered Hiram In- 
stitute, a school started in 1850 by the 
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was 
a member. In order to pa}' his way he 
assumed the duties of janitor, and at tmies 
taught school. He soon completed the cur- 
riculum there, and then entered Williams 
College, at which he graduated in 1856, 
taking one of the highest honors of his class. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi- 
dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous 
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally 
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a 
man of strong moral and religious convic- 
tions, and as soon as he began to look into 
politics, he saw innumerable points that 
could be improved. He also studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1859. 
November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married 
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after- 
ward proved a worthy consort in all the 
stages of her husband's career. They had 
seven children, five of whom are still living. 

It was in 1859 that Garfield made his 
first political speeches, in Hiram and the 
neighboring villages, and three j'cars later 
he began to speak at county mass-meetings, 
being received everywhere with popular 
favor. He was elected to the State Senate 
this year, taking his seat in Januar}-, i860. 

On the breaking out of the war of the 
Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to 
fight as he had talked, and accordingly he 
enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving 
his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio \^oIun- 
teer Infantry, August 14, that year. He 
was immediately thrown into active service, 
and before he had ever seen a gun fired in 
action he was placed in command of four 
regiments of infantr)' and eight companies 
of cavalry, charged with the work of driv- 
ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey 
Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky. 
This task was speedily accomplished, al- 
though against great odds. On account of 
his success, President Lincoln commissioned 
him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862; 
and, as he had been the youngest man in 
the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army. 
He was with General Buell's army at Shi- 
loh, also in its operations around Corinth 
and its march through Alabama. Next, he 
was detailed as a member of the general 



court-martial for the trial of General Fitz- 
John Porter, and then ordered to report to 
General Rosecrans, when he was assigned 
to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili- 
tary history closed with his brilliant ser- 
vices at Chickamauga, where he won the 
stars of Major-General. 

In the fall of 1862, without an)' effort on 
his part, he was elected as a Representative 
to Congress, from that section of Ohio 
which had been represented for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and 
Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the 
youngest member of that body, and con- 
tinued there by successive re-elections, as 
Representative or Senator, until he was 
elected President in 1880. During his life 
in Congress he compiled and published by 
his speeches, there and elsewhere, more 
information on the issues of the day, espe- 
cially on one side, than any other member. 

June 8, 1880, at the National Republican 
Convention held in Chicago, General Gar- 
field was nominated for the Presidency, in 
preference to the old war-horses, Blaine 
and Grant ; and although many of the Re- 
publican party felt sore over the failure of 
their respective heroes to obtain the nomi- 
nation, General Garfield was elected by a 
fair popular majority. He was duly in- 
augurated, but on Juh' 2 following, before 
he had fairly got started in his administra- 
tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented 
assassin. After ver\' painful and protracted 
suffering, he died September 19, 18S1, la- 
mented by all the American people. Never 
before in the history of this country had 
anything occurred which so nearly froze 
the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as 
the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer. 
He was duly tried^ convicted and put to 
death on the gallows. 

The lamented Garfield was succeeded by 
the Vice-President, General Arthur, who 
seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy 
inaugurated by his predecessor. 




/ 




CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



"3 





HESTER ALLEN 
ARTHUR, the twen- 
ty-first Chief Execu- 
tive of this growing 
republic, i88i-'5, was 
born in Franklin 
County, Vermont, 
October 5, 1830, the eldest of a 
famil}- of two sons and five 
daughters. His father, Rev. 
Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist 
clergyman, immigrated to this 
countr}^ from Count}-^ Antrim, 
Ireland, in his eighteenth year, 
and died in 1875, in Newton- 
ville, near Albany, New York, 
after serving many years as a successful 
minister. Chester A. was educated at that 
old, conservative institution. Union Col- 
lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he 
excelled in all his studies. He graduated 
there, with honor, and then struck out in 
life for himself by teaching school for about 
two years in his native State. 

At the expiration of that time young 
Arthur, witli $500 in his purse, went to the 
city of New York and entered the law office 
of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In 
due time he was admitted to the bar, when 
he formed a partnership with his intimate 



friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar- 

diner, with the intention of practicing law 
at some point in the West ; but after spend- 
ing about three months in the Westeri; 
States, in search of an eligible place, they 
returned to New York City, leased a room, 
exhibited a sign of their business and al- 
most immediately enjoyed a paying patron- 
age. 

At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's 
business prospects were so encouraging 
that he concluded to take a wife, and ac- 
cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu- 
tenant Herndon, of the United States Navy, 
who had been lost at sea. To the widow 
of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, 
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery 
during the occasion in which he lost his 
life. Mrs. Artnvir died shortly before her 
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi- 
dency, leaving two children. 

Mr. Arthur obtained consideiable celeb- 
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon 
suit, which was brought to recover posses- 
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared 
free b}' the Superior Court of New York 
City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who 
was nominated by the " Straight Demo- 
crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi- 
dency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem- 



114 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



nion, of Virginia, to recover the negroes, 
but he lost the suit. In this case, however, 
Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M. 
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon 
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored 
woman was ejected from a street car in 
New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car 
company in her behalf and recovered $500 
damages. Immediately afterward all the 
car companies in the city issued orders to 
their employes to admit colored persons 
upon their cars. 

Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well 
as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to 
prominence in the party of freedom; and 
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to 
the first National Republican Convention. 
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge 
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the 
State of New York, and then Engineer-in- 
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861, 
the first 3'ear of the war, he was made In- 
spector-General, and next, Quartermaster- 
General, in both which offices he rendered 
great service to the Government. After 
the close of Governor Morgan's term he 
resumed the practice of law, forming first a 
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse- 
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. 
Each of these gentlemen were able lawyers. 

November 21, 1872, General Arthur was 
appointed Collector of the Port of New 
York by President Grant, and he held the 
office until July 20, 1878. 

The next event of prominence in General 
Arthur's career was his nomination to the 
Vice-Presidency of the United States, under 
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the 
National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar- 
field was placed at the head of the ticket. 
Both the convention and the campaign that 
followed were noisy and exciting. The 
friends of Grant, constituting nearly half 



the convention, were exceedingly persist- 
ent, and were sorely disappomted over 
their defeat. At the head ol the Demo- 
cratic ticket was placed a ver}' strong and 
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were 
elected b}' a respectable plurality of the 
popular vote. The 4th of March following, 
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu- 
rated ; but within four months the assassin's 
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of 
General Garfield, whose life terminated 
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, 
ex officio, was obliged to take the chief 
reins of government. Some misgivings 
were entertained by many in this event, as 
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe 
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the 
Republican party ; but President Arthur 
had both the ability and the good sense to 
allay all fears, and he gave the restless, 
critical American people as good an ad- 
ministration as they had ever been blessed 
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti- 
sanism ever characterized any feature of 
his public service. He ever maintained a 
high sense of every individual right as well 
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood 
so high that his successor. President Cleve- 
land, though of opposing politics, expressed 
a wish in his inaugural address that he 
could only satisfy the people with as good 
an administration. 

But the day of civil service reform had 
come in so far, and the corresponding re- 
action against "third-termism" had en- 
croached so far even upon "second-term" 
service, that the Republican party saw fit 
in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- 
dent. Only by this means was General 
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- 
ington. On his retirement from the Presi- 
dency, JVIarfli, 1885, he engaged in the 
practice of law at .New York City, where be 
died November 18, 1886. 




^^_. 



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r 



anovF.n Cleveland. 



117 






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ROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- 
second President of the 
United States, 1885—, 
was born in Caldwell, 
Essex County, New 
Jersey , March 1 8, 
The house in which he 
born, a small two-story 



1837- 

was 

wooden building, is still stand- 
ing. It was the parsonage of 
the Presbyterian church, of 
which his lather, Richard 
Cleveland, at the time was 
pastor. The family is of New 
England origin, and for two centuries has 
contributed to the professions and to busi- 
ness, men who have reflected honor on the 
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve- 
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in 
Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to 
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate 
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose 
house he died. He left a large family of 
children, who in time married and settled 
in different parts of New England. A 
grandson was one of the small American 
force that fought the British at Bunker 
Hill. He served with gallantry through- 
out the Revolution and was honorably 
discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in 
the Continental army. Another grandson, 
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron 



■p»-^^^^ 



'^1^ 



Cleveland, who was distinguished as a 
writer and member of the Connecticut 
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand- 
father. William Cleveland became a silver- 
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- 
quired by industry some property and sent 
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of 
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where 
he graduated in 1824. During a year spent 
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after 
graduation, he met and fell in love with a 
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy 
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. 
He was earning his own way in tiie world 
at the time and was unable to marry; but 
in three years he completed a course of 
preparation for the ministry, secured a 
church in Windham, Connecticut, and 
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he 
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he 
preached for nearly two years, when he 
was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey, 
where was born Grover Cleveland. 

When he was three years old the family 
moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, 
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived 
until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, 
healthful life of a country bo)'. His frank, 
generous manner made him a favorite 
among his companions, and their respect 
was won by the good qualities in the germ 
which his manhood developed. He at- 
tended the district school of the village and 



ii8 



PJfSS/DEiVrS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



was for a short time at the academy. His 
lather, however, believed that boj-s should 
be taught to labor at an early age, and be- 
fore he had completed the course of study 
at the academy he began to work in the 
village store at $50 for the first year, and the 
promise of $100 for the second year. His 
work was well done and the promised in- 
crease of pay was granted the second year. 

Meanwhile his father and family had 
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton 
College, where his father acted as agent to 
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, 
preaching in the churches of the vicinity. 
Hither Grover came at his father's request 
shortly after the beginning of his second 
year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed 
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After 
three years spent in this town, the Rev. 
Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- 
lage church of Holland Patent. He had 
preached here only a month when he was 
suddenly stricken down and died without 
an hour's warning. The death of the father 
left the family in straitened circumstances, 
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his 
salary- of $1,000 per year, which was not 
required for the necessary expenses of liv- 
ing, upon the education of his children, of 
whom there were nine, Grover being the 
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- 
ton College, but the death of his father 
made it necessary for him to earn his own 
livelihood. For the first year (i853-'4) he 
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in 
the Institution for the Blind in New York 
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was 
for many years the patron. In the winter 
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent 
where the generous people of that place, 
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a 
home for his mother, and in the following 
spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the 
West to earn his living. 

Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to 
an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known 



stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a tew 
miles distant. He communicated his plans 
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of 
the West, and finally induced the enthusi- 
astic bo}' of seventeen to remain with him 
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded 
short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer- 
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to 
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he 
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen 
& Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a 
few months without pay, was paid $4 a 
week — an amount barely sufficient to meet 
the necessarv expenses of his board in the 
! family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with 
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time 
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle 
with the world. He took his breakfast bv 
candle-light with the drovers, and went at 
once to the office where the whole da\- was 
spent in work and study. Usually he re- 
turned again at night to resume reading 
which had been interrupted by the duties 
of the da}-. Gradually his employers came 
to recognize the ability, trustworthiness 
and capacity for hard work in their young 
employe, and by the time he was admitted 
to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- 
fidence. A year later he was made confi- 
dential and managing clerk, and in the 
course of three years more his salary had 
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- 
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie 
Count}' by the district attorney, the Hon. 
C. C. Torrance. 

Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until 
he was chosen Governor he always made 
it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the 
polls and give out ballots to Democratic 
voters. During the first year of his term 
as assistant district attorney, the Democrats 
desired especially to carry the Board of Su- 
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which 
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 
majority, but at the urgent request of the 



GliO \ER CL E VELA ND. 



119 



party Grover Cleveland consented to be 
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, 
and came within thirteen votes of an elec- 
cion. The three years spent in the district 
attorney's office were devoted to assiduous 
labor and the extension of his professional 
attainments. He then formed a law part- 
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, 
ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name 
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk 
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- 
ders, and he soon won a good standing at 
the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. 
Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- 
Senator A. P. Laning and e.x-Assistant 
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- 
som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- 
land & Folsom. During these years he 
began to earn a moderate professional in- 
come; but the larger portion of it was sent 
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent 
to whose support he had contributed ever 
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie 
County, i870-'4, and then resumed the 
practice of law, associating himself with the 
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell. 



The firm was strong and popular, and soon 
commanded a large and lucrative practice. 
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass 
in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & 
Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was 
added to the firm. 

In the autumn election of 1881 he was 
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of 
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given 
a candidate for mayor — and the Democratic 
city ticket was successful, although the 
Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 
majority for their State ticket. Grover 
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully 
justified the confidence reposed in him by 
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the 
great vote he received. 

The Democratic State Convention met 
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi. 
nated Grover Cleveland for Governor 
on the third ballot and Cleveland was 
elected by 192,000 majoritv. In the fall of 
1 884 he was elected President of the United 
States by about 1,000 popular majority, 
in New York State, and he was accordingly 
inaugurated the 4th of March following. 



PKESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



r-W 




iiS^S 



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a^t^rs 



BENJAMIN HAI^I^ISON. 



■^^^^^-^-^ 



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ENJAMIN HAKRISON, 
the twenty-third Presi- 
dent of the United States, 
1889, was born at North 
Bend, Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in tlie house of his 
grandfather, William Hen- 
ry Harrison (who was the 
ninth President of this 
country), August 20th, 
1833. He is a descendant 
of one of the historical 
families of this country, as 
also of England. The 
head of the family was a 
Major-General Harrison 
who was devoted to the cause of Oliver 
Cromwell. It became the duty of this Har- 
rison to participate in the trial of Charles 1. 
and afterward to sign the death warrant of 
the king, which subsecjuently cost him his 
life. His enemies succeeding to power, he 
was condemned and executed October 13th, 
1660. His descendants came to America, 
and the first mention made in history of the 
Harrison family as representative in public 
affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- 
grandfather cf our present President, who 
was a member of the Continental Congress, ! 
1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of ' 



the Declaration of Independence, and three 
times Governor of Virginia. His son, Will- 
iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- 
tary record, was Governor of the Northwest 
Territory, and the ninth President of the 
United States. 

Tlie subject of this sketch at an early age 
became a student at Farmers College, where 
he remained two years, at the end of which 
time he entered Miami University, at Ox- 
ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat 
of learning he entered, as a student, the of- 
fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself 
closely to the study of his chosen profession, 
and here laid the foundation for the honora- 
ble and famous career before him. He spent 
two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the 
expiration of which time he received the 
only inheritance of his life, which was a lot 
left him by an aunt, which he sold for $800. 
This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him 
in marrying the lady of his choice, and to 
whom he was then engaged, a daughter of 
Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school 
at Oxford, Ohio. 

After marriage he located at Indianapolis, 
Indiana, where he began the practice of law. 
Meeting with slight encouragement he made 
but little the first year, but applied himself 






€K^^ 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



closely to liis business, and by perseverance, 
honorable dealing and an upright life, suc- 
ceeded in building up an extensive practice and 
took a leading position in the legal profession. 

In 1860 he was nominated for the position 
of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of 
Indiana, and then began his experience as a 
stump speaker. He canvassed the State 
thoroughly and was elected. 

In 1862 his patriotism caused him to 
abandon a civil office and to offer his country 
his services in a military capacity. He or- 
ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and 
was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- 
ment was composed of raw material, and he 
practically void of military schooling, he at 
once mastered military tactics and drilled his 
men, so that when he with his regiment was 
assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was 
known as one of the best drilled organ- 
izations of the army. He was especially 
distinguished for bravery at the battles of 
Hesacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his 
bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- 
tle he was made a Brigadier-General, Gen- 
eral Hooker speaking of him in the most 
complimentary terms. 

While General Harrison was actively en- 
gaged in the field the Supreme Court declared 
the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, 
and another person was elected to fill the 
position. From the time of leaving Indiana 
with his regiment for the front, until the fall 
of 1864, General Harrison had taken no leave 
of absence. But having been nominated 
that year for the same office that he vacated 
in order to serve his country where he could 
do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave 
of absence, and during that time canvassed 
the State and was elected for another term as 
Supreme Court Reporter. He then started 
to rejoin liis command, then with General 
Sherman ia the South, but was stricken down 



with fever and after a very trying siege, made 
his way to the front, and participated in the 
closing scenes and incidents of the war. 

In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- 
election as Reporter, and applied himself to 
the practice of his profession. He was a 
candidate for Governor of Indiana on the 
Republican ticket in 1876. Although de- 
feated, the brilliant campaign brought him 
to public notice and gave liim a National 
reputation as an able and formidable debater 
and he was much sought in the Eastern 
States as a public speaker. He took an act- 
ive part in the Presidential campaign of 
1880, and was elected to the United States 
Senate, M'here he served six years, and was 
known as one of the strongest debaters, as 
well as one of the ablest men and best law- 
yers. When his term expired in the Senate 
he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, 
becoming the head, of one of the strongest 
law firms in the State of Indiana. 

Sometime prior to the opening of the 
Presidential campaign of 1888, the ^^thgreat 
political parties (Republican and Democrat) 
drew tlie line of political battle on the ques- 
tion of tariflP, which became the leading issue 
and the rallying watchword during the mem- 
orable campaign. The Republicans appealed 
to the people for their voice as to a tariff' to 
protect home industries, while the Democrats 
wanted a tariif for revenue only. The Re- 
publican convention assembled in Chicago in 
June and selected Mr. Harrison as their 
standard bearer on a jilatform of ] rinciples, 
among other important clauses being that of 
protection, which he cordially indorsed in 
accepting the nomination. November 6, 
1888, after a heated canvass. General Harri- 
son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, 
who was again the nominee of the Demo- 
cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- 
sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889. 




i.- 






IOWA STATE HOUSE AT DES MOINES. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 









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H16TORr OF IOWA. 







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A@C»RI@ISi&&. 




(HE race or races who 
occupied this beau- 
tiful prairie country 
before the advent of 
the whites from Eu- 
rope had no litera- 
ture, and therefore 
have left us no history of 
themselves. Not even tra- 
ditions, to any extent, have 
Jj|^3^ 'L been handed down to us. 

1 kviffij II Hence, about all we know 

of the Indians, previous to 
explorations by the whites, 
is derived from mounds 
and a few simple relics. 
The mounds were erected 
by a people generally denominated Mound 
Builders, but whether they were a distinct 
race from the Indians is an unsettled ques- 
tion. Prof. Alex. Winchell,of the Michigan 
State University, as well as a number of 
other investigators, is of the opinion that 
those who built mounds, mined copper and 
iron, made elaborate implements of war, 
agriculture and domestic economy, and 
built houses and substantial villages, etc., 
were no other than the ancestors of the 
present Indians, who, like the ancient 
Greeks and Romans, were more skilled in 

lO 



the arts of life than their successors during 
the middle ages. Most people have their 
periods of decline, as well as those of prog- 
ress. The Persians, Hindoos and Chinese, 
although so long in existence as distinct 
nations, have been forages in a state of de- 
cay. Spain and Italy do not improve, 
while Germany, Russia and the United 
States have now their turn in enjoying a 
rapid rise. Similarly, the Indians have long 
been on the decline in the practical arts of 
life. Even since the recent days of Feni- 
more Cooper, the " noble " red men have 
degenerated into savages, despite the close 
contact of the highest order of civilization. 

Nearly all modern authorities unite in 
the opinion that the American continent 
was first peopled from Eastern Asia, either 
by immigration across Behring's Strait or 
by shipwrecks of sailors from the Kamt- 
schatkan and Japanese coast. If mankind 
originated at the north pole, and subse- 
quently occupied an Atlantic continent, 
now submerged, it is possible that the 
American Indians are relics of polar or 
Atlantic races. 

The ancient race which built the towns 
and cities of Mexico and the Western 
United States is called the Aztec, and even 
of them is scarcely anything known save 



HTSTORT OF IOWA. 



what can be learned from their buried 
structures. The few inscriptions that are 
found seem to be meaningless. 

Indian mounds are found throughout 
the United States east of the Rocky 
Mountains, but are far more abundant in 
some places than others. In this State 
they abound near the principal rivers. 
They vary in size from a few to hundreds 
of feet in diameter, and from three to fifteen 
or more feet in height. They are generally 
round, or nearly so, but in a few notable 
exceptions they bear a rude resemblance in 
their outline to the figure of some animal. 
Their contents are limited, both in quantity 
and variety, and consist mainly of human 
bones, stone implements, tobacco pipes, 
beads, etc. The stone implements are axes, 
skinning knives, pestles and mortars, arrow 
points, etc. The human bones are often 
found in a mass as if a number of corpses had 
been buried together, and indicate that their 
possessors were interred in a sitting posture. 
Judge Samuel Murdock, of Elkader, this 
State, who has made this subject a special 
study for many years, is of the opinion that 
these remams are not of subjects who were 
inhumed as corpses, but of persons who, 
under the influence of a savagfe relieion, 
voluntarily sacrificed themselves by under- 
going a burial when alive. 

CAUCASIAN. 

The first member of this race to discover 
the Mississippi River was Ferdinand De 
Soto, a Spaniard, who explored the region 
of the Lower Mississippi in 1541, but came 
no farther north than the 35th parallel. 
He founded no settlements, nor was he ever 
followed by others of his country to make 
settlements, and hence Spain lost her title 
to the country which she had earned by 
discovery through her subject, De Soto. 
At a subsequent period a Frenchman re- 
discovered the realm, took possession of it 
iij tne name of France, and his fellow 



countrymen soon followed and effected 
actual settlements. Accordingly, in 1682, 
France claimed the country, and, accord- 
ing to the usage of European nations, 
earned a proper title to the same. The re- 
sult was a collision between those two na- 
tions, success finally crowning the efforts of 
France. 

In a grand council of Indians, on the 
shore of Lake Superior, they told the 
Frenchmen glowing stories of the " Father 
of Waters " and of the adjacent country, 
and in 1669 Jacques Marquette, a zealous 
and shrewd Jesuit missionary, became in- 
spired with the idea of visiting this re- 
gion, in the interests of civilization. After 
studying the language and customs of 
the Illinois Indians until 1673, he made prep- 
arations for the journey, in which he was 
to be accompanied b}- Louis Joliet, an agent 
of the French Government. The Indians, 
who had g.ithered in large numbers to wit- 
ness his departure, endeavored to dissuade 
him from the undertaking, representing that 
the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were 
cruel and bloodthirsty. The great river 
itself, they said, was the abode of terrible 
monsters which could swallow men, canoes 
and all. But the shrewd missionary, already 
aware of Indian extravagance in descrip- 
tion, set out upon the contemplated jour- 
ney May 13. With the aid of two Miami 
guides he proceeded to the Wisconsin 
River, and down that stream to the Mis- 
sissippi. Floating down the latter he dis- 
covered, on the 25th of June, traces of 
Indians on the west bank, and landed. 
This was at a point a little above the mouth 
of the Des Moines River, and thus a Euro- 
pean first trod the soil of Iowa. After re- 
maining a short time and becoming ac- 
quainted with the red man as he then and 
there exhibited himself, he proceeded down 
to the mouth of the Illinois, thence up 
that river and by Lake Michigan to the 
French settlements. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



»2S 

of warriors was estimated at only 1,050 
men. Of these about 250 were Twightwees, 
or Miamis proper; 300 VVeas, or Ouiate- 
nons; 300 Piankeshaws and 200 Shocke3's; 
but their headquarters were along the 
Maumee River, in Indiana and Ohio. 

From 1688 to 1697 the wars in which 
France and England were engaged re- 
tarded the growth of their American colo- 
nies. The efforts made b)' France to 
connect Canada and the Gulf of Me.xicoby 
a chain of trading posts and colonies nat- 
urally excited the jealousy of England and 
gradually laid the foundation for a struggle 
at arms. The crisis came and the contest 
obtained the name of the French and Indian 
war, the French and Indians combining 
against the English. The war was termi- 
nated in 1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which 
France ceded to Great Britain all of North 
America east of the Mississippi, except the 
island on which New Orleans is situated. 
The preceding autumn France ceded to 
Spain all the country west of that river. 

In 1765 the total number of French fami- 
hes within the limits of the Northwest Ter- 
ritory did not probably exceed 600. These 
were in settlements about Detroit, along 
the river Wabash and the neighborhood of 
Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. The 
colonial policy of the British Government 
opposed any measures which might 
strengthen settlements in the interior of 
this country, lest they should become self- 
supporting and consequently independent 
of the mother country. Hence the settle- 
ment of the Northwest was still further 
retarded. That short-sighted policy con- 
sisted mainly in holding the lands in the 
possession of the Government, and not 
allowing it to be subdivided and sold to 
those who would become settlers. After 
the establishment of American indepen- 
dence, and especially under the administra- 
tion of Thomas Jefferson, both as Governor 
of Virginia and President of the United 



Nine years later, in 1682. Rene Robert 
Cavelier La Salle descended the Missis- 
sippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and in the name 
of the King of France took formal posses- 
sion of all the Mississippi Valley, naming it 
Louisiana, in honor of his king, Louis XIV. 
The river itself he named Colbert, in honor 
of the French minister. Soon afterward 
the Government of France began to en- 
courage the establishment of a line of trad- 
ing posts and missionary stations through- 
out the West from Canada to Louisiana, 
and this policy was maintained with par- 
tial success for about seventy-five years. 
Christian zeal animated both France and 
England in missionary enterprise, the 
former in the interests of Catholicism and 
the latter in favor of Protestantism. Hence 
their haste to pre-occupy the land and prose- 
lyte the aborigines; but this ugly rivalry' dis- 
gusted the Indians an J the^' refused to be 
converted to either branch of Christianity. 
The traders also persisted in importing 
whisky, which canceled nearly every civ- 
ilizing influence that could be brought to 
bear upon the savages. Another character- 
istic of Indian nature was to listen atten- 
tively to all that the missionary said, pre- 
tending to believe all he preached, and then 
offer in turn his theory of the world, of re- 
ligion, etc.; and, not being listened to with 
the same degree of attention and pretense 
of belief, would depart from the white 
man's presence in disgust. This was his 
idea of the golden rule. 

Comparatively few Indians were perma- 
nently located within the present bounds 
of the State of Iowa. Favorite hunting 
grounds were resorted to by certain bands 
tor a time, and afterward by others, subject 
10 the varying fortunes of their little wars. 
The tribes were principally the Illinois, 
lovvas, Dakotas, Sioux, Pottawatomies and 
finally the Sacs and Foxes. 

In 1765 the Miami confederac)' was com- 
posed of four tribes, whose total number 



!26 



lilSTORY OF IOWA. 



States, subdivision of land and giving it to 
actual settlers rapidly peopled this portion 
of the Union, so that the Northwest Terri- 
tory was formed and even subdivided into 
other Territ(3ries and States before the 
year 1820. 

For more than 100 years after Marquette 
and Joliet trod the virgin soil of Iowa and 
admired its fertile plains, not a single settle- 
ment was made or attempted ; not even a 
trading-post was established. During this 
time the llhnois Indians, once a powerful 
tribe, gave up the entire possession of this 
" Beautiful Land," as Iowa was then called, 
to the Sacs and Foxes. In 1803, when 
Louisiana was purchased by the United 
States, the Sacs, Fo.xes and lowas pos- 
sessed this entire State, and the two for- 
mer tribes occupied also most of the State 
of Illinois. The four most important towns 
of the Sacs were along the Mississippi, two 
on the east side, one near the mouth of the 
Upper Iowa and one at the head of the 
Des Moines Rapids, near the present site 
of Montrose. Those of the Foxes were — 
one on the west side of the Mississippi just 
above Davenport, one about twelve miles 
from the river back of the Dubuque lead 
mines and one on Turkey River. The 
principal village of the lowas was on the 
Des Moines River, in Van Buren County, 
where lowaville now stands. Here the last 
great battle between the Sacs and Foxes 
and the lowas was fought, in which Black 
Hawk, then a young man, commanded the 
attacking forces. 

The Sioux had the northern portion of 
this State and Southern Minnesota. They 
were a fierce and war-like nation, who often 
disputed possessions with their rivals in 
savage and bloody warfare ; but finally a 
boundary line was established between 
them by the Government of the United 
States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien 
in 1S25. This, however, became the occa- 
sion of an increased number of quarrels be- 



tween the tribes, as each trespassed, or was 
thought to trespass, upon the other's side of 
the line. In 1830, therefore, the Govern- 
ment created a forty-mile neutral strip of 
land between them, which p(jlicv proved to 
be more successful in the interests of peace. 

Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana by 
our Government, the latter adopted meas- 
ures for the exploration of the new terri- 
tory, having in view the conciliation of the 
numerous tribes of Indians by whom it was 
possessed, and also the selection of proper 
sites for military posts and trading stations. 

The Army of the West, General Wilkin- 
son commanding, had its headquarters at 
St. Louis. From this post Captains Lewis 
and Clarke, in 1805, were detailed with a 
sufficient force to explore the Missouri 
River to its source, and Lieutenant Zebulon 
M. Pike to ascend to the head of the Missis- 
sippi. August 20 the latter arrived within 
the present limits of Iowa, at the foot of the 
Des Moines Rapids, where he met William 
Ewing, who had just been appointed Indian 
Agent at this point, a French interpreter, 
four chiefs and fifteen Sac and Fox war- 
riors. At the head of the rapids, where 
Montrose now is, Pike held a council with 
the Indians, merely for the purpose of stat- 
ing to them that the President of the United 
States wished to inquire into the needs ot 
the red man, with a view of suggesting 
remedies. 

On the 23d he reached what is supposed 
from his description to be the site of Bur- 
lington, which place he designated for a 
post ; but the station, probably by some 
mistake, was afterward placed at Fort Madi- 
son. After accidentally separating from his 
men and losing his way, suffering at one 
time for sixda3's for want of food, and after 
many other mishaps Lieutenant Pike over- 
took the remainder of the party at the point 
now occupied by Dubuque, who had gone 
on up the river hoping to overtake him. At 
that point Pike was cordially received by 



HI STORY OF IOWA. 



127 



Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman who Iield a 
mining claim under a grant from Spain, but 
was not disposed to publish the wealth of 
his possessions. Having an old field-piece 
with him, however, he fired a salute in 
honor of the first visit of an agent from the 
United States to that part of the country, 
and Pike pursued his way up the river. 

At what was afterward Fort Snelling, 
Minnesota, Lieutenant Pike held a council 
with the Sioux September 23, and obtained 
from them a grant of 100,000 acres of land. 
Januar}' 8 following (1806) he arrived at a 
trading post on Lake De Sable, belonging 
to the Northwestern Fur Company, whose 
field of operations at that time included this 
State. Pike returned to St. Louis the fol- 
lowing spring, after making a successful 
expedition. 

Before this country could be opened for 
settlement by the whites, it was necessary 
that Indian title should be extinguished and 
the aboriginal owners removed. When the 
Government assumed control of the country 
by virtue of the Louisiana purchase, nearly 
the whole State was in possession of the 
Sacs and Foxes, at whose head stood the 
rising Black Hawk. November 3, 1804, ^ 
treaty was concluded with these tribes by 
which they ceded to the United States the 
Illinois side of the great river, in consider- 
ation of $2,234 worth of goods then de- 
livered, and an annuity of $1,000 to be paid 
in goods at cost ; but Black Hawk always 
maintained that the chiefs who entered into 
that compact acted without authority, and 
that therefore the treaty was not binding. 

The first fort erected on Iowa soil was at 
Fort Madison. A short time previously a 
military post was fixed at what is now 
Warsaw, Illinois, and named Fort Edwards. 
These enterprises caused mistrust among 
the Indians. Indeed, Fort Madison was 
located in violation of the treaty of 1804. 
The Indians sent delegations to the whites 
at these forts to learn what they were do- 



ing, and what they intended. On being 
" informed " that those structures were 
merely trading-posts, they were incredu- 
lous and became more and more suspicious. 
Black Hawk therefore led a party to the 
vicinity of Fort Madison and attempted its 
destruction, but a premature attack by him 
caused his failure. 

In 1812, when war was declared between 
this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk 
and his band allied themselves to the British, 
partly because they were dazzled by their 
specious promises, but mostly, perhaps, be- 
cause they had been deceived by the Amer- 
icans. Black Hawk said plainly that the 
latter fact was the cause. A portion of the 
Sacs and Foxes, however, headed by Keo- 
kuk ("watchful fox"), could not be per- 
suaded into hostilities against the United 
States, being disposed to abide by the 
treaty of 1804. The Indians were there- 
fore divided into the "war" and the 
" peace " parties. Black Hawk says he 
was informed, after he had gone to the war, 
that his people, left on the west side of the 
river, would be defenseless against the 
United States forces in case they were at- 
tacked ; and, having all the old men, the 
women and the children on their hands to 
provide for, a council was held, and it was 
determined to have the latter go to St. 
Louis and place themselves under the 
" American" chief stationed there. Ac- 
cordingly they went down, and were re- 
ceived as the " friendly band " of Sacs and 
Foxes, and were provided for and sent up 
the Missouri River. 

On Black Hawk's return from the British 
army, he says that Keokuk was introduced 
to him as the war chief of the braves then 
in the village. On inquiry as to how he 
became chief, there were given him the 
particulars of his having killed a Sioux in 
battle, which fact placed him among the 
warriors, and of his having headed an ex- 
pedition in defense of their village at Peoria. 



liS 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



In person Keokuk was tall and of portly 
bearing, and in speech he was an orator. 
He did not master the English language, 
however, and his interpreters were never 
able to do him justice. He was a friend of 
our Government, and alwaj's endeavored 
to persuade the Indians that it was useless 
to attack a nation so powerful as that of 
the United States. 

The treaty of 1804 was renewed in 1816, 
which Black Hawk himself signed; but he 
afterward held that he was deceived, and 
that that treaty was not even yet binding. 
But there was no further serious trouble 
with the Indians until the noted " Black 
Hawk war" of 1832, all of which took place 
in Illinois and Wisconsin, with the expected 
result — the defeat and capture of the great 
chief, and the final, effectual and permanent 
repulsion of all hostile Indians to the west 
of the great Mississippi. Black Hawk died 
October 3, 1838, at his home in this State, 
and was buried there ; but his remains were 
afterward placed in the museum of the His- 
torical Society, where they were accident- 
ally destroyed by fire. 

More or less affecting the territory now 
included within the State of Iowa, fifteen 
treaties with the Indians have been made, 
an outline of which is here given. In 1804, 
when the whites agreed not to settle west 
of the Mississippi on Indian lands. In 181 5, 
with the Sioux, ratifying peace with Great 
Britain and the United States; with the 
Sacs, a treaty of a similar nature, and also 
ratif3'ing that of 1804, the Indians agreeing 
not to join their brethren who, under Black 
Hawk, had aided the British ; with the 
Foxes, ratifying the treaty of 1804, the In- 
dians agreeing to deliver up all their 
prisoners ; and with the lowas, a treaty of 
friendship. In 1816, with the Sacs of Rock 
River, ratifying the treaty of 1804. In 1824, 
with the Sacs and Foxes, the latter relin- 
quishing all their lands in Missouri ; and 
that portion of the southeast corner of 



Iowa known as the " half-breed tract " was 
set off to the half-breeds. In 1825, placing 
a boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes 
on the south and the Sioux on the north. 
In 1830, when that line was widened to 
forty miles. Also, in the same year, with 
several tribes, who ceded a large portion of 
their possessions in the western part of the 
State. In 1832, with the Winnebagoes, ex- 
changing lands with them and providing a 
school, farm, etc., for them. Also, in the 
same year, the "Black Hawk purchase" 
was made, of about 6,000,000 acres, along 
the west side of the Mississippi from the 
southern line of the State to the mouth of 
the Iowa River. In 1836, with the Sacs and 
Foxes, ceding Keokuk's reserve to the 
United States. In 1837, with the same, 
when another slice of territory, comprising 
1,250,000 acres, joining west of the forego- 
ing tract, was obtained. Also, in the same 
3'ear, when these Indians gave up all their 
lands allowed them under former treaties ; 
and finally, in 1842, when they relinquished 
their title to all their lands west of the 
Mississippi. 

Before the whole of Iowa fell into the 
hands of the United States Government 
sundry white settlers had, under the Spanish 
and French Governments, obtained and oc- 
cupied several important claims within our 
boundaries, which it may be well to notice 
in brief. September 22, 1788, Julien Du- 
buque, before mentioned, obtained a lease 
of lands from the Fox Indians, at the point 
now occupied by the city named after him. 
This tract contained valuable lead ore, and 
Dubuque followed mining. His claims, 
however, as well as those to whom he after- 
ward conveyed title, were litigated for 
many years, with the final result of dis- 
appointing the purchasers. In 1799 Louis 
Honori obtained a tract of land about three 
miles square where Montrose is now sit- 
uated, and his title, standing through all 
the treaties and being finally confirmed by 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



lid 



the Supreme Court of the United States, is 
the oldest legal title held by a white man 
in the State of Iowa. A tract of 5,860 acres 
in Clayton Count}' was granted by the 
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Louisiana 
in 1795 to Basil Girard, whose title was 
made valid some time after the preceding 
case was settled. 

Other early settlers were : Mr. Johnson, 
an agent of the American Fur Company, 
who had a trading-post below Burlington. 
Le Moliere, a French trader, had, in 1820, 
a station at what is now Sandusky, in Lee 
County, si.K miles above Keokuk. During 
the same year Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a sur- 
geon of the United States army, built a 
cabin where the city of Keokuk now stands. 
His marriage and subsequent life were so 
romantic that we give the following briet 
sketch : 

While stationed at a military post on the 
Upper Mississippi, the post was visited by 
a beautiful Indian maiden — whose native 
name unfortunately has not been preserved 
— who, in her dreams, had seen a white 
brave unmoor his canoe, paddle it across 
the river and come directly to her lodge. 
She felt assured, according to the super- 
stitious belief of her race, that in her dreams 
she had seen her future husband, and had 
come to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr. 
Muir she instantly recognized him as the 
hero of her dream, which, with childlike 
innocence and simplicity, she related to 
him. Her dream was, indeed, prophetic. 
Charmed with Sophia's beauty, innocence 
and devotion, the Doctor honorably mar- 
ried her, but after a while the sneers and 
gibes of his brother officers — less honorable 
than he, perhaps — made him feel ashamed 
of his dark-skinned wife, and when his regi- 
ment was ordered down the river to Belle- 
fontaine, it is said that he embraced the 
opportunity to rid himself of her, and left 
her, never expecting to see her again, and 
little dreaming that she would have the 



courage to follow him. But, with her in- 
fant child, this intrepid wife and mother 
started alone in her canoe, and after many 
days of weary labor and a lonely journey of 
900 miles, she at last reached him. She 
afterward remarked, when speaking of this 
toilsome journey down the river in search 
of her husband, " When I got there I was 
all perished away — so thin !" The Doctor, 
touched by such unexampled devotion, 
took her to his heart, and ever after until 
his death treated her with marked respect. 
She always presided at his table with grace 
and dignity, but never abandoned her na- 
tive style of dress. In i8i9-'20 he was 
stationed at Fort Edward, now Warsaw, 
but the senseless ridicule of some of his 
brother officers on account of his Indian 
wife induced him to resign his commission. 
He then built a cabin as above stated, 
where Keokuk is now situated, and made 
a claim to some land. This claim he leased 
to Otis Reynolds and John Culver, of St. 
Louis, and went to La Pointe (afterward 
Galena), where he practiced his profession 
for ten years, when he returned to Keokuk. 
His Indian wife bore to him four children — 
Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr. 
Muir died suddenly of cholera in 1832, but 
left his property in such a condition that it 
was soon wasted in vexatious litigation, and 
his brave and faithful wife, left friendless 
and penniless, became discouraged, and, 
with her two younger children, disap- 
peared. It is said she returned to her peo- 
ple on the Upper Missouri. 

The gentleman who had leased Dr. 
Muir's claim at Keokuk subsequently em- 
ployed as their agent Moses Stillwell, who 
arrived with his family in 1828, and took 
possession. His brothers-in-law, Amos and 
Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him 
and settled near. Mr. Stillwell's daughter 
Margaret (afterward Mrs. Ford) was born 
in 1 83 1, at the foot of the rapids, called by 
the Indians Puckashetuck. She was prob- 



'3° 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ably the first white American child born in 
Iowa. 

In 1829 Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a settle- 
ment on the Lower Rapids, at what is now 
Nashville. The same year James S. Lang- 
worthy, who had been engaged in lead- 
mining at Galena since 1824, commenced 
lead-mining in the vicinity of Dubuque. A 
few others afterward came to that point as 
miners, and they soon found it necessary to 
hold a council and adopt some regulations 
for their government and protection. They 
met in 1830 on the bank of the river, by the 
side of an old cottonwood drift log, at what 
is now the Jones Street Levee in Dubuque, 
and elected a committee, consisting of J. L. 
Langworthy, H. F. Lander, James Mc- 
Phetres, Samuel Scales and E. M. Wren, 
who drafted a set of rules, which were 
adopted by this, the first " Legislature" of 
Iowa. They elected Dr. Jarote as their 
officer to choose arbitrators for the settle- 
ment of difficulties that might arise. These 
settlers, however, were intruders upon In- 
dian territory, and were driven off in 1832 
by our Government, Colonel Zachary Tay- 
lor commanding the troops. The Indians 
returned and were encouraged to operate 
the rich mmes opened by the late white 
occupants. 

But in June of the same year the troops 
were ordered to the east side of the Missis- 
sippi to assist in the annihilation of the 
very Indians whose rights they had been 
protecting on the west side ! 

Immediately after the close of the Black 
Hawk war and the negotiations of the treaty 
in September, 1832, by which the Sacs and 
Foxes ceded the tract known as the " Black 
Hawk Purchase," the settlers, supposmg 
that now they had a right to re-enter the 
territory, returned and took possession of 
their claims, built cabins, erected furnaces 
and prepared large quantities of lead for 
market. But the prospects of the hardy 
and enterprising settlers and miners were 



again ruthlessly interfered with by the 
Government, on the ground that the treaty 
with the Indians would not go into force 
until June i, 1833, although they had with- 
drawn from the vicinity of the settlement. 
Colonel Taylor was again ordered by the 
War Department to remove the miners, 
and in January, 1833, troops were again 
sent from Prairie du Chien to Dubuque for 
that purpose. This was a serious and per- 
haps unnecessary hardship imposed upon 
the miners. They were compelled to aban- 
don their cabins and homes in mid-winter. 
This, too, was only out of respect for forms ; 
for the purchase had been made, and the 
Indians had retired. After the lapse of 
fifty years, no very satisfactory reason for 
this rigorous action of the Government can 
be given. But the orders had been given, 
and there was no alternative but to obey. 
Many of the settlers re-crossed the river, 
and did not return ; a few, however, re- 
moved to an island near the east bank of 
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in 
which to store their lead until spring, when 
the>' could float the fruits of their labor to 
St. Louis for sale, and where they could re- 
main until the treaty went into force, when 
they could return. Among these were the 
Langworthy brothers, who had on hand 
about 300,000 pounds of lead. 

No sooner had the miners left than Lieu- 
tenant Covington, who had been placed in 
command at Dubuque by Colonel Taylor, 
ordered some of the cabins of the settlers to 
be torn down, and wagons and other prop- 
erty to be destroyed. This wanton and 
inexcusable action on the part of a subordi- 
nate, clothed with a little brief authority, 
was sternly rebuked by Colonel Taylor, and 
Covington was superseded by Lieutenant 
George Wilson, who pursued a just and 
friendly course with the pioneers, that were 
only waiting for the time when they could 
repossess their claims. 

The treaty went formally into effect June, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



»3« 



1833, the troops were withdrawn, and the 
Lang^worth}' brothers and a few others at 
once returned and resumed possession of 
their homes and claims. From this time 
must date the first permanent settlement of 
this portion of Iowa. John P. Sheldon was 
appointed superintendent of the mines by 
the Government, and a system of permits 
to miners and licenses to smelters was 
adopted, similar to that which had been 
in operation at Galena since 1825, under 
Lieutenant Martin Thomas and Captain 
Thomas C. Legate. Substantially the primi- 
tive law enacted by the miners assembled 
around that old cottonwood drift log in 
1830, was adopted and enforced by the 
United States Government, except that 
miners were required to sell their mineral 
to licensed smelters, and the smelter was 
required to give bonds for the payment of 
6 per cent, of all lead manufactured to the 
Government 

About 500 people arrived in the mining 
district in 1833, after the Indian title was 
fully extinguished, of whom 150 were from 
Galena. In the same year Mr. Langworthy 
assisted in building the first school-house in 
Iowa, and thus was formed the nucleus of 
the populous and thriving city of Dubuque. 
Mr. Langworthy lived to see the naked 
prairie on which he first settled become the 
site of a city of 15,000 inhabitants, the small 
school-house which he aided in construct- 
ing replaced by three substantial edifices, 
wherein 2,000 children were being trained, 
churches erected in every part of the city, 
and railroads connecting the wilderness 
which he first explored with all the eastern 
world. He died suddenly on the 13th of 
March, 1865, while on a trip over the Du- 
buque & Southern Railroad, at Monticello, 
and the evening train brought the news of 
his death and his remains. 

Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was 
one of the most worthy, gifted and influ- 
ential of the old settlers of this section of 
11 



Iowa. He died greatly lamented by many 
friends, in June, 1865. 

The name Dubuque was given to the 
settlement by the miners, at a meeting held 
in 1834. 

Soon after the close of the Black Hawk 
war in 1832, Zachariah Hawkins, Benjamin 
Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine Horton, 
Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson and Peter 
Williams made claims at Fort Madison. In 
1833 General John H. Knapp and Colonel 
Nathaniel Knapp purchased these claims, 
and in the summer of 1835 they laid out the 
town of " Fort Madison." Lots were ex- 
posed for sale early in 1836. The town was 
subsequently re-surveyed and platted by 
the United States Government. The popu- 
lation rapidly increased, and in less than 
two years the beautiful location was cov- 
ered by a flourishing town, containing 
nearly 600 inhabitants, with a large pro- 
portion of enterprising merchants, mechan- 
ics and manufacturers. 

In the fall of 1832 Simpson S. White 
erected a cabin on the site of Burlington, 
seventy-nine miles below Rock Island. 
During the war parties had looked long- 
ingly upon the " Flint Hills" from the op- 
posite side of the river, and White was 
soon followed by others. David Tothers 
made a claim on the prairie about three 
miles back from the river, at a place since 
known as the farm of Judge Morgan. The 
following winter the settlers were driven 
off by the military from Rock Island, as 
intruders upon the righfs of the Indians. 
White's cabin was burned by the soldiers. 
He returned to Illinois, where he remained 
during the winter, and in the following 
summer, as soon as the Indian title was ex- 
tinguished, returned and rebuilt his cabin. 
White was joined by his brother-in-law, 
Doolittle, and they laid out the town ol 
Burlington in 1834, on a beautiful area of 
sloping eminences and gentle declivities, 
enclosed within a natural amphitheater 



■3^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



formed by the surrounding hills, which 
were crowned with luxuriant forests and 
presented the most picturesque scenery. 
The same autumn witnessed the opening of 
the tirst dry-goods stores by Dr. W. R. Ross 
and Major Jeremiah Smith, each well sup- 
plied with Western merchandise. Such 
was the beginning of Burlington, which in 
less than four years became the seat of 
government for the Territory of Wisconsin, 
and in three years more contained a popu- 
lation of 1,400 persons. 

Immediately after the treaty with the 
Sacs and Fo.xes, in September, 1832, Colonel 
George Davenport made the first claim on 
the site of the present thriving city of 
Davenport. As early as 1827, Colonel 
Davenport had established a flat-boat ferry, 
which ran between the island and the main 
shore of Iowa, by which he carried on a 
trade with the Indians west of the Missis- 
sippi. In 1833 Captain Benjamin W. Clark 
moved from Illinois, and laid the founda- 
tion of the town of Buffalo, in Scott Count)', 
which was the first actual settlement within 
the limits of that county. 

The first settlers of Davenport were An- 
toine Le Claire, Colonel George Davenport, 
Major Thomas Smith, Major William Gor- 
don, Philip Hambough, Alexander W. Mc- 
Gregor, Levi S. Colton, Captain James May 
and others. 

A settlement was made in Clayton County 
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey River, by 
Robert Hatfield and William W. Wayman, 
No further settlement was made in this part 
of the State until 1S36. 

The first settlers of Muscatine County 
were Benjamin Nye, John V^anater and G. 
W. Kasey, all of whom came in 1834. E. 
E. Fay, William St. John. N. Fullington, 
II. Reece, Jonas Pettibone, R. P. Lowe, 
Stephen Whicher, Abijah Whitney, J. E. 
Fletcher, W. D. Abernethy and Alexis 
.Smith were also early settlers of Musca- 
tine. 



As early as 1824 a French trader named 
Hart had established a trading-post, and 
built a cabin on the bluffs above the large 
spring now known as " Mynstcr Spring," 
within the limits of the present cit)'^ of 
Council Bluffs, and had probably been there 
some time, as the post was known to the 
emplo\es of the American Fur Company 
as " La Cote de Hart," or " Hart's Bluff." 
In 1827 an agent of the American Fur 
Company, Francis Guittar, with others, 
encamped in the timber at the foot of the 
bluffs, about on the present location of 
Broadway, and afterward settled there. In 
1839 '^ block house was built on the bluff in 
the east part of the city. The Pottawat- 
omie Indians occupied this part of the 
State until i846-"7> when the\- relinquished 
the territory and removed to Kansas. Billy 
Caldwell was then principal chief. There 
were no white settlers in that part of the 
State except Indian traders, until the arri- 
val of the Mormons under the lead of Brig- 
ham Young. These people on their way 
westward halted for the winter of i846-'7, 
on the west bank of the Missouri River, 
about five miles above Omaha, at a place 
now called Florence. Some of them had 
reached the eastern bank of the river the 
spring before in season to plant a crop. In 
the spring of 1847 Brigham Young and a 
portion of the colony pursued their journey 
to Salt Lake, but a large portion of them 
returned to the Iowa side and settled mainly 
within the present limits of Pottawatomie 
County. The principal settlement of this 
strange community was at a place first 
called " Miller's Hollow," on Indian Creek, 
and afterward named Kanesville, in honor 
of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, of Pennsyl- 
vania, who visited them soon afterward. 
The Mormon settlement extended over 
the county and into neighboring ccjunties, 
wherever timber and water furnished de- 
sirable locations. Orson Hyde, priest, law- 
yer and editor, was installed as president 



HISTORY OF rOWA. 



'33 



of the Quorum of Twelve, and all that part 
of the State remained under Mormon con- 
trol for several years. In 1847 they raised 
a battalion numbering 500 men for the 
Mexican war. In 1848 Hyde started a 
paper called the Frontier Guardian, at 
Kanesville. In 1849, after many of the 
faithful had left to join Brigham Young at 
Salt Lake, the Mormons in this section of 
Iowa numbered 6,552, and in 1850,7,828; 
but they were not all within the limits of 
Pottawatomie County. This county was 
organized in 1848, all the first officials be- 
ing Mormons. In 1852 the order was pro- 
mulgated that all the true believers should 
gather together at Salt Lake. Gentiles 
flocked in, and in a few years nearly all 
the first settlers were gone. 

May 9, 1843, Captain James Alien, with 
a small detachment of troops on board the 
steamer lone, arrived at the site of the 
present capital of the State, Des Moines. 
This was the first steamer to ascend the Des 
Moines River to this point. The troops 
and stores were landed at what is now the 
foot of Court avenue, arid the Captain re- 
turned in the steamer to Fort Sanford to 
arrange for bringing up more soldiers and 
supplies. In due time the}' too arrived, 
and a fort was built near the mouth of Rac- 
coon Fork, at its confluence with the Des 
Moines, and named " Fort Des Moines." 
Soon after the arrival of the troops, a trad- 
ing-post was established on the east side of 
the river by two noted Indian traders 
named Ewing, from Ohio. Among the 
first settlers in this part of Iowa were Ben- 
jamin Bryant, J. B. Scott, James Drake 
(gunsmith), John Sturtevant, Robert Kin- 
zie, Ale.xander Turner, Peter Newcomer 
and others. 

PIONEER LIFE. 

Most of the early settlers of Iowa came 
from older States, as Pennsylvania, New 
York and Ohio, where their prospects for 



even a competency were very poor. They 
found those States good — to emigrate from. 
Their entire stock of furniture, implements 
and family necessities were easily stored 
in one wagon, and sometimes a cart was 
their only vehicle. 

After arriving and selecting a suitable 
location, the ne.xt thing to do was to build 
a log cabin, a description of which ma}' be 
interesting to many of our younger readers, 
as in some sections these old-time struct- 
ures are no more to be seen. Trees of 
uniform size were chosen and cut into logs 
of the desired length, generally twelve to 
fifteen feet, and hauled to the spot selected 
for the future dwelling. On an appointed 
day the few neighbors who were available 
would assemble and have a " house-raising." 
Each end of every log was saddled and 
notched so that they would lie as close down 
as possible; the next day the proprietor, 
would proceed to " chink " and " daub " 
the cabin, to keep out the rain, wind and 
cold. The house had to be re-daubed ev- 
ery fall, as the rains of the intervening time 
would wash out a great part of the mortar. 
The usual height of the house was seven or 
eight feet. The gables were formed by 
shortening tlie logs gradually at each end 
of the building near the top. The roof was 
made by laying very straight small logs or 
stout poles suitable distances apart, and on 
these were laid the clapboards, somewhat 
like shingling, generally about two and a 
half feet to the weather. These clapboards 
were fastened to their place by " weight- 
poles" corresponding m place with the 
joists just described, and these again were 
held in their place by " runs " or " knees " 
which were chunks of wood about eighteen 
or twenty inches long fitted between them 
near the ends. Clapboards were made 
from the nicest oaks in the vicinity, by 
chopping or sawing them into four-foot 
blocks and riving these with a frow, which 
was a simple blade fixed at right angles to 



»34 



HISTORr OF IOWA. 



its handles. This was driven into the 
blocks of wood by a mallet. As the (row 
was wrenched down through the wood, 
the latter was turned alternately over from 
side to side, one end being held by a forked 
piece of timber. 

The chimney to the Western pioneer's 
cabin was made by leaving in the original 
building a large open place in one wall, or 
by cutting one after the structure was up, 
and by building on the outside, from the 
ground up, a stone column, or a column of 
sticks and mud, the sticks being laid up 
cob house fashion. The fire-place thus made 
was often large enough to receive fire-wood 
six to eight feet long. Sometimes this 
wood, especially the " back-log," would be 
nearly as large as a saw-log. The more 
rapidly the pioneer could burn up the wood 
in his vicinity the sooner he had his little 
farm cleared and ready for cultivation. 
For a window, a piece about two feet long 
was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the 
hole closed, sometimes by glass but gener- 
ally with greased paper. Even greased deer- 
hide was sometimes used. A doorway was 
cut through one of the walls if a saw was to 
be had; otherwise the door would be left 
by shortened logs in the original building. 
The door was made by pinning clapboards 
to two or three wood bars, and was hung 
upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch, 
with catch, then finished the door, and the 
latch was raised by any one on the outside 
by pullmg a leather string. For security 
at night this latch-string was drawn in, but 
for friends and neighbors, and even stran- 
gers, the " latch-string was always hanging 
out," as a welcome. In the interior over 
the fire-place would be a shelf called " the 
mantel," on which stood a candlestick or 
lamp, some cooking and table ware, possi- 
bly an old clock, and other articles; in the 
fire-place would be the crane, sometimes of 
iron, sometimes of wood; on it the pots were 
hung for cooking; over the door, in forked 



cleats, hung the ever-trustful rifle and pow- 
der-horn; in one corner stood the larger bed 
for the " old folks," and under it the 
trundle-bed for the children; in another 
stood the old-fashioned spinning-wheel, 
with a smaller one by its side; in another the 
heavy table, the only table, of course, there 
was in the house; in the remaining was a 
rude cupboard holding the tableware, 
which consisted of a few cups and saucers, 
and blue-edged plates, standing singly on 
their edges against the ' back, to make the 
display of table-furniture more conspicu- 
ous; while around the room were scattered 
a few splint-bottom or Windsor chairs, and 
two or three stools. 

These simple cabins were inhabited by a 
kind and true-hearted people. They were 
strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler 
seeking lodging for the night, or desirous 
of spending a few days in the community, 
if willing to accept the rude offering, was 
always welcome, although how they were 
disposed of at night the reader might not 
easily imagine; for, as described, a single 
room was made to answer for kitchen, 
dining-room, sitting-room, bed-room and 
parlor, and many families consisted of si.\ 
or eight members. 

The bed was verj' often made by fixing a 
post in the floor about six feet from one 
wall and four feet from the adjoining wall, 
and fastening a stick to this post about 
two feet above the floor, on each of two 
sides, so that the other end of each of the 
two sticks could be fastened in the oppo- 
site wall; clapboards were laid across these, 
and thus the bed was made complete. 
Guests were given this bed, while the fam- 
ily disposed of themselves in another cor- 
ner of the room or in the loft. When 
several guests were on hand at once they 
were sometimes kept over night in the fol- 
lowing manner: When bedtime came the 
men were requested to step out of doors 
while the women spread out a broad bed 



H/sronr of iowa. 



«3S 



upon the mid floor, and put themselves 
to bed in the center; the signal was given, 
and the men came in and each husband took 
his place in bed next his own wife, and 
single men outside beyond them again. 
They were generally so crowded that they 
had to lie "spoon" fashion, and whenever 
anyone wished to turn over he would say 
" spoon," and the whole company of sleep- 
ers would turn over at once. This was the 
only way they could all keep in bed. 

To witness the various processes of cook- 
ing in those days would alike surprise and 
amuse those who have grown up since 
cooking stoves and ranges came into use. 
Kettles were hung over the large fire, sus- 
pended with pot-hooks, iron or wooden, 
on the crane, or on poles, one end of which 
would rest upon a chain. The long-hand- 
led frying pan was used for cooking meat. 
It was either held over the blaze by hand 
or set down upon coals drawn out upon 
the hearth. This pan was also used for 
baking pancakes, also call flapjacks, batter- 
cakes, etc. A better article lor this, how- 
ever, was the cast-iron spider, or Dutch 
skillet. The best thing for baking bread 
in those days, and possibly even in these 
latter days, was the flat-bottomed bake 
kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting 
cast-iron cover, and commonly known as the 
Dutch oven. With coals over and under it, 
bread and biscuits would be quickly and 
nicely baked. Turkey and spare-ribs were 
sometimes roasted before the fire, sus- 
pended by a string, a dish being placed 
underneath to catch the drippings. 

Hominy and samp were very much used. 
The hominy, however, was generally hulled 
corn — boiled corn from which the hull or 
bran had been taken by hot lye, hence 
sometimes called lye hominy. True hom- 
iny and samp were made of pounded corn. 
A popular method of making this, as well 
as real meal for bread, was to cut out or 
burn a large hole in the top of a huge 



stump, in the shape of a mortar, and pound- 
ing the corn in this by a maul or beetle 
suspended by a swing pole like a well- 
sweep. This and the wellsweep consisted 
of a pole twenty to thirty feet long fixed in 
an upright fork so that it could be worked 
" teeter" fashion. It was a rapid and sim- 
ple way of drawing water. When the samp 
was sufficiently pounded it was taken 
out, the bran floated off, and the delicious 
grain boiled like rice. 

The chief articles of diet in an early day- 
were corn bread, hominy or samp, venison, 
pork, honey, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for 
more than half the year), turkey, prairie 
chicken, squirrel and some otiicr game, 
with a few additional vegetables a portion 
of the year. Wheat bread, tea, coffee and 
fruit were luxuries not to be indulged in 
except on special occasions, as when visit- 
ors were present. 

Besides cooking in the manner described, 
the women had many other arduous duties 
to perform, one of the chief of which was 
spinning. The big wheel was used for 
spinning yarn and the little wheel for spin- 
ning flax. These stringed instruments fur- 
' nished the principal music for the family, 
and were operated by our mothers and 
grandmothers with great skill, attained 
without pecuniary expense, and with far 
less practice than is necessaiy for the girls 
of our period to acquire a skillful use of 
their costly and elegant instruments. But 
those wheels, indispensable a few 3'ears ago, 
are all now superseded by the mighty fac- 
tories which overspread the country, fur- 
nishing cloth of all kinds at an expense ten 
times less than would be incurred now by 
the old system. 

The traveler always found a welcome at 
the pioneer's cabin. It was never full. 
Although there might be already a guest 
for every puncheon, there was still " room 
for one more," and a wider circle would be 
made for the new-comer at the big fire. If 



136 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



the stranger was in search of land, he was 
doubly welcome, and his host would vol- 
unteer to show him all the " first rate claims 
in this neck of the woods," going with him 
for dav's, showing the corners and advan- 
tages of every " Congress tract " within a 
dozen miles of his own cabin. 

To his neighbors the pioneer Was equally 
liberal. If a deer was killed, the choicest 
bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a 
half-dozen miles away perhaps. When a 
pig was butchered, the same custom pre- 
vailed. If a new-comer came in too late 
for " cropping," the neighbors would sup- 
ply his table with just the same luxuries 
they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal 
quantity, until a crop could be raised. 
When a new-comer had located his claim, 
the neighbors for miles around would 
assemble at the site of the proposed cabin 
and aid himin " gittm " it up. One party 
with axes would cut down the trees and 
hew the logs; another with teams would 
haul the logs to the ground; another party- 
would "raise" the cabin; while several 
of the old men would rive the clap-boards 
for the roof. By night the little forest 
domicile would be up and ready for a 
" house-warming," which was the dedica- 
tory occupation of the house, when music 
and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed 
at full height. The next day the new-comer 
would be as well situated as his neighbors. 

An instance of primitive hospitable man- 
ners will be in place here. A traveling 
Methodist preacher arrived in a distant 
neighborhood to fill an appointment. The 
house where services were to be held did not 
belong to a church member, but no matter 
for that. Boards were collected from all 
quarters with which to make temporary 
seats, one of the neighbors volunteering to 
lead off in the work, while the man of the 
house, with the faithful rifle on his shoulder, 
sallied forth in quest of meat, for this truly 
was a "ground hog" case, the preacher 



coming and no meat in the house. The 
host ceased not to chase until he found the 
meat, in the shape of a deer; returning he 
sent a boy out after it, with directions on 
what " pint " to find it. After services, 
which had been listened to with rapt atten- 
tion b}' all the audience, mine host said to 
his wife, "Old woman, I reckon this 'ere 
preacher is pretty hungry and 3'ou must 
git him a bite to eat." " What shall I get 
him ? " asked the wife, who had not seen 
the deer, " thar's nuthen in the house to 
eat." " Why, look thar," returned he, 
" thar's a deer, and thar's plenty of corn in 
the field; you git some corn and grate it 
while I skin the deer, and we'll have a 
good supper for him." It is needless to add 
that venison and corn bread made a sup- 
per fit for any pioneer preacher, and was 
thankfully eaten. 

Fires set out by Indians or settlers some- 
times purposely and sometimes permitted 
through carelessness, would visit the prai- 
rie every autumn, and sometimes the for- 
ests, either in autumn or spring, and settlers 
could not always succeed in defending 
themselves against the destroying element. 
Many interesting incidents are related. 
Often a fire was started to bewilder game, 
or to bare a piece of ground for the early 
grazing of stock the ensuing spring, and it 
would get away under a wind and soon 
be beyond control. Violent winds would 
often arise and drive the flames with such 
rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds 
could scarcely escape. On the approach 
of a prairie fire the farmer would immedi- 
ately set about " cutting off supplies " for 
the devouring enemy by a " back fire." 
Thus by starting a small fire near the bare 
ground about his premises, and keeping it 
under control next his property, he would 
burn off a strip around him and prevent the 
attack (jf the on-coming flames. A few 
furrows or a ditch around the farm were 
in some degrees a protection. 



H/STOHr OF IOWA. 



m 



An original prairie of tall and exuberant 
grass on fire, espcciall^'at night, was a mag- 
nificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the 
pioneer. Here is an instance where the 
frontiersman, proverbially deprived of the 
sights and pleasures of an old community, 
is privileged far be3-ond the people of the 
present day in this country. One could 
scarcel}' tire of beholding the scene, as its 
awe-inspiring features seemed constantly to 
increase, and the whole panorama unceas- 
ingly changed like the dissolving views of 
a magic lantern, or like the aurora borealis. 
Language cannot conve)-, words cannot 
express, the faintest idea of the splendor 
and grandeur of such a conflagration at 
night. It was as if the pale queen of night, 
disdaining to take her accuctomed place in 
the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon 
mvriadsof messengers to light their torches 
at the altar of the setting sun until all had 
flashed into one long and continuous blaze. 
One instance has been described as follows: 

'• Soon the fires began to kindle wider 
and rise higher from the long grass; the 
gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, 
and soon formed the small, flickering blaze 
into fierce torrent flames, which curled up 
and leaped along in resistless splendor; and 
like quickl)- raising the dark curtain from 
the luminous stage, the scenes before me 
were suddenly changed, as if by a magi- 
cian's wand, into one boundless amphithea- 
ter, blazing from earth to heaven and 
sweeping the horizon round, — columns of 
lurid flames sportively mounting up to the 
zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke 
curling away and aloft till they nearly ob- 
scured stars and moon, while the rushing, 
crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts, 
mingled with distant thunders, were almost 
deafening; danger, death, glared all around; 
it screamed for victims: \et, notwithstand- 
ing the imminent peril of prairie fires, one 
is loth, irresolute, almost unable to with- 
draw or seek refuge. 



I.OUISI.\N.\ TERRITORV. 

As before mentioned, although Dc Soto, 
a Spaniard, first took possession of the Mis- 
sissippi Valle}' for his Government, Spain 
did not establish her title to it by following 
up the proclamation with immediate settle- 
ments, and the country fell into the hands 
of France, bv whose agent it was named 
" Louisiana." 

By the treaty of Utrecht, France ceded 
to England her possessions in Hudson's 
Bay, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, but 
retained Canada and Louisiana. In 171 1 
this province was placed in the hands of a 
governor-general, with headquarters at 
Mobile, for the purpose of applying a new 
policv for the settlement and development 
of the country. The very next year ano- 
ther change was made, placing all this ter- 
ritory in the hands of Anthony Crozat, a 
wealthy merchant of Paris, but this scheme 
also failed, as Spain continued to obstruct 
the efforts of an}' Frenchman to establish 
trade, by closing the ports against him. In 
1717 John Law appeared on the scene with 
his famous " Mississippi Company," as the 
Louisiana branch of the Bank of France ; 
and as his roseate scheme promised to do 
much in raising crippled France upon a 
surer footing, extended powers and privi- 
leges were granted him. He was to be 
practically a viceroy, and the life of his 
charter was fixed at twenty-five years. But 
in 1720, when the '• Mississippi bubble" was 
at the height of its splendor, it suddenly 
collapsed, leaving the mother country in a 
far worse condition than before. 

Heretofore Louisiana had been a sub- 
ordinate dependence, under the jurisdiction 
of the Governor-General of Canada. Early 
in 1723 the province of Louisiana was 
erected into an independent Government, 
and it was divided into nine districts, for 
civil and- military purposes. 

Characteristic of human nature, the peo- 
ple were more excited with prospects of 



138 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



finding enormous wealth ready at hand, if 
they should continue to scour the country, 
which they did in places as far west as the 
Rockv Mountains, to the neglect of their 
agricultural and domestic interests. A habit 
of roaming became fixed. At the same time 
their exposed condition was a constant 
temptation to Indian rapine, and the Nat- 
chez tribe in 1723 made a general assault 
upon the whites. At first they were re- 
pulsed, but about five years afterward, 
aided by the Chickasaws and others, they 
fell upon the French village of St. Catha- 
rine and massacred the whole male popu- 
lation. Two soldiers, who happened to be 
in the woods, alone escaped to New Or- 
leans, to bear the news. The colonies on 
the Yazoo and the Washita suffered the 
same fate. Maddened by these outrages, 
the whites turned upon the Natchez and in 
the course of three years exterminated 
them. They were probably the most in- 
telligent tribe of Indians north of Mexico. 

During the fifteen years from 1717 to 
1732 the province increased in population 
from 700 to 5,000, and in prosperity to a 
wonderful degree. It remained under royal 
governors until 1764, the end of the French 
dominion. Most of this time the Indians 
were troublesome, and in 1754 began the 
long "French and Indian war" with Eng- 
land, which resulted in favor of the latter, 
that Government obtaining all of New 
France, Canada, and the eastern half of 
Louisiana. This province did not suffer 
by being the scene of battle, but did suffer 
a great deal from a flood of irredeemable 
paper money. In the meantime the western 
portion, or residue, of this province was 
secretly promised to Spain ; but before 
either of the foreign powers had opportu- 
nity to rejoice long in their western posses- 
sions, a new power on earth, the United 
States, took independent possession of all 
the country except Louisiana and Florida, 
which it has maintained ever since. During 



the seventy years of French control the 
province of Louisiana increased in popula- 
tion from a few destitute fishermen to a 
flourishing colony of 13,540. 

St. Louis, Missouri, was started in 1764. 

Don O'Reilly, the new Governor of Loui- 
siana in 1764, ruled with a despotic hand, 
yet for the general advantage of the peo- 
ple. His successor, Don Antonio Maria 
Bucarelly, was mild, and he was succeeded 
January i, 1777, by Don Bernard de Gal- 
vez, who was the last Governor. He sym- 
pathized with American independence. The 
British, with 140 troops and 1,400 Indians, 
invaded Upper Louisiana from the north 
by way of the Straits of Mackinaw, and in- 
vested St. Louis, Missouri, in 1780, but 
were driven oft. When the Indians saw 
that they were led to fight " Americans" as 
well as Spaniards, they found that they had 
been deceived, and withdrew from the 
British army, and thus General George R. 
Clark, in behalf of the Americans, easily 
defended St. Louis, and also all the new 
settlements in this western country. 

After the Revolutionary war the country 
began again to prosper. Governor Galvez, 
by a census, ascertained that Louisiana had 
in 1785 a population of about 33,000, exclu- 
sive of Indians. 

In the summer of the latter year Don 
Estavan Miro became Governor/w tent, of 
the Spanish possessions in this country, and 
was afterward confirmed as such by the 
king. During his administration a vain 
attempt was made by the Catholics to 
establish the inquisition at New Orleans. 
He was succeeded in 1792 by Baron de 
Carondelet, and during his term the Spanish 
colonies grew so rapidly that their Govern- 
ment became jealous of the United States 
and sought to exclude all interference from 
them in domestic affairs ; but all efforts in 
this direction were ended in 1795 by the 
treaty of Madrid, which, after some delay 
and trouble, was fully carried out in 1798. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



"39 



Under the leadership of Livingston and 
Monroe, the United States Government, 
after various propositions had been dis- 
cussed by the respective powers, succeeded 
in effecting, in 1803, a purchase of the whole 
of Louisiana from France for $11,250,000, 
and all this country west of the great river 
consisted of the "Territory of Orleans" 
(now the State of Louisiana) and the " Dis- 
trict of Louisiana " (now the States of Ar- 
kansas. Missouri and Iowa, and westward 
indefinitely). The latter was annexed to the 
Territory of Indiana for one year, and in 
1805 it was erected into a separate Terri- 
tory, of the second class, the legislative 
power being vested in the Governor and 
judges. Before the close of the year it was 
made a Territory of the first class, under 
the name of the " Territory of Louisiana," 
the Government being administered by the 
Governor and judges. The first Governor 
wasjames Wilkinson, and he was succeeded 
near the close of 1806 by Colonel Meri- 
weather Lewis, the seat of Government be- 
ing at St. Louis; and during his adminis- 
tration the Territory was divided into six 
judicial districts or large counties — St. 
Charles, St. Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape 
Girardeau, New Madrid and Arkansas. In 
1810 the population of Louisiana Territory 
was 21,000, five-sevenths of whom were in 
Arkansas. 

In 1812 the State of Louisiana was ad- 
mitted into the Union, and then it was 
deemed expedient to change the name of 
the Territory. It was accordingly given 
the name of " Missouri Territory," which it 
retained until the admission of the State of 
Missouri in 1821. 

IOWA TERRITORY. 

Although the " Northwestern Territory" 
— carved out of Virginia and now divided 
into the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan and Wisconsin — never included 
Iowa, this State was in 1834 incorporated 



into the "Territory of Michigan," and thus 
became subject to the ordinance of 1787; 
and two years later it was made a part of 
" Wisconsin Territory," and two years still 
later, in 1838, the "Territory of Iowa" 
was formed independently, with sixteen 
counties and a population of 23,000. 

In 1833, at Dubuque, a postofifice was 
established, and some time prior to 1834 
one or two justices of the peace had been 
appointed. In 1834 the Territorial Legis- 
lature of Michigan created two counties 
west of the Mississippi — Dubuque and Des 
Moines — separated by a line drawn west- 
ward from the foot of Rock Island. These 
counties were partially organized. John 
King was appointed " Chief Justice" of Du- 
buque County, and Isaac Leffler, of Bur- 
lington, of Des Moines County. Two 
associate justices in each county were ap- 
pointed by the Governor. In October, 
1835, General George W. Jones, of Du- 
buque, was elected a delegate to Congress. 
April 20, 1836, through the efforts of Gen- 
eral Jones, Congress passed a bill creating 
the Territory of Wisconsin, which went 
into operation July 4, that year. Iowa was 
then included in that Territory, of which 
General Henry Dodge was appointed Gov- 
ernor. The census of 1836 showed a popu- 
lation in Iowa of 10,531, of which 6,257 
were in Des Moines County and 4,274 in 
Dubuque County. 

Ths first Legislature assembled at Bel- 
mont, Wisconsin, October 25, 1836; the 
second at Burlington, Iowa, November 9, 
1837 ; and the third, also at the latter place, 
June I, 1838. 

As earl}' as 1837 the people of Iowa be- 
gan to petition Congress for a separate 
Territorial organization, which was granted 
June 12 following. Ex-Governor Lucas, of 
Ohio, was appointed by President Van Bu- 
ren to be the first Governor of the new 
Territory. Immediately upon his arrival 
he issued a proclamation for the election of 



140 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



members of the first Territorial Legislature, 
to take place September 10. The following 
were elected : 

Council. — Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E. 
A. M. Swaze}', Arthur Ingram, Robert 
Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, 
D. B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles 
Whittlesey, Jonathan \V. Parker, Warner 
Lewis, Stephen Hempstead. 

House. — Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tay- 
lor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James 
Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, 
James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van B. 
Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George W. 
Beelet, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace, 
Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, Wm. L. 
Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings, 
Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers, 
Jabez A. Burchard, Jr., Chauncey Swan, 
Andrew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Har- 
din Nowlin. 

At the session of the above Legislature 
Wm. W. Chapman was elected delegate 
to Congress. As the latter body had given 
the Governor unlimited veto power, and 
as Governor Lucas was disposed to exer- 
cise it arbitrarily, the independent " Hawk- 
eves " grew impatient under his administra- 
tion, and, after having a stormy session for 
a time, thev had Congress to limit the veto 
power. Great excitement also prevailed, 
both in the Legislature and among the 
people, concerning the question of the loca- 
tion of the seat of Government for the 
State. As they knew nothing concerning 
the great future development and extent of 
the State, they had no correct idea where 
the geographical center would or should 
be. The Black Hawk purchase, which was 
that strip of land next the Mississippi, in 
the southeastern part of the State, was the 
full extent and horizon of their idea of the 
new commonwealth. Hence they thought 
first only of Burlington or Mount Pleasant 
as the capital. Indeed, at that time, the 
Inaians had possession of the rest of Iowa. 



But a few of the more shrewd foresaw 
that a more central location would soon be 
further to the north at least, if not west, 
and a point in Johnson County was ulti- 
mately decided upon. 

Commissioners, appointed by the Gov- 
ernor, selected the exact site, laid out a sec- 
tion of land into a town, sold lots and 
proceeded to erect the public buildings. 
The capitol was commenced in 1840 and 
Iowa City became thenceforward the capi- 
tal of the State. The fourth Legislative 
Assembly met at this place December 6, 
1 841, but not in the new capitol building, 
as it was not yet ready. Being somewhat 
difficult to raise the necessary funds, the 
building was not completed for several 
years. The early Territorial Legislatures 
of Iowa laid the foundation for a very just 
and liberal Government, far in advance of 
what had ever been done before by any 
State. 

About this time a conflict arose between 
this Territory and Missouri concerning the 
boundary line between them. There was 
a difference of a strip eight or ten miles 
wide, extending from the Mississippi to the 
Missouri rivers, which each claimed. Mis- 
souri officers, attempting to collect taxes 
within the disputed territory, were arrested 
and confined in jail by Iowa sheriffs, and 
the respective Governors called out the 
militia, preparing for bloodshed. About 
1,200 Iowa men enlisted, and 500 were act- 
ually armed and encamped in Van Euren 
County, ready to defend their Territory, 
when three prominent and able men were 
sent to Missouri as envoys plenipotentiary, 
to effect, if possible, a peaceable adjustment 
of the difficulty. Upon their arrival, they 
found that the county commissioners of 
Clark County, Missouri, had rescinded their 
order for the collection of the taxes, and that 
Governor Boggs had dispatched messen- 
gers to the Governor of Iowa proposing to 
submit an agreed case to the Supreme 



HISTORr OF IOWA. 



141 



Court of the United States for the settle- 
ment of the boundar}- question. This prop- 
osition was declined; but afterward, upon 
petition of Iowa and Missouri, Congress 
authorized a suit to settle the controversy. 
The suit was duly instituted, and resulted 
in the decision that Iowa had only asserted 
" the truth of history," and she knew where 
the rapids of the Des Moines River were 
located. Thus ended the Missouri war. 
" There was much good sense," sa3'S Hon. 
C. C. Nourse, "in the basis upon which 
peace was secured, to-wit: ' If Missourians 
did not know where the rapids of the river 
Des Moines were located, that was no suffi- 
cient reason for killing them off with powder 
and lead; and if we did know a little more of 
history and geography than they did we 
ought not to be shot for our learning. We 
commend our mutual forbearance to older 
and greater people.' " Under an order 
from the Supreme Court of the United 
States commissioners surveyed and estab- 
lished the boundary. The expenses of the 
war, on the part of Iowa, were never paid, 
either by the United States or the Territo- 
rial Government. 

STATE ORGANIZATION AND SUBSEQUENT 
HISTORY. 

The population having become, by the 
year 1844, sufficient to justify the formation 
of a State Government, the Territorial Leg- 
islature of Iowa passed an act, approved 
February 12, that year, submitting to the 
people the question of the formation of a 
State Constitution and providing for the 
election of delegates to a convention to be 
called together for that purpose. The 
people voted upon this at their township 
elections in the following April, giving the 
measure a large majority. The elected 
delegates assembled in convention at Iowa 
City, October 7, 1844, and completed their 
work by November i. Hon. Shepherd 
Leffler, the President of this convention. 



was instructed to transact a certified copy 
of the proposed Constitution to the Dele- 
gate in Congress, to be submitted by him 
to that bodv at the earliest practicable day. 
It also provided that it should be submitted, 
together with any conditions or changes 
that might be made by Congress, to the 
people of the Territory, for their approval 
or rejection, at the township election in 
April, 1845. 

The Constitution, as thus prepared, ti.xed 
the boundaries of the State very differently 
from what were finally agreed upon. 

Ma}' 4, 1846, a second convention met at 
Iowa City, and on the i8th of the same 
month another Constitution, prescribing the 
boundaries as they now are, was adopted. 
This was accepted by the people, August 
3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The new 
Constitution was approved by Congress, 
and Iowa was admitted as a sovereign 
State in the American Union, December 
28, 1846. The people of the State, antici- 
pating favorable action by Congress, held 
an election for State officers October 26 
which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de- 
clared Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr., Secre- 
tary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor; 
Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of 
the Senate and House of Representatives. 

The act of Congress which admitted 
Iowa gave her the i6th section of every 
township of land in the State, or its equiv- 
alent, for the support of schools; also 
seventy-two sections of land for the pur- 
pose of a universit)'; also five sections of 
land for the completion of her public build- 
ings; also the salt springs within her limits, 
not exceeding twelve in number, with sec- 
tions of land adjoining each; also, in con- 
sideration that her public lands should be 
exempt from taxation by the State, she 
gave to the State five per cent, of the net 
proceeds of the sale of public lands within 
the State. Thus provided for as a bride 
with her marriage portion, Iowa com- 



143 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



menced " housekeeping' " upon her own 
account. 

A majority of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1846 were of the Democratic party; 
and the instrument contains some of the 
peculiar tenets of the party at that day. 
Ail banks of issue were prohibited within 
the State. The State was prohibited from 
becoming a stockholder in any corporation 
for pecuniary profit, and the General As- 
sembly could only provide for private cor- 
porations by general statutes. The Consti- 
tution also limited the State's indebtedness 
to $100,000. It required the General As- 
sembly to provide public schools through- 
out the State for at least three months in 
the year. Six months' previous residence 
ol any white male citizen of the United 
States constituted him an elector. 

At the time of organization as a State, 
Iowa had a population of 1 16,651, as appears 
by the census of 1847. There were twenty- 
seven organized counties in the State, and 
the settlements were rapidly pushing to- 
ward the Missouri River. 

The first General Assembly was com- 
posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep- 
resentatives. It assembled at Iowa City, 
November 30, 1846, about a month before 
the State was admitted into the Union. 

The most important business transacted 
was the passage of a bill authorizing a loan 
of $50,000 for means to run the State Gov- 
ernment and pay the expenses of the Con- 
stitutional conventions. The great excite- 
ment of the^ session, however, was the 
attempt to choo.se United States Senators. 
The Whigs had a majority of two in the 
House, and the Democrats a majority of 
one in the Senate. Aftci- repeated attempts 
to control these majorities for caucus nom- 
inees and frequent .sessions ol a joint con- 
vention for purposes of an election, the 
attempt was abandoned. A school law was 
passed at this session for the organization 
of public schools in the Slate. 



At the first session also arose the ques- 
tion of the re-location of the capital. The 
western boundary of the State, as now 
determined, left Iowa City too far toward 
the eastern and southern boundary of the 
State; this was conceded. Congress had 
appropriated five sections of land for the 
erection of public buildings, and toward the 
close of the session a bill was introduced 
providing for the re-location of the seat of 
Government, involving to some extent the 
location of the State University, which had 
already been discussed. This bill gave rise 
to much discussion and parliamentary ma- 
neuvering, almost purely sectional in its 
character. It provided for the appointment 
of three commissioners, who were author- 
ized to make a location as near the geo- 
graphical center of the State as a healthy 
and eligible site could be obtained; to select 
the five sections of land donated by Con- 
gress; to survey and plat into town lots not 
exceeding one section of the land so se- 
lected, etc. Soon after, by " An act to 
locate and establish a State University," 
approved February 25, 1847, the unfinished 
public buildings at Iowa City, together 
with ten acres of land on which they were 
situated, were granted {<.^\■ the use of the 
Universit}', reserving their use, however, 
b}' the General Assembly and the State 
ofificers, until other provisions were made 
by law. 

When the report of the commissioners, 
showing their financial operations, had 
been read in the House of Representa- 
tives, at the next session, and while it was 
under consideration, an indignant member, 
afterward known as the eccentric Judge 
McFarland, moved to refer the report to a 
select committee of five, with instructions 
to report " how much of said city of Mon- 
roe was under water, and how nuich was 
burned." The report was referred with- 
out the instructions, but Monroe City never 
became the seat of Government. By an 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



»43 



act approved January 15, 1849, the law by 
which the location had been made was re- 
pealed and the new town was vacated, the 
money paid by purchasers of lots being re- 
funded to them. This, of course, retained 
the seat of Government at Iowa Cit)', and 
precluded for the time the occupation of 
the building and grounds by the University. 

After the adjournment of the first Gen- 
eral Assembly, the Governor appointed 
Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and George 
Green and John F. Kinney, Judges of the 
Supreme Court. They were afterward 
elected by the second General Assembly, 
and constituted the Supreme Court until 
1855, with the exception that Kinney re- 
signed in January, 1854, and J. C. Hall, of 
Burlington, was appointed in his place. 

At this session Charles Mason, William 
G. Woodward and Stephen Hempstead 
were appointed commissioners to prepare a 
code of laws for the State. Their work 
was finished in 1850 and was adopted by 
the General Assembly. This "code" con- 
tained among other provisions a code of 
civil practice, superseding the old common- 
law forms of actions and writs, and it was 
admirable for its simplicity and method. It 
remained in force until 1863, when it was 
superseded by the more complicated and 
metaphysical system of the revision of that 
year. 

The first Representatives in Congress 
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine, 
and Shepherd Leflfler, of Des Moines 
County. The second General Assembly 
elected to the United States Senate Au- 
gustus Caesar Dodge and George W.Jones. 
The State government, after the first ses- 
sion, was under the control of Democratic 
administrations till 1855. The electoral vote 
of the State was cast for Lewis Cass in 1848, 
and for Franklin Pierce in 1852. The popu- 
lar vote shows that the Free-Soil element 
of the State during this period very nearly 
held tlie balance of power, and that up to 



1854 it acted in the State elections to some 
extent with the Democratic party. In 1858 
Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes, Zachar}' 
Taylor 11,034, and Martin Van Buren, the 
Free-Soil candidate, 1,226 votes, being 167 
less than a majority for Cass. In 1852 
Pierce received 17,762 votes, Scott 15,855, 
and Hale, Free-Soil, 1,606, being for Pierce 
301 votes more than a majority. 

The question of the permanent location 
of the seat of government was not settled, 
and in 185 1 bills were introduced for the 
removal of the capital to Pella and to Fort 
Des Moines. The latter appeared to have 
the support of the majority, but was finally 
lost in the House on the question of order- 
ing it to its third reading. 

At the next session, in 1853, a bill was 
introduced in the Senate for the removal of 
the seat of government to Fort Des Moines, 
and on first vote was just barely defeated. 
At the next session, however, the effort was 
more successful, and January 15, 1855, a 
bill re-locating the capital within two miles 
of the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines, 
and for the appointment of commissioners, 
was approved by Governor Grimes. The 
site was selected in 1856, in accordance 
with the provisions of this act, the land 
being donated to the State by citizens and 
property-holders of Des Moines. An asso- 
ciation of citizens erected a building for a 
temporar)- capitol, and leased it to the State 
at a nominal rent. 

The passage by Congress of the act or- 
ganizing the Territories of Kansas and Ne- 
braska, and the provision it contained abro- 
gating that portion of the Missouri bill that 
prohibited slavery and involuntary servi- 
tude north of 36° 30' was the beginning of 
a political revolution in the Northern States, 
and in none was it more marked than in the 
State of Iowa. Iowa was the " first free 
child born of the Missouri Compromise," 
and has always resented the destruction of 
her foster parent. 



144 



HI SI our OF iowa. 



The year 1856 marked a new era in the his- 
tory of Iowa. In 1S54 the Chicago & Rock 
Island Raihoad had been completed to the 
t-ast hank of the Mississippi River, opposite 
Davenport, in tiie same year tlie corner- 
stone of a railroad bridge that was to be the 
first to span the " Father of Waters," was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies at this 
point. St. Louis had resolved that the 
enterprise was unconstitutional, and by 
writs of injunction made an unsuccessful 
effort to prevent its completion. Twent}' 
years later in her history, St. Louis re- 
pented her folly, and made atonement for 
her sin by imitating Iowa's example. Jan- 
uary I, 1856, this railroad was completed to 
Iowa City. In the meantime, two other 
railroads had reached the east bank of the 
Mississippi — one opposite Burlington, and 
one opposite Dubuque — and these were be- 
ing extended into the interior of the State. 
Indeed, four other lines of railroads had 
been projected across the State from the 
Mississippi to the Missouri, having eastern 
connections. 

May 15, 1856, Congress passed an act 
granting to the State, to aid in the con- 
struction of railroads, the public lands in 
alternate sections, six miles on either side 
of the proposed lines. An extra session of 
the General Assembl}' was called in July of 
this year, that disposed of the grant to the 
several companies that proposed to com- 
plete these enterprises. The population of 
Iowa was now 500,000. Public attention 
had been called to the necessity of a rail- 
road across the continent. The position of 
Iowa, in the very heart and center of the 
republic, on the route of this great high- 
way of the continent, began to attract atten- 
tion. Cities and towns sprang up through 
the Stale as if b\' magic. Capital began to 
pour into the State, and had it been em- 
ployed in developing the vast coal measures 
and establishing manufactories, or if it had 
been expended in improving the lands, and 



in building houses and barns, it would have 
been well. But all were in haste to get 
rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the 
hour. 

In the meantime, ever}' effort was made 
to help the speedy completion of the rail- 
roads. Nearly every county and city on 
the Mississippi, and many in the interior, 
voted large corporate subscriptions to the 
stock of the railroad companies, and issued 
their negotiable bonds for the amount. 
Thus enormous county and city debts were 
incurred, the payment of which these mu- 
nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea 
that they had exceeded the constitutional 
limitation of their powers. The Supreme 
Court of the United States held these bonds 
to be valid, and the courts by mandamus 
compelled the city and county authorities 
to levy taxes to pay the judgments re- 
covered upon them. These debts are not 
all paid, even to this day ; but the worst is 
over, and the incubus is in the course of 
ultimate extinction. The most valuable 
lessons are those learned in the school of 
experience, and accordingly the corpora- 
tions of Iowa have ever since been noted 
for economy. 

In 1856 the popular vote was as follows: 
Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,170, and 
Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,296 less than a 
majority for Fremont. The following year 
an election was held, after an exciting cam- 
paign, for State officers, resulting in a ma- 
jority of 1,406 for Ralph P. Lowe, the Re- 
publican nominee. The Legislature was 
largel}' Republican in both branches. 

One of the most injurious results to the 
State, arising from the spirit of speculation 
prevalent in 1856, was the purchase and 
entry of great bodies of Government land 
within the State by non-residents. This 
land was held for speculation and placed 
beyond the reach of actual settlers for many 
years. From no other one cause has Iowa 
suffered so much as from the short-sighted 



UrSTORr OF lOlVA. 



US 



policy of the Federal Government in sollinj^ 
lands within her borders. The money 
thus obtained by the Federal Government 
has been comparatively inconsiderable. 
The value of this magnificent public do- 
main to the United States was not in the 
few thousands of dollars she might exact 
from the hardy settlers, or that she might 
obtain from the speculator who hoped to 
profit by the settlers' labors in improving 
the country. Statesmen should have taken 
a broader and more comprehensi\e view of 
national economy, and a view more in har- 
mony with the divine economy that had 
prepared these vast fertile plains of the 
West for the " homes of men and the seats 
of empire." It was here that new States 
were to be builded up, that should be the 
future strength of the nation against foreign 
invasion or home revolt. A single regi- 
ment of Iowa soldiers during the dark days 
of the Rebellion was worth more to the 
nation than all the money she ever exacted 
from the toil and sweat of Iowa's early 
settlers. Could the statesmen of forty 
years ago have looked forward to this day, 
when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annually 
into the treasury of the nation for the ex- 
tinction of the national debt, they would 
have realized that the founding of new 
States was a greater enterprise than the re- 
tailing of public lands. 

In January, 1857, another Constitutional 
Convention assembled at Iowa City, which 
framed the present State Constitution. One 
of the most pressing demands for this con- 
vention grew out of the prohibition of 
banks under the old Constitution. The 
practical result of this prohibition was to 
flood the State with every species of " wild- 
cat" currency. 

The new Constitution made ample pro- 
visions for home hanks under the super- 
vision of our own laws. The limitation of 
the State debt was enlarged to $250,000, 
and the corporate indebtedness of the cities 



and counties was also limited to 5 percent, 
upon the valuation of theii' taxable property. 
The judges of the Supreme Court were to 
be elected by the popular vote. The per- 
manent seat of governtnent was hxed at 
Des Moines, and the State University lo- 
cated at Iowa City. The qualifications of 
electors remained the same as under the old 
Constitution, but the schedule provided for 
a vote of the people upon a separate propo- 
sition to strike the word " white" out of the 
suffrage clause, which, had it prevailed, 
would have resulted in conferring the right 
of suffrage without distinction of color. 
Since the early organization ol Iowa there 
had been upon the statute book a law pro- 
vidinof that no nejjro, mulatto nor Indian 
should be a competent witness in any suit 
or proceeding to which a white man was a 
party. The General Assembly of i856-'7 
repealed this law, and the new Constitution 
contained a clause forbidding such disquali- 
fication in the future. It also provided for 
the education of "all youth of the State" 
through a system of common schools. This 
Constitution was adopted at the ensuing 
election by a vote of 40,31 1 to 38,681. 

October 19, 1857, Governor Grimes issued 
a proclamation declaring the city of Des 
Moines to be the capital of the State of Iowa. 
The removal of the archives and offices was 
commenced at once and continued through 
the fall. It was an undertaking of no 
small magnitude; there was not a mile of 
railroad to facilitate the work, and the 
season was unusually disagreeable. Rain, 
snow and pfher accompaniments increaseci 
the difficulties; and it was not until Decem- 
ber that the last of the effects, — the safe of 
the State Treasurer, loaded on two large 
" bob sleds " drawn by ten yokes of oxen, 
-—was deposited in the new capitol. It is 
not imprudent now to remark that -luring 
this passage over hills and prairies, across 
rivers, through bottom lands and timber, 
the safes belonging to the several depart- 



146 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



merits contained large sums of money, 
mostl)- individual funds, however. Thus 
Iowa City ceased to be the capital of the 
State, after four Territorial Legislatures, 
six State Legislatures and three Constitu- 
tional Conventions had held their sessions 
there. By the exchange, the old capitol at 
Iowa City became the seat of the university, 
and, except the rooms occupied by the 
United States District Court, passed under 
the immediate and direct control of the 
trustees of that institution. Des Moines 
was now the permanent seat of govern- 
ment, made so by the fundamental law of 
the State, and January 11, 1858, the Sev- 
enth General Assembly convened at the 
new capitol. The citizens' association, 
which built this temporary building, bor- 
rowed the money of James D. Eads, Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction, and leased 
it to the State. In 1864 the State pur- 
chased the building. At the session of the 
General Assembly in 1858, James W. 
Grimes was elected United States Senator 
as successor to George W. Jones. 
^ During the years i858-'6o, the Sioux 
Indians became troublesome in the north- 
western part of the State. They made fre- 
quent raids for the purpose of plunder, and 
on several occasions murdered whole fami- 
lies of settlers. In 1861 several companies 
of militia were ordered to that portion of 
the State, to hunt down and expel the 
thieves. No battles were fought. The 
Indians fled as soon as they ascertained 
that systematic measures had been adopted 
for their punishment. 

PATRIOTISM. 

The Presidential campaign of i860 was 
the most remarkable and exciting of all in 
the history of Iowa. The fact that civil 
war might be inaugurated and was threat- 
ened, in case Mr. Lincoln was elected, was 
well understood and dulv considered. The 
people of Iowa indulged in no feeling of 



hatred or ill-will toward the people of any 
State or section of the Union. There was, 
however, on the part of the majority, a 
cool determination to consider and decide 
upon our national relations to this institu- 
tion of slavery, uninfluenced by any threat 
of violence or civil war. The popular vote 
of Iowa gave Mr. Lincoln 70,409; -Stephen 
A. Douglas, 55,011; Breckenridge, 1,048. 

The General Assembly of the State 01 
Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu- 
tion declared that the State of Iowa was 
" bound to maintain the union of these 
States by all the means in her power." The 
same year the State furnished a block of 
marble for the Washington monument at the 
national capital, and by order of the Gen- 
eral Assembly there was inscribed upon its 
enduring surface the following: " Iowa: 
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, 
flow to an inseparable Union." The time 
was now approaching in her history when 
these declarations of attachment and fidelity 
to the nation were to be put to a practical 
test. 

The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last 
annual message, that the nation possessed 
no constitutional power to coerce a seced- 
ing State, was received by a great majority 
of our citizens with humiliation and dis- 
trust. Anxiously they awaited the expiring 
hours of his administration, and looked to 
the incoming President as to an expected 
deliverer that should rescue the nation 
from the hands of traitors, and the control 
of those whose non-resistance invited her 
destruction. The firing upon the national 
flag at Sumter aroused a burning indigna- 
tion throughout the loyal States of the re- 
public, and nowhere was it more intense 
than in Iowa; and when the proclamation 
of the President was published, April 15, 
1861, calling for 75,000 citizen .soldiers to 
"maintain the honor, the integrit)', and 
the existence of our national Union, and 
the perpetuity of popular government,' 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



'47 



the good people of Iowa were more 
than willing to respond to the call. Part\' 
lines gave way, and for a while, at least, 
part}' spirit was hushed, and the cause of 
our common country was supreme in the 
affections of the people. Peculiarly fort- 
unate were the citizens of Iowa at this 
crisis, in having a truly representative 
man, Samuel J. Kirkwood, as executive 
of the State. 

Within thirty days after the date of the 
President's call for troops, the first Iowa 
regiment was mustered into the service of 
the United States, a second regiment was 
in camp ready for the service, and the 
General Assembly of the State was con- 
vened in special session, and had by joint 
resolution solemnly pledged every resource 
of men and money to the national cause. 

The Constitution of Iowa limited the 
State debt to $250,000, except debts con- 
tracted to " repel invasion, suppress insur- 
rection, or defend the State in war." The 
General Assembly authorized a loan of 
$800,000 for a war and defense fund, to be 
expended in organizing, arming, equipping 
and subsisting the militia of the State to 
meet the present and future requisitions of 
the President. Those in power looked to 
the spirit rather than to the letter of the 
Constitution, and acted upon the theory 
that to preserve the nation was to pre- 
serve the State, and that to prevent in- 
vasion was the most effectual means of 
repelling it. A few, however, in both 
branches of the General Assembly were 
more careful of the letter of the Constitu- 
tion. Three votes in the Senate and sev- 
enteen in the House were cast against 
the loan bill. These bonds were at 7 per 
cent, interest. Only $300,000 were ever 
issued, rmd they were |niichased and held 
chiefly by our own citizens. At this crisis 
James W. Grimes and James Harlan were 
in the United States Senate, and General 
Samuel R. Curtis and General V'andeverin 

IS 



the House of Representatives. During the 
first year of the war, Iowa furnished sixteen 
regiments of infantry, six of cavalry and 
three batteries, — in all, 22,000 soldiers. 
Iowa had no refuse population to enlist as 
" food for powder." Her cities contained 
none of that element found about the pur- 
lieus of vice in the great centers of popu- 
lation. Her contribution to the armies of 
the republic was a genuine offering of 
manhood and patriotism. From her fields, 
her workshops, her counting-houses, her 
ofifices, and the halls of her schools and 
colleges, she contributed the best muscle, 
sinew and brain of an industrious, enter- 
prising and educated people. The first 
regiment of Iowa soldiers fought the bat- 
tle of Wilson's Creek after their term of 
enlistment had expired, and after they were 
entitled to a discharge. They were citi- 
zen soldiers, each of whom had a personal 
interest in the struggle. It was to them no 
question of enlistment, of bounty or of pay. 
When the gallant General Lyon placed 
himself at their head, and told them that 
the honor of Iowa and of the nation was in 
their hands, he addressed men who knew 
what the appeal meant, and to whom such 
an appeal was never made in vain. 

At the fall election of i86i, party spirit 
had revived; and the contest for the control 
of the State administration was warm and 
earnest. Dissensions arose in both parties 
but the election resulted in a majority of 
16,600 votes for Kirkwood, who was thus 
retained as Governor of Iowa. In 1863 
the Republicans elected their candidate 
for Governor, William M. Stone, by a ma- 
jority of 29,000. 

Meanwhile the General Assembly had 
passed a law authorizing the "soldiers' 
vote," that is, citizens of the State in the 
volunteer military service of the United 
States, whether within or without the limits 
of the Stale, were authorized to open a poll 
on the day of the election, and to make re- 



148 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



turn of their votes to the proper civil au- 
thorities. In the Presidental contest of 
1864 the popular vote at home was as 
follows: Lincoln, 72,122; McClellan, 47,- 
703. The soldier vote returned was: Lin- 
coln, 16,844; McClellan, 1,883. 

The General Assembly did all in its 
power to encourage enlistment and to pro- 
tect the soldiers in the field and their fami- 
lies at home. Statutes were enacted sus- 
pending all suits against soldiers in the 
service, and all writs of execution or attach- 
ment against their property; and county 
boards of supervisors were authorized to 
vote bounties for enlistments, and pecuni- 
ary aid to the families of those in the serv- 
ice. The spirits of our people rose and 
fell, according to the success of the Union 
armies. One day the bells rung out with 
joy for the surrender of Vicksburg, and 
again the air seemed full of heaviness be- 
cause of our defeats on the Peninsula; but 
through all these dark and trying days, the 
faith of the great majority never wavered. 

The Emancipation Proclamation of the 
President was to them an inspiration of a 
new hope. 

In the Adjutant's department at Des 
Moines are preserved the shot-riddled col- 
ors and standards of Iowa's regiments. 
Upon them, by special authority, were 
inscribed from time to time during the war 
the names of the battle-fields upon which 
these regiments gained distinction. These 
names constitute the geographical nomen- 
clature of two-thirds of the territory latel}' 
in rebellion. From the Des Moines River 
to the Gulf, from the Mississippi to the 
Atlantic, in the Mountains of West Virginia 
and in the valley of the Shenandoah, the 
Iowa soldier made his presence known and 
felt, and maintained the honor of the State, 
and the cause of the nation. They were 
with Lyon at Wilson's Creek; with Tuttle 
at Donelson. They fought with Sigel and 
with Curtis at Pea Ridge; with Crocker 



at Champion Hills; with Reid at Shiloh. 
They were with Grant at the surrender of 
Vicksburg. They fought above the clouds 
with Hooker at Lookout Mountain. They 
were with Sherman in his march to the sea, 
and were ready for battle when Johnston 
surrendered. They were with Sheridan in 
the valley of the Shenandoah, and were in 
the veteran ranks of the nation's deliverers 
that stacked their arms in the national cap- 
itol at the close of the war. 

The State furnished to the armies of the 
republic, during the war, over 70,000 men, 
and 20,000 of these perished in battle or 
from diseases contracted in the service. 

We append here a brief notice of each 
regiment : 

The First Regiment was organized under 
the President's first call for three-months 
volunteers, with John Francis Bates, of Du 
buque, as Colonel. It comprised various 
independent military companies that had 
been organized before the war, who ten- 
dered their services even before the break- 
ing out of hostilities. Thej- were mustered 
in May 14, and first saw service under 
General Lyon in Missouri. 

Second Infantry ; Samuel R. Curtis, of 
Keokuk, Colonel. This was the first three- 
years regiment, and made a most distin- 
guished record throughout the South, go- 
ing with Sherman to the sea, returning 
through the Carolinas, etc. After the 
battle at Fort Donelson, the unenthusiastic 
General Halleck pronounced this regiment 
" the bravest of the brave." 

Third Infantry ; Nelson G. Williams, of 
Dubuque County, Colonel. Veteranized 
in 1864, but before the new officers received 
their commissions the regiment fought itselt 
out of existence at the battle of Atlanta ! 

Fourth Infantry ; G. M. Dodge, of Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Colonel. Engaged in the prin- 
cipal battles of the South. 

Fifth Infantry ; William H. Worthington, 
of Keokuk, Colonel; 180 veteranized in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



149 



1864 and were transferred to the Fifth 
Cavalry. 

Sixth Infantry ; John A. McDowell, of 
Keokuk, Colonel. Engaged faithfully in 
many of the prominent battles. 

Seventh Infantry ; J. G. Lauman, of Bur- 
lington, Colonel. It lost 227 at the single 
battle of Belmont. 

Eighth Infantry; Frederick Steele, of the^ 
regular army. Colonel. Most of this com- 
mand suffered in rebel prisons for eight 
months. Was on duty in Alabama nearly 
a year after the collapse of the Rebellion. 

Ninth Infantry ; William Vandever, of 
Dubuque, Colonel. Was in almost every 
Southern State, traveling altogether 10,000 
miles ; marched more than 4,000 miles ! 

Tenth Infantry ; Nicholas Persczel, of 
Davenport, Colonel. Fought mainly in 
Mississippi ; losing half its number at the 
battle of Champion Hills alone ! 

Eleventh Infantry ; A. M. Hare, of Mus- 
catine, Colonel. Served mainly in the in- 
terior of the South, doing as valiant service 
as any other regiment. 

Twelfth Infantry ; J. J. Wood, of Maquo- 
keta, Colonel. In rebel prisons eight 
months. Veteranized January 4, 1864, a 
larger proportion of the men re-enlisting 
than from any other Iowa regiment. Served 
for several months after the close of the 
war. 

Thirteenth Infantry; M. M. Crocker, of 
Des Moines, Colonel. Fought in the South- 
ern interior and made the famous round 
with Sherman to the sea, being the first to 
enter Columbia, South Carolina, where se- 
cession had its rise. 

Fourteenth Infantry; William T. Shaw, 
of Anamosa, Colonel. Nearly all captured 
at Shiloh, but were released after a few 
months. Engaged in some of the severest 
contests. 

Fifteenth Infantry; Hugh T. Reid, of 
Keokuk, Colonel. Served three and a half 
years in the heart of the Rebellion. 



Si.Kteenth Infantry; Alex. Chambers, of 
the regular army. Colonel. Bravely served 
throughout the South. 

Seventeenth Infantry; John W. Rankin, 
of Keokuk, Colonel. Served in the in- 
terior of the South. 

Eighteenth Infantry ; John Edwards, ot 
Chariton, Colonel. Much of its time was 
spent in garrison duty. 

Nineteenth Infantry ; Benjamin Crabb, 
of Washington, Colonel. Served mainly in 
Mississippi. Were prisoners of war about 
ten months. 

Twentieth Infantry, comprising five com- 
panies each from Scott and Linn counties, 
who vied with each other in patriotism; 
William M. Dye, of Marion, Colonel. En- 
gaged mainly on the Gulf coast. 

Twenty-first Infantry ; ex-Governor Sam- 
uel Merrill, Colonel. Distinguished in val- 
iant service throughout the South. See 
Twenty-third Regiment. 

Twenty-second Infantry ; William M. 
Stone, of Knoxville, since Governor of the 
State, was Colonel. Did excellent service, 
all the way from Mississippi to old Virginia. 

Twenty-third Infantry ; William Dewey, 
of Fremont County, Colonel. Its services 
were mainly in Mississippi. At Black River 
but a few minutes were required in carry- 
ing the rebel works, but those few minutes 
were fought with fearful loss to the troops. 
The Twenty-first also participated in this 
daring assault, and immediately after the 
victory was gained General Lawler passed 
down the line and joyfully seized every man 
by the hand, so great was his emotion. 

Twenty-fourth Infantry ; the " Iowa 
Temperance Regiment," was raised by 
Eber C. Byam, of Linn County. Engaged 
mainly in the Lower Mississippi Valley. 

Twenty-fifth Infantry ; George A. Stone, 
of Mt. Pleasant, Colonel. " To the sea." 

Twenty-sixth Infantry ; Milo Smith, of 
Clinton, Colonel. Took part in many great 
battles. 



'SO 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Twenty-seventh Infantry ; James I. Gil- 
bert, of Lansing, Colonel. On duty all the 
way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Twenty-eighth Infantry ; William E. 
Miller, of Iowa City, Colonel. Service, in 
the region of the Lower Mississippi. 

Twenty-ninth Infantrv ; Thomas H. Ben- 
ton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, Colonel. Sta- 
tioned in Arkansas. 

Thirtieth Infantry; Charles B. Abbott, 
of Louisa County, Colonel. In the thickest 
of the war, coming home loaded with 
honors. 

Thirty-first Infantry ; William Smyth, of 
Marion, Colonel. Returned from its man}' 
hard-fought battles in the interior of the 
South with only 370 men out of 1,000 en- 
listed. 

Thirty -second Infantry ; John Scott, of 
Nevada, Colonel. Engaged in a number of 
battles. 

Thirty-third Infantry ; Samuel A. Rice, 
a popular politician of Central Iowa, Colo- 
nel. Served from Arkansas to Alabama. 

Thirty-fourth Infantry; George W.Clark, 
of Indianola, Colonel. Traveled 15,000 
miles in its service ! 

Thirty-fifth Infantry ; S. G. Hill, of Mus- 
catine, Colonel. Served bravely in a dozen 
battles, and traveled 10,000 miles. 

Thirty-sixth Infantry ; Charles W. Kitt- 
redge, of Ottumwa, Colonel. Suffered a 
great deal from sickness— small-pox, measles, 
malaria, etc. 

Thirty-seventh Infantry, the " Gray- 
Beard Regiment," being composed of men 
over forty-five years of age, and was the 
only one of its kind in the war. Garrison 
and post duty. 

Thirtj-eighth Infantry; D. H. Hughes, 
of Decora h. Colonel. Most unfortunate of 
all in respect of sickness, 300 dying during 
the first two j-ears. 

Thirty-ninth Infantry; H. J. B. Cum- 
mings, of Winterset, Colonel. One of the 
most distinguished regiments in the field. 



Fortieth Infantry- ; John A. Garrett, ot 
Newton, Colonel. 

Forty-first Infantry was not completed, 
and the three companies raised for it were 
attached to the Seventh Cavalr\-. 

There were no regiments numbered 
Forty-second or Forty-third. 

Forty-fourth Infantry for 100 days; 
Stephen H. Henderson, Colonel. Garrison 
dutv in Tennessee. 

Forty-fifth Infantry, ior 100 days; A. H. 
Bereman, of Mt. Pleasant, Colonel. Garri- 
son dut}' in Tennessee. 

Fort)-sixth Infantry, for 100 days; D. B. 
Henderson, of Clermont, Colonel. Garri- 
son duty in Tennessee. 

Forty-seventh Infantry, for 100 days ; 
James P. Sanford, of Oskaloosa, Colonel. 
Stationed at the sickly place of Helena, 
Arkansas. 

Forty-eighth Infantry (battalion), for 100 
days; O. H. P. Scott, of Farmington, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. Guarded prisoners on Rock 
Island. 

First Cavalry ; Fitz Henry Warren, of 
Burlington, Colonel. Served for three 
years, mainly along the Lower Mississippi. 

Second Cavalry ; W. L. Elliott, a Cap- 
tain in the Third Cavalry of the regular 
army. Colonel. Fought faithfully in many 
important battles in Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi. 

Third Cavalry- ; Cj'rus Busscy, of Broom- 
field, Colonel. Distinguished in war. 

Fourth Cavalry ; A. B. Porter, of Mt. 
Pleasant, Colonel. Participated with zeal 
and judgment in the hottest of battles in 
Tennessee and Mississippi. 

Fifth Cavalrv, onlv in part an Iowa regi- 
ment ; William W. Lowe, of the regular 
army. Colonel. Distinguished in the hotlj' 
contested battles of Tennessee and vicinity. 

Sixth Cavalry; D. S. Wilson, of Du- 
buque, Colonel. Served against the In- 
dians. 

Seventh Cavalry ; S. W. Summers, of 



HISTORV OF IOWA. 



I5« 



Ottumwa, Colonel. Served against the 
Indians. 

Eighth Cavalry ; Joseph B. Dorr, of Du- 
buque, Colonel. Served faithfully in guard- 
ing Sherman's comniunications, etc. 

Ninth Cavalry; M. M. Trumbull, of 
Cedar Falls, Colonel. Scouting, guard and 
garrison duties in Arkansas. 

First Battery of Light Artillery ; C. H. 
Fletcher, of Burlington, Captain. Served 
in Arkansas and Tennessee. 

Second Battery ; Nelson I. Spoor, of 
Council Bluffs, Captain. Engaged at Farm- 
ington, Corinth and other places. 

Third Battery ; M. M. Hayden, of Du- 
buque, Captain. Engaged at Pea Ridge, 
and in other important battles. 

Fourth Battery ; on duty most of the 
time in Louisiana. 

Iowa Regiment of Colored Troops ; John 
G. Hudson, of Missouri, Colonel. Garrison 
duty at St. Louis and elsewhere. 

Northern Border Brigade ; James A. 
Sawyer, of Siou.K City, Colonel. Protected 
the Northwestern frontier. 

Southern Border Brigade ; protected the 
southern border of the State. 

The following promotions were made by 
the United States Government from Iowa 
regiments : To the rank of Major-General 
— Samuel R.Curtis, Frederick Steele, Frank 
J. Herron and Grenville M. Dodge ; to that 
of Brigadier-General — Jacob G. Lauman, 
James M. Tuttle, W. L. Elliott, Fitz Henry 
Warren, Charles L. Matthies, William Van- 
dever, 1\I. M. Crocker, Hugh T. Reid, 
Samuel A. Rice, John M. Corse, Cyrus 
Bussey, Edward Hatch, Elliott W. Rice, 
William W. Belknap, John Edwards, James 
A. Williamson, James I. Gilbert and Thomas 
J. McKean ; Corse, Hatch, Belknap, Elliott 
and Vandever were brevetted Major- 
Generals ; brevetted Brigadier-Generals — 
William T. Clark, Edward F. Winslow, S. 
G. Hill, Thomas H. Benton, S. S. Glasgow, 
Clark K. Weaver, Francis M. Drake, 



George A. Stone, Datus E. Coon, George 
W. Clark, Herman H. Heath, J. M. Hed- 
rick and W. W. Lowe. 

IOWA SINCE THE WAR. 

The two principal events of political in- 
terest in this State since the war have been 
the popular contests concerning woman 
suffrage and the liquor traffic. In the 
popular electi(jns the people gave a ma- 
i jority against the former measure, but in 
favor of prohibiting the sale or manufact- 
ure of intoxicating liquors. 

A list of State officers to date is given on 
a subsequent page. The last vote for 
Governor, October 9, 1883, stood as fol- 
lows: For Buren R. Sherman, Republican, 
164,141 ; L. G. Kinne, Democrat, 140,032, 
and James B. Weaver, National Green- 
back, 23,093. 

STATE INSTITUTIONS. 

The present capitol building is a beauti- 
ful specimen of modern architecture. Its 
dimensions are, in general, 246 x 364 feet, 
with a dome and spire extending up to a 
height of 275 feet. In 1870 the General 
Assembly made an appropriation, and pro- 
vided for the appointment of a board of com- 
missioners to commence the work of build- 
ing. They were duly appointed and pro- 
ceeded to work, laying the corner-stone with 
appropriate ceremonies, November 23, 1 871 . 
The structure is not yet completed. Wlien 
finished it will have cost about $3,500,000. 

The State University, at Iowa City, was 
estahlished there in 1858, immediately after 
the removal of the capital to Des Moines. 
As had already been planned, it occupied 
the old capitol building. As early as Janu- 
ary, 1849, two branches of the university 
were established — one at Fairfield and one 
at Dubuque. At Fairfield, the board of 
directors organized and erected a building 
at a cost of $2,500. This was nearly de- 
stroyed by a hurricane the following year, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



but was rebuilt more substantially by the 
citizens of Fairfield. This branch never 
received any aid from the State, and Janu- 
ary 24, r853, at the request of the board, 
the General Assembly terminated its rela- 
tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque 
had onh' a nominal existence 

Bv act of Congress, approved July 20, 
1840, two entire townships of land were 
set apart in this State for the support of a 
university. The Legislature of this State 
placed the management of this institution 
in the hands of a board of fifteen trustees, 
five to be chosen (by the Legislature) every 
two years, the superintendent of public 
instruction to be president of the board. 
This board was also to appoint seven trus- 
tees for each of the three normal schools, to 
be simultaneously established — one each 
at Andrew, Oskaloosa and Mt. Pleasant. 
One was never started at the last-named 
place, and after a feeble existence for a 
short time the other two were discontin- 
ued. The university itself was closed dur- 
ing i859-'6o, for want of funds. 

The law department was established in j 
June, 1868, and soon afterward the Iowa 
Law School at Des Moines, which had been 
in successful operation for three \'ears, was 
transferred to Iowa Cit}' and merged in the 
department. The medical d epartment was 
established in i86g; and in 1874 a chair of 
military instruction was added. 

Since April 11, 1870, the govenmient of 
the university has been in the hands of a 
board of regents. The present faculty 
comprises forty-two professors, and the 
attendance 560 students. 

The State Normal School is located at 
Cedar Falls, and was opened in 1876. It 
has now a faculty of nine members, witii an 
attendance of 301 pupils. 

The State Agricultural College is located 
at Ames, in Story County, being established 
by the legislative act of March 23, 1858. 
In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 240,000 



acres of land for the endowment of schools 
of agriculture and the mechanic arts. The 
main building was completed in 1868, and 
the institution opened the following year. 
Tuition is free to pupils from the State 
over sixteen years of age. The college 
farm comprises 860 acres, of which a major 
portion is in cultivation. Professors, twen- 
ty-two; scholars, 319. 

The Deaf and Dumb Institute was estab- 
lished in 1855, at Iowa City, but was after- 
ward removed to Council Bluffs, to a tract 
of ninety acres of land two miles south of 
that city. In October, 1870, the main build- 
ing and one wing were completed and 
occupied. In Februarv, 1877, fire destroyed 
the main building and east wing, and dur- 
ing the summer following a tornado par- 
tially demolished the west wing. It is at 
present (1885) manned with fifteen teachers, 
and attended by 292 pupils. 

The College for the BHnd has been at Vin- 
ton since 1862. Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself 
blind, a fine scholar, who had foimded the 
Institution for the Blind, at Jacksonville, 
Illinois, commenced as earl V as 1852 a school 
of instruction at Keokuk. The next year 
the institution was adopted by the State 
and moved to Iowa City, with Prof. Bacon 
as principal. It was moved thence, in 1862, 
to Vinton. The building was erected and 
the college manned at vast expenditure of 
money. It is said that $282,000 were ex- 
pended upon the building alone, and that it 
required an outlav of $5,000 a year to heat 
it, while it had accommodations for 130 in- 
mates. At present, however, they have 
accommodations for more pupils, with an 
attendance of 132. There are eleven teach- 
ers. The annual legislative appropriation 
is $8,000, besides $128 per year for each 
pupil. 

The first Iowa Hospital tor the Insane 
was established by an act of the Legislature 
approved January 24. 1855. It is located at 
Mt. Pleasant, where the building was com- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



IS3 



pleted in i86i, at a cost of $258,555. Within 
the first three months 100 patients were ad- 
mitted, and before the close of October, 
1877, an aggregate of 3,684 had been ad- 
mitted. In April, 1876, a portion of the 
building was destroyed by fire. At this in- 
stitution there are now ninety-four superin- 
tendents and assistants, in charge of 472 
patients. 

Another Hospital for the Insane, at Inde- 
pendence, was opened May i, 1873, in a 
building which cost $88,114. The present 
number of inmates is 580. in the care of 1 1 1 
superintendents and employes. 

The Soldiers' Orphans' Home is located at 
Davenport. It was originated by Mrs. Annie 
Wittenmeyer, during the late war, who 
called a convention for the purpose at Mus- 
catine, September 7, 1863, and uly 13 fol- 
lowing the institution was opened m a brick 
building at Lawrence, Van Buren County. 
It was sustained by voluntary contributions 
until 1866, when the State took charge of 
it. The Legislature provided at first for 
three " homes." The one in Cedar Falls 
was organized in 1865, an old hotel build- 
ing being fitted up for it, and by the follow- 
ing January there were ninety-six inmates. 
In October, i86g, the Home was removed 
to a large brick building about two miles 
west of Cedar Falls, and was ver)'^ prosper- 
ous for several 3'ears; but in 1876 the Leg- 
islature devoted this building to the State 
Normal School, and the buildings and 
grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home 
at Glenvvood, Mills County, to an institution 
for the support of feeble-minded children, 
and also provided for the removal of the 
soldiers' orphans at the Glenwood and 
Cedar Falls homes to the institution at 
Davenport. The latter has now in charge 
169 orphans. 

The Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, 
referred to above, is at Glenwood, estab- 
lished by the Legislature in March, 1876. 
The institution was opened September i. 



following, with a few pupils ; but now the 
attendance is 215, in the care of four teach- 
ers. This asylum is managed by three trus- 
tees, one of whom must be a resident of that 
county. Mills. 

The first penitentiary was established in 
1 84 1, near Fort Madison, its present loca- 
tion. The cost of the original building was 
$55,934, and its capacity was sufficient for 
138 convicts. At present there are at this 
prison 364 convicts, in charge of forty-three 
employes. 

The penitentiary at Anamosa was estab- 
lished in 1872-3. It now has 239 convicts 
and thirty-four employes. 

The boys' reform school was permanently 
located at Eldora, Hardin County, in 1872. 
For the three years previous it was kept at 
the building of the Iowa Manual Labor In- 
stitute at Salem, Henry Count)'. Only 
boys between seven and sixteen years of 
age are admitted. Credit of time for good 
conduct is given, so that occasionally one 
is discharged before he is of age. There 
are now (1885) 201 pupils here. 

The "girls' department" is at Mitchell- 
ville, similarly managed. Inmates, eighty- 
three. 

The State Historical Society is in part 
supported by the State, the Governor ap- 
pointing nine of the eighteen curators. 
This society was provided for in connection 
with the University, by legislative act of 
January 28, 1857, and it has published a 
series of valuable collections, and a large 
number of finely engraved portraits of 
prominent and early settlers. 

The State Agricultural Society is con- 
ducted under the auspices of the State, and 
is one of the greatest promoters of the 
welfare of the people among all the State 
organizations. It holds an annual fair at 
Des Moines, and its proceedings are also 
published annually, at the expense of the 
State. 

The Fish-Hatching House has been sue- 



«S4 



HISTOnr OF IOWA. 



cessfuUy carrying on its good work since 
its establishment in 1874, near Anamosa. 
Three fish commissioners are appointed, 
one for each of the three districts into which 
the State is for the purpose divided. 

The State Board of Health, established 
in 1880, has an advisor)^ supervision, and to 
a limited extent also a police supervision, 
over the health of the people, — -especially 
with reference to the abatement of those 
nuisances that are most calculated to pro- 
mulgate dangerous and contagious diseases. 
Their publications, which are made at the 
expense of the State, should be studied by 
every citizen 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The germ of the free public school sys- 
tem of Iowa, which now ranks second to 
none in the United States, was planted by 
the first settlers, and in no other public 
measure have the people ever since taken 
so deep an interest. They have expanded 
and improved their original system until 
now it is justly considered one of the most 
complete, comprehensive and liberal in the 
country. 

Nor is this to be wondered at when it is 
remembered that humble log school-houses 
were built almost as soon as the log cabins 
of the earliest settlers were occupied, and 
school- teachers were among the first im- 
migrants to Iowa. Schools, therefore, the 
people have had every where from the start, 
and the school-houses, in their character and 
accommodations, have kept fully abreast 
with the times. 

The first school-house within the limits 
of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built by 
J. L. Lang worthy and a few other miners, 
in the autumn of 1833. When it was com- 
pleted George Cabbage was employed as 
teacher during the winter of 1833-4, thirty- 
five pupils attending his school. Barrett 
Whittemore taught the next school term, 
with twenty-five pupils in attendance. Mrs. 
Caroline Dexter commenced teaching in 



Dubuque in March, 1836. She was the first 
female teacher there, and probably the first 
in Iowa. In 1839 Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 
afterward for ten years Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, opened an English and 
classical school in Dubuque. The first tax 
for the support of schools at Dubuque was 
levied in 1840. 

At Burlington a commodious log school- 
house, built in 1834, was among the first 
buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught 
the first school in the winter of i834-'5. 

In Muscatine County, the first school was 
taught by George Bumgardner, in the 
spring of 1837. In 1839 ^ I0& school-house 
was erected in Muscatine, which served for 
a long time as school-house, church and 
public hall. 

The first school in Davenport was taught 
in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Sawyer, 
James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed taught 
school in 1839. 

Johnson County was an entire wilderness 
when Iowa City was located as the capital 
of the Territory of Iowa, in May, 1839. 
The first sale of lots took place August 18, 
1839, ^""^ before January i, 1840, about 
twenty families had settled within the limits 
of the town. During the same year Jesse 
Berr}' opened a school in a small frame 
building he had erected on what is now 
College street. 

In Monroe County, the first settlement 
was made in 1843, by Mr. John R. Gray, 
about two miles from the present site of 
Eddy ville ; and in the summer of iS44alog 
school-house was built by Gray, William 
V. Beedle, C. Renfro, Joseph McMullen 
and Willoughby Randolph, and the first 
school was opened by Miss Urania Adams. 
The building was occupied for school pur- 
poses for nearly ten years. 

About a year after the first cabin was 
built at Oskaloosa, a log school-house was 
built, in which school was opened by Sam- 
uel W. Caldwell, in 1844. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



'SS 



At Fort Des Moines, now the capital of 
tiie State, the first school was taught by 
Lewis Whitten, Clerk of the District Court, 
in the winter of i846-'7, in one of the rooms 
on '• Coon Row," built for barracks. 

The first school in Pottawattamie County 
was opened by George Green, a Mormon, 
at Council Point, prior to 1849; 'i"*^ until 
about 1854 nearly all the teachers in that 
vicinity were Mormons. 

The first school in Decorah was taught in 
1855, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, since Gov- 
ernor of the State. In Crawford County the 
first school-house was built in Mason's 
Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry first 
occupied it as teacher. 

During the first twenty years of the his- 
tory of Iowa, the log school-house pre- 
vailed, and in 1861 there were 893 of these 
primitive structures in use for school pur- 
poses in the State. Since that time they 
have been gradually disappearing. In 1865 
there were 796; in 1870, 336; and in 1875, 
121. 

In 1846, the year of Iowa's admission as 
a State, there were 20,000 scholars out of 
100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school dis- 
tricts had been organized. In 1850 there 
were 1,200, and in 1857 the number had in- 
creased to 3,265. 

In March, 1858, upon the recommenda- 
tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, the seventh 
General Assembly enacted that " each civil 
township is declared a school district," and 
provided that these should be divided into 
sub-districts. This law went into force 
March 20, 1858, and reduced the number of 
school districts from about 3,500 to less than 
900. This change of school organization 
resulted in a very material reduction of the 
expenditures for the compensation of dis- 
trict secretaries and treasurers. An effort 
was made for several years, from 1867 to 
1872, to abolish the sub-district system. 
Mr. Kissell, Superintendent, recommended 

14 



this in his repoit of January i, 1872, and 
Governor Merrill forcibly endorsed his 
views in his annual message. But the 
Legislature of that year provided for the 
formation of independent districts from the 
sub-districts of district townships. 

The system of graded schools was in- 
augurated in 1849, 'I'ld "^^^ schools, in 
which more than one teacher is employed, 
are universally graded. 

Teachers' institutes were organized early 
in the history of the State. The first offi- 
cial mention of them occurs in the annual 
report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 
made December 2, 1850, who said: "An 
institution of this character was organized 
a few years ago, composed of the teachers 
of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wisconsin 
and Iowa. An association of teachers has 
also been formed in the county of Henry, 
and an effort was made in October last to 
organize a regular institute in the county 
of Jones." 

No legislation, however, was held until 
March, 1858, when an act was passed au- 
thorizing the holding of teachers' institutes 
for periods not less than si.x working days, 
whenever not less than thirty teachers 
should desire. The superintendent was 
authorized to expend not exceeding $100 
for any one institute, to be paid out 'by the 
county superintendent, as the institute may 
direct, for teachers and lecturers, and $1,- 
000 was appropriated to defray the expenses 
of these institutes. Mr. Fisher at once 
pushed the matter of holding institutes, and 
December 6, 1858, he reported to the Board 
of Education that institutes had been ap- 
pointed in twenty counties within the pre- 
ceding six months, and more would have 
been held but the appropriation had been 
exhausted. At the first session of the Board 
of Education, commencing December 6, 
1858, a code of school laws was enacted, 
which retained the existing ])r(^visions for 
teachers' institutes. In March, i860, the 



156 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



General Assembl)' amended the act of the 
board by appropriating " a sum not ex- 
ceeding $50 annually for one such institute, 
held as provided by law in each county." 
In 1865 the superintendent, Mr. Faville, re- 
ported that " the provision made by the 
State for the benefit of teachers' institutes 
has never been so fully appreciated, both 
by the people and the teachers, as during 
the last two years." Under this law an in- 
stitute is held annually in each county, 
under the direction of the county superin- 
tendent. 

By an act approved March 19, 1874, nor- 
mal institutes were established in each 
county, to be held annually by the count}' 
superintendent. This was regarded as a 
very decided step in advance by Mr. Aber- 
nethy, and in 1876 the General Assembly 
established the first permanent State Nor- 
mal School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk 
Count}^ appropriating the building and 
property of the Soldiers' Orphans Home 
at that place for that purpose. This school 
is now " in the full tide of successful ex- 
periment." 

Funds for the support of the public 
schools are derived in several ways. The 
sixteenth section of every congressional 
township was set apart by the General 
Govefnment lor school purposes, being 
one thirty-sixth part of all the lands of the 
State. The minimum price of these lands 
was fixed at $1.25 per acre. Congress also 
made an additional donation to the State of 
500,000 acres, and an appropriation of 5 
per cent, on all the sales of public lands to 
the school fund. The State gives to this 
fund the proceeds of the sales of all lands 
which escheat to it ; the proceeds of all 
fines for the violation of the liquor and 
criminal laws. The money derived from 
these sources constitutes the permanent 
school fund of the State, which cannot be 
diverted to any other purpose. The pen- 
alties collected by the courts for lines and 



forfeitures go to the school fund in the 
counties where collected. The proceeds 
of the sale of lands and the 5 per cent, fund 
go into the State Treasury, and the State 
distributes these proceeds to the several 
counties according to their request. 

In 1844 there were in the State 4,339 
school districts, containing 11,244 schools, 
and employing 21,776 teachers. The aver- 
age monthly pay of male teachers was 
$32.50, and of female teachers $27.25. There 
were 594,730 persons of school age, of whom 
431,513 were enrolled in the public schools. 
The average cost of tuition for each pupil 
per month was $1.62. The expenditures 
for all school purposes was $5,129,819.49. 
The permanent school fund is now $3,547,- 
123.82, on which the income for 1881 was 
$234,622.40. 

Besides the State University, Agricult- 
ural College and Normal School, described 
on preceding pages, ample provision for 
higher education has been made by the 
different religious denominations, assisted 
by local and individual beneficence. There 
are, exclusive of State institutions, twenty- 
three universities and colleges, and one 
hundred and eleven academies and other 
private schools for the higher branches. 
All these are in active operation, and most 
of them stand high. 

Amity College, located at College 
Springs, Page County, has eight instructors 
and two hundred and forty-five students. 

Burlington University, eight instructors 
and forty-three pupils. 

Callanan College, at Des Moines, has 
eighteen in the faculty and one hundred 
and twenty students enrolled. . 

Central University, at Pella, Marion 
County, is under the auspices of the Baptist 
church, and has eleven in the faculty and 
one hundred and two students. 

Coe College, at Cedar Rapids, has a 
faculty of ten, and an attendance of one 
hundred and ninety-nine. 



f/rSTORT OF IOWA. 



1 57 



Cornell College, Methodist Episcopal, at 
Mt. Vernon, Linn County, has eighteen 
members of the faculty and four hundred 
and seventy-nine scholars. This is a strong 
institution. 

Drake University, at Des Moines, has 
thirty instructors and three hundred and 
t\vent3'-five pupils. 

Griswold College, at Davenport, is under 
the control of the Episcopal church, and 
has seven instructors and seventy-five stu- 
dents. 

Iowa College, at Grinnell, is permanent!}- 
endowed. Has fourteen instructors and 
three hundred and eighty-four students. 

Iowa Wesleyan University (Methodist 
Episcopal), at Mt. Pleasant, has si.x mem- 
bers of the faculty and one hundred and 
seventy-five students. 

Luther College, at Decorah, Winneshiek 
Count}', has a faculty of ten, and one hun- 
dred and sixty-five pupils. 

Oskaloosa College has a faculty of five, 
and one hundi'ed and tiiirty-five students. 

Penn College, at Oskaloosa, has a faculty 
of five members, and one hundred and forty- 
pupils in attendance. 

Simpson Centenary College, at Indianola, 
Warren County (Methodist Episcopal), has 
a faculty of seven and an attendance of two 
hundred. 

Tabor College, at Tabor, Fremont 
County, modeled after the Oberlin (Ohio) 
College, has twelve members in the facult}' 
and an attendance of two hundred and ten 
scholars. 

Universit}- of Des Moines has five in- 
structors and fifty pupils. 

Upper Iowa University (Methodist Epis- 
copal), located at Fayette, in Fayette 
County, has eleven instructors and three 
hundred and fifty students. 

Whittier College, at Salem, Henry 
County, is under the auspices of the 
Friends. There are two instructors and 
sixty pupils. 



STATISTICAL. 

When Wisconsin Territory was organ- 
ized in 1836, the entire population of that 
portion of the Territory now embraced in 
the State of Iowa was 10,531. The Terri- 
tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque 
and Des Moines, erected by the Territory 
of Michigan in 1834. Since then the 
counties have increased to ninety-nine, and 
the population in 1S80 was 1,624,463. The 
following table will show the population at 
different periods since the erection of Iowa 
Territory : 



Year. Population 

1S3S 22,589 

18+0 43. '15 

1S44 ys.'s^ 

1S46 97,588 

1847 116,651 

1849 152,988 

1850 191,982 

1851 204,774 

1852 ...230,713 

1854 326,013 

1856 519.055 



Year Population 

'859 638,77s 

i860 .. 674,913 

'863 701,732 

'865 750,699 

1867 902,040 

1869 1,040.819 

1870 1,191,727 

'873 1,251,333 

1875 1 366,000 

1880 1,624463 



The most populous county is Dubuque — 
42,997. Polk County has 42,395, and Scott, 
41,270. Not only in population, but in 
everything contributing to the growth and 
greatness of a State, has Iowa made rapid 
progress. In a little more than thirty-five 
years its wild but beautiful prairies have 
advanced from the home of the savage to a 
highly civilized commonwealth. 

The first railroad across the State was 
completed to Council Bluffs in Januarv, 
1 87 1. The completion of three others scon 
followed. In 1854 there was not a mile of 
railroad in Iowa. Within the succeeding- 
twenty years, 3,765 miles were built and 
put in successful operation. 

The present value of buildings for our 
State institutions is as follows : 



Sta;e Capitol $2,500,000 

State University. 400,000 
Agricultural Col. 

and Farm 300,000 

Inst, for the Blind 150,000 
Institution for the 

Deaf and Dumb 225,000 



Institutions for the 

Insane $1,149,000 

Orphans' H>me.. 62,000 
Penitentiaries.... 408,000 
Normal School . . 50,000 
Reform School. . 90,000 



ijS 



HISTORr OF IOWA. 



The State has never levied more than 
two and one-half mills on the dollar for 
State tax, and this is at present the consti- 
tutional limit. 

Iowa has no State debt. Whatever obli- 
gations have been incurred in the past have 
been promptl}' met and fully paid. Many 
of the counties are in debt, but only four of 
them to an amount exceeding $100,000 each. 
The bonded debt of the counties amounts 
in the aggregate to $2,592,222, and the float- 
ing debt, $153,456; total, $2,745,678. 

In the language of Judge C. C. Nourse, 
we feel compelled to say : " The great ulti- 
mate fact that America would demonstrate 
is, the existence of a people capable of at- 
taining and preserving a superior civiliza- 
tion, with a government self-imposed, self- 
administered and self-perpetuated. In this 
age of wonderful progress, America can 
exhibit nothing to the world of mankind 
more wonderful or more glorious than her 
new States — young empires, born of her 
own enterprise and tutored at her own 
political hearth-stone. Well may she say 
to the monarchies of the Old World, who 
look for evidence of her regal grandeur 
and state, 'Behold, these are my jewels!' 
and may she never blush to add, ' This one 
in the center of the diadem is Iowa !' " 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Iowa, in the highly figurative and ex- 
pressive language of the aborigines, is said 
to signify " The Beautiful Land," and was 
applied by them to this magnificent section 
of the country between the two great rivers. 

The general shape of the State is that of 
a rectangle, the northern and southern 
boundaries being due east and west lines, 
and its ea.stern and western boundaries de- 
termined by southerly flowing rivers — the 
Mississippi on the east and the Missouri 
and the Big Sioux on the west. The width 
of the State from north to south is over 200 
miles, being from the parallel of 43° 30' to 



that of 40° 36', or merely three degrees; 
but this does not include the small angle at 
the southeast corner. The length of the 
State from east to west is about 265 miles. 
The area is 55,044 square miles, nearly all 
of which is readily tillable and highly fer- 
tile. 

The State lies wholly within, and com- 
prises a part of a vast plain, and there is no 
mountainous or even hilly country within 
its borders, excepting the bluffs of the larger 
rivers. The highest point is near Spirit 
Lake, and is but 1,200 feet above the lowestf 
which is in the southeast corner, and is 444 
feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico. 
The average descent per mile between these 
two points is four feet, and that from Spirit 
Lake to the northeast corner of the State, 
at low-water mark of the Mississippi, is five 
feet five inches. 

It has been estimated that about seven- 
eighths of Iowa was prairie when the white 
race first settled here. It seems to be a set- 
tled point in science that the 'annual fires of 
the Indians, prevented this western country 
from becoming heavily timbered. 

GEOLOGY. 

Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into 
three general divisions, which not only 
possess different physical characters, but 
also differ in the mode of their origin. 
These are drift, bluff and alluvial and be- 
long respectively to the deposits bearing 
the same names. The drift occupies a 
much larger part of the surface of the State 
than both the others. The bluff has the 
next greatest area of surface. 

All soil is disintegrated rock. The drift 
deposit of Iowa was derived to a consider- 
able extent from the rocks of Minnesota; 
but the greater part was derived from its 
own rocks, much of which has been trans- 
ported but a short distance. In Northern 
and Northwestern Iowa the drift contains 
more sand and sfravel than elsewhere. In 



HIS TOR r OF IOWA. 



'59 



Southern Iowa the soil is frequently stiff 
and cla\-ey. The bluff soil is found onl}' in 
the western part of the State, and adjacent 
to Missouri River. Although it contains 
less than i per cent, of clay in its com- 
position, it is in no respect inferior to the 
best drift soil. The alluvial soil is that of 
the flood plains of the river valleys, or bot- 
tom lands. That which is periodically 
flooded by the rivers is of little value for 
agricultural purposes ; but a large part of 
it is entirely above the reach of the highest 
flood, and is very productive. 

The stratified rocks of Iowa range from 
the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive ; but 
the greater portion of the surface of the 
State is occupied by those of the Palseozoic 
age. The table below will show each of 
these formations in their order : 



r 

o 

n 
1 

W 

S" 



GO 

■o < 
n o 
■> 3 

C/3 5' 

r: 3 

c 



O 

a- 
o 

3_ 

o 

B 



13 

i' 

o 



3 o (m 3 
5 3^=: 

I"! 



73 

C 

cr 



3 



o 

o 



r 
c 

3- 



5" o o ." 

X D. a " 

^ a> -I re 

-I »3q 

N 3 3 M 

■-- Q, rti -: 

S»i 2.3 

§ 3 » 



3 e. " 5- » 

3 rt ." dc 3 

— 3 C » ~ 

O p o -> ^ 

3 rl?rP o 

3 n Cfl3 =• 

/t ^ 3* re 3 

V. o aj S£. re 

o 3 reO S. 

3 re i^ 3 O 

re : : re 3 



7!Cd 

3-^ 
ci- 3; 

n 3 

3- era 
§1 

re g 



'S5S^5-o 



re 



o : 

3 ■ 



re . O 
° S 

^rre 

3-t:^ 
™ 1 = 

re re 



:s2- 






» 



a, O. re 
^ cr a. 

a. o 
2. 3 
o " 

3 B 

re 3 



W 



OOCOOOOOOVi O^Ot^ O O O O O O 





ti) 




•< 


> 


2 





H 


n 


M 


Cfl 


S 




CA 




Q 






c 


M 


•5 


» 






"1 









w 


TJ 


2 


u 


> 




H 













S! 




_w 




H 


•/. 


5 







pt 


7! 


H 


w 




en 



The Sioux quartzite, in the azoic system, 
is found exposed in natural ledges only 
upon a few acres in the extreme northwest 
corner of the State, upon the banks of the 
Big Sioux River, for which reason the 
specific name of Sioux quartzite has been 
given them. It is an intensely hard rock, 
breaks in splinter)' fracture, and of a color 
varying, in different localities, from a light 
to deep red. The process of metamorphism 
has been so complete throughout the whole 
formation that the rock is almost every- 
where of uniform texture. The dip is four 
or five degrees to the northward, and the 
trend of the outcrop is eastward and west- 
ward. 

The Potsdam sandstone formation is ex- 
posed only in a small portion of the north- 
eastern part of the State. It is only to be 
seen in the bases of the bluffs and steep 
valley sides which border the river there. 
It is nearly valueless for economic purposes. 
No fossils have been discovered in this for- 
mation in Iowa. 

The Lower Wagnesian limestone has but 
little greater geographical extent in Iowa 
than the Potsdam sandstone. It lacks a 
uniformity of texture and stratification, ow- 
ing to which it is not generally valuable for 
building purposes. 

The St. Peter's sandstone formation is 
remarkably uniform in thickness through- 
out its known geographical extent, and it 
occupies a large portion of the northern 
half of Allamakee County; immediately be- 
neath the drift. 

With the exception of the Trenton lime- 
stone, all the limestones of both Upper and 
Lower Silurian age in Iowa are magnesian 
limestone. This formation occupies large 
portions of Winneshiek and Allamakee 
counties, and a small part of Clayton. The 
greater part of it is useless for economic 
purposes ; but there are some compact, 
even layers that furnish fine material for 
window caps and sills. 



f6o 



HISTORY OF WWA. 



The Galena limestone is the upper for- 
mation of the Trenton Group. It is 150 
miles long and seldom exceeds twelve miles 
in width. It exhibits its greatest develop- 
ment in Dubuque County. It is nearly a 
pure dolomite with a slight admixture of 
silicious matter ; good blocks for dressing 
are sometimes found near the top of the 
bed, although it is usual!)- unfit for such a 
purpose. This formation is the source of 
the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines. 
The lead region proper is confined to an 
area of about fifteen miles square in the 
vicinit}' of Dubuque. The ore occurs in 
vertical fissures, which traverse the rock at 
regular intervals from east to west ; some 
is found in those which have a north and 
south direction. This ore is mostly that 
known as galena, or sulphuret of lead, very 
small quantities only of the carbonate being 
found with it. 

The surface occupied by the Maquoketa 
shales is more than 100 miles in length, but 
issingularlv long and narrow, seldom reach- 
ing more than a mile or two in width. The 
most northern exposure ^et recognized is 
in the western part of Winneshiek County, 
while the most southerly is in Jackson 
County, in the bluffs of the Mississippi. 
The formation is largely composed of bluish 
and brownish shales, sometimes slightly 
arenaceous, sometimes calcareous, which 
weather into a tenacious cla}' upon the sur- 
face, and the soil derived from it is usually 
stiff and clayey. 

The area occupied by the Niagara lime- 
stone is forty and fifty miles in width and 
nearly 160 miles long from north to south. 
This formation is entirel}' a magnesian lime- 
stone, with a considerable portion of sili- 
cious matter, in some places, in the form of 
chert or coarse flint. A large part of it 
probably affords the best and greatest 
amount of quarry rock in the State. The 
quarries at Anamosa, Le Claire and Farley 
are all opened in this formation 



The area of surface occupied by the 
Hamilton limestone and shales, is as great 
as those by all the formations of both Upper 
and Lower Silurian age in the State. Its 
length is nearly 200 miles, and width from 
fort}- to fiftv. Portions of it are valuable 
for economic purposes ; and, having a large 
geographical extent in the State, is a very 
important formation. Its value for the pro- 
duction of hydraulic lime has been demon- 
strated at Waverlv, Bremer Count}-. The 
heavier and more uniform magnesian beds 
furnish material for bridge piers and other 
material requiring strength and durability. 
A coral occurs near Iowa Cit3% known as 
" Iowa City marble" and " bird's-eye mar- 
ble." 

Of the three groups of formations that 
constitute the carboniferous, viz., the sub- 
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian, 
only the first two are found in Iowa. 

The Subcarboniferous group occupies a 
very large area of surface. Its eastern 
border passes from the northeastern part of 
Winnebago Count}-, with considerable di- 
rectness in a southeasterly direction to the 
northern part of Washington County. It 
then makes a broad and direct bend nearly 
eastward, striking the Mississippi at Mus- 
catine. The southern and western bound- 
aries are to a considerable extent the same 
as that which separates it from the real 
field. From the southern part of Poca- 
hontas County it passes southeast to Fort 
Dodge, thence to Webster City, thence to 
a point three or four miles northeast of El- 
dora, in Hardin Countv, thence southward 
to the middle of the north line of Jasper 
County, thence southeastward to Sigour- 
nev, in Keokuk County, thence to the north- 
eastern corner of Jefferson County, thence 
sweeping a few miles eastward to the south- 
east corner of Van Burcn County. Its arc 
is about 250 miles long and from twenty to 
fifty miles wide. 

The most southerly exposure of the Kin- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



i6i 



derhook beds is in Des Moines County, 
near the mouth of Skunk River. The most 
northerly now known is in the eastern part 
o( Pocahontas County, more than 200 miles 
distant. The principal exposures of this 
formation are along the bluffs which border 
the Mississippi and Skunk rivers, where 
they form the eastern and northern bound- 
ary of Des Moines County ; along English 
River, in Washington County ; along the 
Iowa River, in Tama, Marshall, Hamlin 
and Franklin counties, and along the Des 
Moines River, in Humboldt County. This 
formation has a considerable economic 
value, particular!}' in the northern portion 
of the region it occupies. In Pocahontas 
and Humboldt counties it is invaluable, as 
no other stone except a few boulders are 
found here. At Iowa Falls the lower 
division is very good for building purposes. 
In Marshall County all the limestone to be 
obtained comes from this formation, and 
the quarries near Le Grand are very valu- 
able. At this point some of the la)^ers are 
finely veined with peroxide of iron, and are 
wrought into both useful and ornamental 
objects. In Tama County the oolitic mem- 
ber is well exposed, where it is manufact- 
ured into lime. Upon exposure to atmos- 
phere and frost it crumbles to pieces ; 
consequently it is not valuable for building 
purposes. 

The Burlington limestone is carried down 
by the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so 
that it is seen for the last time in this State 
in the valley of Skunk River, near the 
southern boundary of Des Moines County ; 
it has been recognized in the northern part 
of Washington County, which is the most 
northerly point that it has been found ; but 
it probably exists as far north as Marshall 
Count3\ Much valuable material is afforded 
by this formation for economic purposes. 
The upper division furnishes excellent com- 
mon quarry rock. Geologists are attracted 
by the great abundance and variety of its 



fossils — crinoids — now known to be more 
than 300. 

The Keokuk limestone formation is to be 
seen only in four counties : Lee, Van Buren, 
Henry and Des Moines. In some localities 
the upper silicious portion is,known as the 
Geode bed ; it is not recognizable in the 
northern portion of the formation, nor in 
connection with it where it is exposed, 
about eighty miles below Keokuk. The 
geodes of the Geode bed are more or less 
masses of silex, usually hollow and lined 
with crystals of quartz ; the outer crust is 
rough and unsightl}', but the crystals which 
stud the interior are often very beautiful ; 
they vary in size from the size of a walnut 
to a foot in diameter. This formation is of 
great economic value. Large quantities 
of its stone have been used in the finest 
structures in the State, among which are 
the postofifices at Dubuque and Des Moines.' 
The principal quarries are along the banks 
of the Mississippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo. 

The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost 
of the subcarboniferous group in Iowa. It 
occupies a small superficial area, consisting 
of long, narrow strips, j'et its extent is very 
great. It is first seen resting on the Geode 
division of the Keokuk limestone, near Keo- 
kuk; proceeding northward, it forms a 
narrow border along the edge of the coal 
fields in Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Jeffer- 
son, Washington, Keokuk and Mahaska 
counties; it is then lost sight of until it 
appears again in the banks of Boone River, 
where it again passes out of view under the 
Coal Measures, until it is next seen in the 
banks of the Des Moines, near Fort Dodge. 
As it exists in Iowa, it consists of three 
tolerably distinct sub-divisions : The mag- 
nesian, arenaceous and calcareous. The 
upper division furnishes excellent material 
for quicklime, and when quarries are well 
opened, as in the northwestern part of Van 
Buren County, large blocks are obtained. 
The sandstone, or middle division, is of 



1 62 



HISTORT OF IOWA. 



little value. The lower, or magnesian di- 
vision, furnishes a valuable and durable 
stone, exposures of which are found on Lick 
Creek, in Van Buren County, and on Long 
Creek, seven miles west of Burlington. 

The Coal Measure group is properly 
divided into three formations, viz.: The 
Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures, 
each having a vertical thickness of about 
200 feet. The Lower Coal Measures exist 
eastward and northward of the Des Moines 
River, and also occupy a large area west- 
ward and southward of that river, but their 
southerly dip passes them below the Middle 
Coal Measures at no great distance from 
the river. This formation possesses greater 
economic value than any other in the whole 
State. The clay that underlies almost ever}' 
bed of coal furnishes a large amount of ma- 
terial for potter's use. The sandstone of 
these measures is usually soft and unfit, but 
in some places, as in Red Rock in Marion 
County, blocks of large dimensions are ob- 
tained, which make good building material, 
samples of which can be seen in the State 
Arsenal, at Des Moines. 

The Upper Coal Measures occupy a 
very large area, comprismg thirteen whole 
counties, in the southwestern part of the 
State. By its northern and eastern bound- 
aries it adjoins the area occupied by the 
Middle Coal Measures. 

The next strata in the geological series 
are of the Cretaceous age. They are found 
in the western half of the State, and do not 
dip, as do all the other formations upon 
which they rest, to the southward and west- 
ward, but have a general dip of their own 
to the north of westward, which, however, 
is very slight. Although the actual ex- 
posures of cretaceous rocks are few in Iowa, 
there is reason to believe that nearly all the 
western half of the State was originally 
occupied by them ; but they have been 
removed by denudation, which has taken 
place at two separate periods. 



The Nishnabotany sandstone has the most 
easterly and southerly extent of the cre- 
taceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the 
southeastern part of Guthrie County and 
the southern part of Montgomery County. 
To the northward, it passes beneath the 
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter 
passing beneath the chalky beds. This 
sandstone is, with few exceptions, valueless 
for economic purposes. 

The chalky beds rest upon the Wood- 
bury sandstone and shales. Thev have not 
been observed in Iowa except in the blufifs 
which border the Big Sioux River in Wood- 
bury and Plymouth counties. They are 
composed almost entirely of calcareous ma- 
terial, the upper portion of which is exten- 
sively used for lime. No building material 
can be obtained from these beds, and the 
only value they possess, except lime, are 
the marls, which at some time may be use- 
ful on the soil of the adjacent region. 

Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern 
Middle Iowa, which, it is estimated, contain 
the following areas: Cerro Gordo County, 
1,500 acres; Worth, 2,000; Winnebago, 2,- 
000; Hancock, 1,500; Wright, 500; Kos- 
suth, 700; Dickinson, 80. Several other 
counties contain peat beds, but the peat is 
inferior to that in the northern part of the 
State. The beds are of an average depth 
of four feet. It is estimated that each acre 
of these beds will furnish 250 tons of dry 
fuel for each foot in depth. At present 
this peat is not utilized ; but owing to its 
great distance from the coal fields and the 
absence of timber, the time is coming when 
its value will be fully realized. 

The only sulphate of the alkaline earths 
of any economic value is gypsum, and it 
may be found in the vicinity of Fort Dodge 
in Webster County. The deposit occupies 
a nearly central position in the county, the 
Des Moines River running nearly centrally 
through it, along the valley sides of which 
the gypsum is seen in the form of ordinary 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



«63 



rock cliff and ledges, and also occurring 
abundantly in similar positions along both 
sides of the valleys of the smaller streams 
and of the numerous ravines coming into 
the river valley. The mo'st northerly known 
limit of the deposit is at a point near the 
mouth of Lizard Creek, a tributary of the 
Des Moines River and almost adjoining the 
town of Fort Dodge. The most southerly 
point at which it has been exposed is about 
six miles, by way of the river, from the 
northerly point mentioned. The width of 
the area is unknow'n, as the gypsum be- 
comes lost beneath the overlying drift, as 
one goes up the ravines and minor valleys. 

On either side of the creeks and ravines 
which come into the valley of the Des 
Moines River, the gypsum is seen jutting 
out from beneath the drift in the form of 
ledges and bold quarry fronts, having al- 
most the exact appearance of ordinary lime- 
stone exposures, so horizontal and regular 
its lines of stratification, and so similar in 
color is it to some varieties of that rock. 
The principal quarries now opened are on 
Two Mile Creek, a couple of miles below 
Fort Dodge. 

Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having 
been discovered near Burlington, all the 
sulphates of alkahne earths of natural origin 
have been recognized in Iowa, all except 
the sulphate of lime being in very small 
quantity. 

Sulphate of lime in the various forms of 
fibrous gypsum, selenite and small, amoi- 
phous masses, has also been discovered in 
various formations in different parts of the 
State, including the Coal Measure shales 
near Fort Dodge, where it exists in small 
quantities, quite independently of the great 
gypsum of deposit there. The quantity of 
gypsum in these minor deposits is alwa^'s 
too small to be of an)' practical value, 
usually occurring in shales and shaly clays, 
associated with strata that contain more or 
less sulphuret of iron. Gypsum has thi^ 

IS 



been detected in the Coal Measures, the St. 
Louis limestone, the Cretaceous strata, and 
also in the dead caves of Dubuque. 

Sulphate of strontia is found at Fort 
Dodge. 

CLIMATE. 

The greatest objection to the climate of 
this State is the prevalence of wind, which 
is somewhat greater than in the States south 
and east, but not so great as farther west. 
The air is purer than either east or south, 
as indicated by the bluer sky and conse- 
quent deeper green vegetation, and is 
therefore more bracing. By way of con- 
trast. Northern Illinois has a whiter sky 
and a consequent more yellowish green 
vegetation. 

The prevailing direction of the wind is 
from the west. 

Thunder-storms are somewhat more vio- 
lent here than east or south, but not so 
furious as toward the Rocky Mountains. 
The greatest rainfall is in the southeastern 
part of the State, and the least in the north- 
western portion. The increase of timber 
growth is increasing the amount of rain, as 
well as distributing it more evenly through- 
out the year. As elsewhere in the North- 
western States, easterly winds brino- rain 
and snow, while westerly ones clear the sk}'. 
While the highest temperature occurs here 
in August, the month of July averages the 
hottest, and January the coldest. The mean 
temperature of April and October nearly 
corresponds to the mean temperature of 
the year, as well as to the seasons of spring 
and fall, while that of summer and winter 
is best represented by August and Decem- 
ber. Indian summer is delightful and well 
prolonged. Untimely frosts sometimes oc- 
cur, but seldom severely enough to do 
great injury. The wheat crop being a 
staple product of this State, and not injured 
at all by frost, this great resource of the 
State continues intact. 



164 



HISTORT OF IOWA. 



CENSUS OF IOWA. 



COUNTIES. 



Adair 

Adams 

Allamakee.. . 

Appanoose . . 

Audubon. . . . 

Benton 

Black Hawk. 

Boone 

Bremer 

Buchanan . . . 

Buena Vista.. 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar 

Cerro Gordo. 

Cherokee. . . . 

Chickasaw 

Clarke 

Clay 

Clayton 

Clinton 

Crawford 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur 

Delaware 

Des Moines.. , 

Dickinson. . . , 

Dubuque , 

Eminett 

Fayette 

Floyd , 

Franklin 

Fremont 

Greene 

Grundy 

Guthrie 

Hamilton 

Hancook 

Hardin 

Harrison 

Henry 

Howard 

Humboldt. . . . 

Ida 

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jasper 

Jefferson 

Johnson 

Jones 

Keokuk 

Kossuth 

Lee 

Linn 

Louisa 

Lucas 

Lj'On 

Madison 

Mahaska 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mills 



1850 



777 
3.131 



672 
'35 
735 



S"7 



3,94' 



709 

3,873 
2,822 



854 
7.26^ 

965 

1,759 

12,988 



i860. 



10,841 



82s 
■.244 



8,707 



7,210 
1,280 

9-904 
4,472 
3,007 
4,822 



1 8,86 1 

.S.444 

4,939 

47' 



','79 

5989 

5.482 

338 



1870. 



984 
'.533 
12,237 
",93' 
454 
8,496 
8,244 
4,232 
4,915 
7.906 
57 
3,724 
'47 
281 
1,612 
12,949 
940 
58 
4.336 
5,427 
52 
20,728 
18,938 
383 
5,244 
13,764 
8,677 
11,024 
19,611 
iSo 
31,164 
105 
'2,073 
3,744 
',309 
. 5,074 
',374 
793 
3,058 
1,699 

'79 

5,440 

3.621 

■8,701 

3,168 

332 

43 
8,029 

18,493 
9,883 
'5,038, 
'7-573 
13,306 

13,27 
416 

29.232 
18,947 
'0,370 
S.766 

7,339 
14,816 
16 813 
6,015 
4,481 



3-982 

4,614 

17,868 

'6,456 

1,2 

22-454 
21,706 

'4.584 
12,528 

' 7-034 

'-585 
9,95' 
1,602 

2,451 
5,464 

'9.73' 
4,722 
1,967 

10, iSc 
8.735 
',5-'3 

27,771 

35,357 
2,530 

12,019 

15,565 
12,018 

'7.432 
27.256 

',389 
38,969 

',392 
'6,973 
10,768 

4,738 
",174 

4,627 

6,399 

7,06 

6.055 

999 

'3,684 

8,931 
21,463 

6,282 

2,596 

22b 

16,664 

22,619 

22,1:6 

17,839 
24,898 

19,731 
'9434 
3,35' 
37,210 
28,852 
'2,877 
10,388 
221 

'3,884 
22,508 
24,436 
'7,576 
8,718 



1880. 



COUNTIES. 



11,199 

11,188 

19.791 
16,636 

7.448 
24,888 

23 9'3 
20,838 
14,081 
18,547 

7,537 
'4,293 

5 ■.595 
'2.35' 
16.943 
18937 
1 1,461 

8,240 

'4,534 
",5'2 

4.248 
28,829 
36,764 
12,413 
18,746 
16,468 
15.336 
'7.952 
33.099 

1,901 

42,997 

1,550 

22,258 

14,677 
10,248 

'7,653 
'2,725 
12,639 

■4,863 
'1,252 
3,453 
17,808 
16,649 
20,826 
10,837 

6,341 

4,382 

19,221 

23.77' 
25,962 

17.478 

25.429 
21,052 

21.259 
6.179 
34.859 
37.235 
13.146 
'4.530 
1,968 

'7.225 

25,201 

25,111 

23,752 
14.1.3s 



Mitchell 

Monona 

Monroe 

Montgomery. . . 
Muscatine... . 

O'Brien 

Osceola 

Page 

Palo Alto 

Plymouth . . . . 
Pocahontas. . . . 

Polk 

Pottawattamie. 

Poweshiek 

Ringgold 

Sac 

Scott 

Shelby 

Sioux 

Story 

Tama 

Taylor 

Union 

Van Buren. . . . 

Wapello 

Warren 

Washington. . . 

Wayne 

Webster 

Winnebago. . . . 

Winneshiek 

Woodbury 

Worth..." 

Wright 



1850. 



i860. 



5.731 



551 



4,5 '3 

7,828 

615 



5,986 



8 
204 

12,270 

8,47' 
961 

4,957 
340 



3,409 

0^32 

8,612 

1.256 

16,444 

8 



546 



Total I 192,214 



4,419 
132 
148 

103 

11,625 

4.968 

5,668 

2923 
246 

25,959 

818 

10 

4.05 

5.2S5 

3,590 

2,012 

17,081 

14,518 

10,281 

'4,235 
6,409 

2,504 
16S 

'3,942 
1,119 

756 

653 



1870. 



1880. 



9,582 
3.654 

'2,724' 
5,934, 

21,688 

715 



9,975 
'.336 
2,199 
1,446 

27.857 
16,893 

15.581 
5,691 
1,411 

38,509 

2.S49 

570 

11,651 
16,131 

6,989 

5,986 
17,672 
22,346 
17,980 
18,952 
11,287 
10,484 

1,562 
23-570 

6,172; 

2,892 

2,392' 



14,361 
9,055 
■3,7'9 
15,895 
23,168 

4, '55 
2,219 

19,667 

4,'3i 

8,567 

3-713 

42,.395 

39.846 

18,936 

12,085 

8,77+ 
41,270 
12,696 

5,426 
16,966 
2 1, .585 

'S.635 
14,980 

1 7,042 
25,282 
19.578 

20,375 
16,127 

15.950 

4,917 

23.937 

■4,997 

7.953 

5.062 



674-913! 1.191.792 1,624,463 



TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 

Gmiernors. — Robert Lucas, 1838-41; John 
Chamber, i84i-'45 ; James Clark, 1845. 

Secretaries. — Wra. B. Conway, 1838, died 
1839; James Clark, 1839-41; O. H. \V. 
Stull, 1841-43; Samuel J. Burr, iS43-'45 ; 
Jesse Williams, 1845. 

Auditors. — Jesse Williams, 1840-43; Will- 
iam L. Gilbert, 1843-45; Robert M. Secrest, 
1845. 

Treasurers. — Thornton Bay lie, 1839-40; 
Morgan Reno, 1840. 

Judges. — Charles Mason, Chief Justice. 
1838; Joseph Williams, 1838; Thomas S. 
Wilson, 1838. 

Presidents of Council. — Jesse B. Brown, 
i838-'49; Stephen Hempstead, i839-'40; M. 
Bainridge. 1840-41; J. W. Parker, i84i-'42; 
John D. Elbert, 1842-43 ; Thomas Cox, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



'6S 



i843-'44; S. Clinton Hasting, 1845; Stephen 
Hempstead, i845-'46. 

Speakers of tlie House. — William H. Wal- 
lace, i838-'39; Edward Johnson, 1839-40; 
Thomas Cox, i840-'3i ; Warner Lewis, 
1841-42; James M. Morgan, i842-'43; James 
P. Carleton, i843-'44; James M.Morgan, 
1845 ; George W. McLeary, 1845-46. 

STATE OFFICERS. 

Governors. — Ansel Briggs, i846-'5o; 
Stephen Hempstead, i85o-'54; James W. 
Grimes, i854-'58; Ralph P. Lowe, 1858- 
'60; Samuel J. Kirkwood, i86o-'64; Will- 
iam M. Stone, i864-'68; Samuel Morrill, 
1868-72; Cyrus C. Carpenter, i872-'76; 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, i876-'77;J. G. New- 
bold, 1877-78; John H. Gear, 1878-82; 
Buren R. Sherman, i882-'86; William Lar- 
rabee, 1886. 

Lieutenant-Governors. — Oran Faville,i858- 
'60; Nicholas J. Rusch, i86o-'62; John R. 
Needham, i862-'64; Enoch W. Eastman, 
i864-'66; Benjamin F. Gue, i866-'68 ; John 
Scott, 1868-70; M. M. Walden, i870-'72 ; 
H. C. Bulls, 1872-74; Joseph Dysart, 
i874-'76; Joshua G. Newbold, i876-'78; 
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82; Orlando H. 
Manning, 1882-85 ; John A. T. Hull, 1886. 

This office was created by the new con- 
stitution Sept. 3, 1857. 

Secretaries of State. — Elisha Cutter, Jr., 
i846-'48; Joseph H. Bonney, i848-'5o; 
George W. McCleary, i850-'56; Elijah 
Sells, i856-'63; James Wright, 1863-67; 
Ed. Wright, i867-'73 ; Josiah T. Young, 
i873-'79; J- A. T. Hull, i879-'85 ; Franklin 
D. Jackson, 1885. 

Auditors of State. — Joseph T. Fales, 
i846-'50; William Pattee, i85o-'54; Andrew 
J. Stevens, i854-'55 '. John Pattee, i8S5-'59; 
Jonathan W. Cattell, i859-'6s ; John A. 
Elliott, 1865-71 ; John Russell, i87i-'7S ; 
Buren R. Sherman, i875-'8i ; Wm. V. 
Lucas, 1881 ; John L. Brown, i882-'83 ; J. 
W. Cattell, acting, i885-'86. 



Treasurers of State. — Morgan Reno, 
i846-'5o; Israel Kister, i8So-'52 ; Martin L. 
Morris, i852-'59; John W. Jones, i859-'63 ; 
William H. Holmes, i863-'67; Samuel E. 
Rankin, 1867-73; William Christy, 1873- 
'77 ; George W. Bemis, 1877-81; Edwin 
H. Conger, i88i-"85 ; Voltaire Twombiy, 
1885. 

Attorney-Generals. — David C. Cloud, 
i853-'56; Samuel A. Rice, i856-'6o; Charles 
C. Nourse, i86o-'64; Isaac L. Allen, 1865- 
'66; Frederick E. Bissell, i866-'67; Henry 
O'Connor, i867-'72; Marcena E. Cutts, 
1872-76; John F. Mcjunkin, i877-'8i ; 
Smith McPherson, i88i-'85 ; A. J. Baker, 
1885. 

Adjutant-Generals. — Daniel S. Lee, 1851- 
■55; George W. McCleary, i855-'57; Eli- 
jah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, i857-'6i ; Na- 
thaniel Baker, i86i-'77; John H. Looby, 
1877-78; W. L, Alexander, i878-'84. 

Registers of tlie State Land-Office. — Anson 
Hart, i855-'57 ; Theodore S. Parvin, 1857- 
'59; Amos B. Miller, i859-'62 ; Edwin 
Mitchell, i862-'63; Josiah A. Harvey, 
i863-'67; Cyrus C. Carpenter, i867-'7i ; 
Aaron Brown, i87i-'75 ; David Secor, 
i875-'79; J. K. Powers, i879-'82.* 

Superintendents of Public Instruction. — 
James Harlan, i847-'48; Thos. H. Benton, 
Jr., i848-'54; James D. Eads, i854-'57, 
Joseph C. Stone, 1857; Maturin L. Fisher, 
i857-'58; Oran Faville, iS64-'67 ; D. Frank- 
lin Wells, 1867-68 ; A. S. Kissell, i868-'72; 
Alonzo Abernethy, i872-"76; Carl W. 
Van Coelen, i876-'82; John W. Akers, 
i882-'84. 

This office was created in 1847 and abol- 
ished in 1858, and the duties then devolved 
upon the secretary of the Board of Educa- 
tion; it was re-created March 23, 1864. 

State Printers. — Garrett D. Palmer and 
George Paul, i849-'5i ; William H. Merritt, 
i85i-'53; William A. Hornish, 1853 ; Den- 

♦Offlce abolished January 1, 1883, and duties devolved 
on tlie Secretary of State 



i66 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



nis A. Mahoney and Joseph B. Dorr, 1853- 
'55 ; Peter Moriarty, i855-'57 ; John Tees- 
dale, i8S7-'6i ; Francis W. Palmer, 1861- 
'69; Frank M. Mills, iSeg-'/i ; G. W. Ed- 
wards, i87i-'73 ■. Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873- 
'79; Frank M. Mills, !879-'8i : Geo. E. 
Roberts, 1881. 

State Binders. — William M. Coles, 1855- 
'58; Frank M. Mills, i858-'67 ; James S. 
Carter, i867-'7i ", J. J- Smart, i87i-'75; H. 
A. Perkins, i875-'79; M^itt. Parrott, 1879- 
'85; L. S. Merchant, 18S5. 

Secretaries of Board of Education. — T. 
H. Benton, Jr., i859-'63 ; Oran Faville, 
i863-'64. 

This office was abolished March 23, 1864. 

Presidents of the Senate. — Thomas Baker. 
i846-'47; Thomas Hughes, 1847-48; John J. 
Selman, 1848-49; Enos Lowe, i849-'5i ; 
Wm. E. Leffingwell, i85i-'53; Maturn L. 
Fisher, i853-'55 ; Wm. W. Hamilton, 1855- 

•57. 

Under the new Constitution the Lieuten- 
ant-Governor is President of the Senate. 

Speakers of the House. — Jesse B. Brown, 
i846-'48; Smiley H. Bonham, i848-'5o; 
George Temple, i850-'52 ; James Grant, 
i852-'54; Reuben Noble, 1854-56 : Samuel 
McFarland, 1856-57; Stephen B. Sheledy, 
i857-'59; John Edwards, i859-"6i ; Rush 
Clark, i86i-'63; Jacob Butler, 1863-65; Ed. 
Wright, i865-'67; John Russell, i867-'69; 
Aylett R. Cotton, i869-'7i ; James Wilson, 
1871-73; John H. Geer, i873-'77; John Y. 
Stone, 1877-79; Lore Alford, i88o-'8i ; G. 
R. Struble, 1882-83: Wm. P. Wolf, 1884; 
Albert Head. 1886. 

Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. — 
Charles Mason, 1847; Joseph Williams, 
1847-48; S. Clinton Hastings, i848-'49 ; 
Joseph Williams, i849-'55 ; George G. 
Wright, i855-'6o; Ralph P. Lowe, i86o-"62; 
Caleb Baldwin, i862-'64; George G. 
Wright, i864-'66; Ralph P. Lowe, 1866- 
'68; John F. Dillon, 1868-70; Chester C. 



Cole, i870-'7i ; James G. Day, i87t-'72; 
Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74; W. E Miller, 
i874-'76; Chester C. Cole, 1876; Wm. H. 
Seevers, i876-'77; James G. Day, i877-'78; 
James H. Rothrock, 1878-83 and '84; 
Joseph M. Beck, i879-'8o and '85 ; Austin 
Adams, i88o-'8i and '86; Wm. H. Seevers, 
1882. 

Associate Justices. — Joseph Williams, held 
over from territorial government until a 
successor was appointed ; Thomas S. Wil- 
son, 1847; JohnF. Kinney, iS47-'54; George 
Greene, i847-'55; Jonathan C. Hall, 1854- 
'55; William G.Woodward, 1855 ; Norman 
W. Isbell, 1855-56; Lacon D. Stockton, 
i856-'6o; Caleb Baldwin, i86o-"64; Ralph 
P. Lowe, i860; George G. Wright, i860; 
John F. Dillon, i864-'7o; Chester C. Cole, 
i864-'77; Joseph M. Beck, 1868; W. E. 
Miller, 1870; James G. Day, 1870. 

United States Senators. — Augustus C. 
Dodge, 1 848-' 5 5 ; George W. Jones, 1848- 
'59; James Harlan, i855-'65 ; James W. 
Grimes, i859-'69; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 
1866; James Harlan, i867-'73 ; James B. 
Howell, 1870; George G. Wright, 1871- 
'yj; William B. Allison, i873-'79; Samuel 
J. Kirkwood, 1877-81; Wm. B. Allison, 
i879-'85; James W. McDill. 1881 ; James 
F. Wilson, 1883. 

Present State Officers (^1886). — Governor, 
William Larrabee ; Secretary of State, 
Frank D. Jackson ; Auditor of State, J. W. 
Cattell, acting ; Treasurer, Voltaire Twom- 
bly; Superintendent Public Instruction, 
John W. Akers ; Printer, George E. Rob- 
erts ; Binder, L. S. Merchant ; Adjutant- 
General, W. L. Alexander ■ Librarian, Mrs. 
S. B. Maxwell. 

Supreme Court. — William H. Seevers, 
Chief Justice, Oskaloosa; James G. Day, 
Sidney, James H. Rothrock, Tipton, Joseph 
M. Beck, Fort Madison, Austin Adams, 
Dubuque, Judges; A. J. Baker, .Mturney- 
General. 




Qouerijors o^ |ou/a. 



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i:^>^^*-<^^- 



ROBERT LUCAS. 



171 





OBERT LUCAS, the first 
Governor of Iowa Ter- 
ritory, was the fourth 
son and ninth child of 
William and Susan- 
nah Lucas, and was 
born April i, 1781, 
in Jefferson Valley, 
at Shepherdstown, Jefferson 
County, Virginia, a few miles 
from Harper's Ferry, where his 
ancestors settled before the Rev- 
olution. His father, who was 
descended from William Penn, 
was born January 18, 1743, and 
his mother, of Scotch extrac- 
tion, was born October S, 1745. 
They were married about the 
year 1760, and reared a family of six sons 
and six daughters. His father, who had 
served as a Captain in the Continental army 
during the Revolutionary war, and had 
distinguished himself at the battle of Bloody 
Run, emigrated with his family to Scioto 
County, Ohio, early in the present century. 
At the time of this removal Robert was 
a young man. He had obtained his educa- 
tion chieflv in Virginia, from an old Scotch 
schoolmaster named McMuUen, who taught 
him mathematics and surveying. The latter 
afforded him remunerative employment im- 
mediately upon his entrance into Ohio. 

He was married at Portsmouth, Ohio, 
April 3, 1 8 10, to Elizabeth Brown, who died 
October 18, 18 12, leaving an infant daugh- 



ter, who afterward became Mrs. Minerva 
E. B. Sumner. March 7, 18 16, he formed 
a second matrimonial connection ; this time 
with Friendly A. Sumner, who bore to him 
four sons and three daughters. 

The first public office held by Robert 
Lucas was that of County Surveyor of Sci- 
oto County, the commission from Governor 
Edward Tiffin, of Ohio, appointing him such 
being dated December 26, 1803. Decem- 
ber 16, 1805, he was commissioned by 
Governor Tiffin justice of the peace for 
three years. His first militar}' appointment 
was that of Lieutenant of militia, by virtue 
of which he was authorized to raise twenty 
men to assist in filling Ohio's quota of 500 
volunteers called for by the President in 
view of possible difficulties with the Spanish. 
He was subsequently promoted through 
all the military grades to Major Gen- 
eral of Ohio militia, which latter rank was 
conferred upon him in 18 18. 

He was a Brigadier-General on the 
breaking out of the war of 1S12, and had 
much to do with raising troops. He was 
appointed a Captain in the regular army, 
but before his commission reached him he 
was already in active service, scouting, 
spying, carrying a musket in the ranks and 
in other useful capacities. After Hull's 
surrender he was paroled and returned to 
Ohio. He was in the course of time made 
a Lieutenant-Colonel, and then a Colonel, 
from which position he resigned. 

He served in numerous civil offices in 



172 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



Ohio, and at the time of his second marriage, 
in 1816, he was and iiad been for some time 
a member of the Ohio Legislature, serving 
successively for nineteen years in one or the 
other branch, and in the course of his leg- 
islative career presiding over first one 
and then the other branch. In 1820 and 
again in 1828, he was chosen one of the 
Presidential electors of Ohio. In May, 
1832, at Baltimore, Maryland, he presided 
over the first Democratic National Con- 
vention — -that which nominated Andrew 
Jackson for his second term as President, 
and Martin Van Buren for Vice Presi- 
dent. In 1832 he was elected Governor 
of Ohio, and re-elected in 1 834. He declined 
a third nomination for the same office. 

Under the act of Congress to divide tne 
Territory of Wisconsin and to establish the 
territorial government of Iowa, approved 
June 12, 1838, the subject of this sketch was 
appointed Governor of tbe new Territory, 
and he immediately accepted the responsi- 
bility. A journey from the interior of Ohio 
to the banks of the Upper Mississippi was 
then a matter of weeks ; so that, although 
Governor Lucas set out from his home on 
the 25th of July, delaying on his route 
a few days at Cincinnati, to arrange for the 
selection of the books for a territorial 
library, it was not till nearly the middle of 
August that he reached Burlington, then 
the temporary seat of government. 

The first official act of Lucas as Gov- 
ernor of Iowa was to issue a proclamation 
dated August 13, 1838, dividing the Terri- 
tory into eight representative districts, ap- 
portioning the members of the Council and 
House of Representatives among the nine- 
teen counties then composing the Terri- 
tory, and appointing the second Monday 
in September ensuing for the election of 
members of the Legislative Assembly and 
a delegate to Congress. His first message 
to the Legislature, after its organization, 
was dated November 12, 1838, and related 



chiefly to a code of laws for the new com- 
monwealth. He opposed imprisonment for 
debt, favored the death penalty' for murder 
(executions to be in the presence of only 
the Sheriff and a suitable number of wit- 
nesses), and strenuously urged the organi- 
zation of a liberal system of common 
schools. The organization of the militia 
was also one of his pet measures. There 
was a broad difference between the views 
of a majority of this Legislative Assembly 
and the Governor, on many questions of 
public policy, as well as points of authority. 
This resulted in the sending to the Presi- 
dent of a memorial, dated January 12, 1839, 
signed by eight of the council and seven 
of the Representatives, praying the re- 
moval of Governor Lucas. In addition to 
this, a memorial for the Governor's re- 
moval was passed bv both Hous^, signed 
in due form by their presiding officers, and 
transmitted to the President. The charges 
made were met by a protest signed by 
eight Representatives, and as a result Gov- 
ernor Lucas was allowed to remain in office 
until the ne.xt change of administration. 

In 1839 and '40 occurred the well-known 
boundary dispute with Missouri, which 
was finally settled in favor of Iowa, by the 
Supreme Court of the United States. No- 
vember 5, 1839, Governor Lucas announced 
that the Territory had advanced in improve- 
ment, wealth and population (which latter 
was estimated at 50,000) without a parallel 
in history, and recommended the necessary 
legislation preparatory to the formation of 
a State government. This was overruled 
by the people, however. Among the latest 
of Governor Lucas's acts was a proclama- 
tion dated April 30, 1841, calling the Leg- 
islature to assemble, for the first time, at 
Iowa City, the new capitol. 

March 25, 1841, he was succeeded by 
John Chambers. He lived a private life 
near Iowa City until his death, February 
7, 1853, at the age of seventy-one years. 



JOHN CHAMBERS. 



■73 





OHN CHAMBERS, was 
the second Governor of 
Iowa Territory. He was 
born October 6, 1780, at 
Bromley Bridge, Somer- 
set County, New Jersey. 
His father, Rowland Cham- 
bers, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, of Irish parentage. 
According to a tradition in 
the family, their remote 
ancestors were Scotch, and 
belonged to the clan Cam- 
eron. Having refused to 
join in the rebellion of 1645, 
they migrated to Ireland, 
where, by an act of Parliament, on their 
own petition, they took the name of Cham- 
bers. Rowland Chambers espoused with 
enthusiasm the cause of American inde- 
pendence, and was commissioned a Colonel 
of New Jersey militia. At the close of the 
war, reduced in circumstances, he immi- 
grated to Kentucky and settled in Wash- 
ington, then the seat of Mason County. 
John, the youngest of seven children, was 
then fourteen years old. A few days after 
the fami'y settled m their new home he 
found employment in a dry-goods store, 
and the following spring was sent to 
Transylvania Seminary, at Lexington. He 
returned home in less than a year. In 1797 

16 



he became deputy under Francis Taylor, 
Clerk of the District Court. His duties 
being light, he applied himself to the study 
of law. In the spring of 1800 he assumed 
all the duties of the office in which he had 
been employed, and in November following 
he was licensed to practice law. 

In 1803 Mr. Chambers, who had now 
entered upon a career of uninterrupted 
professional prosperity, was married to Miss 
Margaret Taj-lor, of Hagerstown, Mary- 
land. She lived but about three years, and 
in 1807 he married Miss Hannah Taylor, a 
sister of his first wife. Not long after he 
engaged in the manufacture of bale rope 
and bagging for the Southern market. In 
this he incurred heavy losses. 

In the campaign of 18 12 he served as 
aid-de-camp to General Harrison, with the 
rank of Major. In 181 5 Mr. Chambers was 
sent to the Legislature, and in 1828 he went 
to Congress to fill the unexpired term of 
General Thomas Metcalfe. In 1830 and 
1831 he was again in the State Legislature. 
In 1832 he lost his wife. She was a lady of 
cultivated mind and elegant manners, and 
had made his home a happy and attractive 
one. The same year he was offered a seat 
on the bench of the Supreme Court of 
Kentucky, but this he declined. The same 
office was tendered him in 1835, but before 
the time for taking his seat, he was obliged 



'74 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



to resign, out of consideration for his health. 
From 1835 to 1839 he was in Congress, 
making for himself a high reputation. 

Between 181 5 and 1828 Mr. Chambers 
was, for several years, the commonwealth's 
attorney for the judicial district in which 
he lived. He was during that period at the 
zenith of his reputation as a lawyer and ad- 
vocate. He met the giants of the Ken- 
tucky bar in important civil and criminal 
trials. His well-known high sense of honor, 
and his contempt for professional chicanery, 
commanded the respect of his legal com- 
peers. His appearance and manner were 
dignified, his tone calm and impressive, 
and his language singularly direct and 
vigorous. 

He closed his congressional career in 
1839 with the purpose of resuming the 
practice of law, but his old friend General 
Harrison was nominated for the Presi- 
dency and induced him to aid in the 
personal canvass General Harrison made 
through the country. He was urged by 
President Harrison to accept some office 
requiring his residence in Washington, but 
this he declined, though he afterward ac- 
cepted the appointment of Governor of 
Iowa. He entered upon the duties of this 
office May 13, 1841. His success in his 
administration of the affairs of the Territory 
was well attested by the approbation of the 
people, and by the hearty commendation 
of those in authority at Washington, espe- 
cially for his management of Indian affairs. 
During his term of office he found it neces- 
sary on several occasions to suppress the 
feuds of the red men, which he did with 
such firmness and decision that quiet was 
promptly restored where war seemed im- 
minent. Governor Chambers was repeat- 
edly called on to treat with the Indian tribes 



for the purchase of their lands. In October, 
1841, he was commissioned jointly with 
Hon. T. H. Crawford, Commissioner of In- 
dian Affairs, and Governor Doty, of Wis- 
consin, to hold a treat}' with the Sacs and 
Foxes, which, however, did not result in a 
purchase. In September, 1842, being ap- 
pointed sole Commissioner for the same 
purpose, he succeeded fully in carrying out 
the wishes of the Government. In 1843 he 
held a treaty with the Winnebagoes, but in 
this instance no result was reached. 

In 1S44, 'lis term of office having expired, 
he was re-appointed by President Tyler, 
but was removed in 1845 by President 
Polk. Shortly afterward, with greatly im- 
paired health, he returned to Kentucky, 
where, with skillful medical treatment and 
entire relief from official cares, he partially 
recovered. During the few remaining years 
of his life Governor Chambers's recollec- 
tions of Iowa were of the most agreeable 
character. He spoke gratefully of the re- 
ception extended to him by her people, and 
often referred with great kindness to his 
• neighbors in Des Moines County. 

•His infirm health forbade his engaging in 
any regular employment after his return to 
Kentucky, but in 1849, at the solicitation of 
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, he ne- 
gotiated jointly with Governor Ramsey, of 
Minnesota, a successful treaty with the 
Sioux Indians for the purchase of lands. 
The latter years of Governor Chambers's 
life were spent mostly with his children, 
whose affection and respect were the chief 
conditions of his happiness. During a visit 
to his daughter in Paris, Kentucky, he was 
taken sick at the house of his son-in-law, C. 
S. Brent, and after a few weeks breathed 
his last, September 21, 1852, in his seventy- 
second year. 



yAMES CLARICE. 



•75 






'^^^-^*f^-^-3>>^<*-i>*:^r-^>t^^^ ^ %^ 





[HE third and last Ter- 
ritorial Governor 
was James Clarke. 
Sometime in the 
autumn of the year 
1837, when the trees 
were in the " sear 
and yellow leaf," a printer 
boy of slender form and 
gentle appearance might 
have been seen crossing 
the laurel hills of his own 
State. Behind him rolled 
the waters of the " Blue 
Juniata," on the banks of 
which he had spent, in 
merry glee, his youthful 
days. He had heard and read of strange 
countries that lay far off toward the setting 
sun, through which broad rivers run, and 
spreading landscapes unfolded to human 
e3'es the most rare and magnificent beauty. 
With his youthful gaze fixed upon that star 
which never sets, he set forth into the wilds 
of Wisconsin, a stranger in a strange land, 
an adventurer seeking his own fortune, de- 
pending upon his own exertions, with no 
recommendation save an honest face and 
genteel deportment. This young man was 
James Clarke, who afterward became the 
able, talented and popular Governor of 
Iowa. 

He remained in Wisconsin, working at 
his trade as a printer, until after the organi- 



zation of the Territory of Iowa, when he 
removed to Burlington, where the first 
Legislature of Iowa assembled. After the 
death of Mr. Conway he was appointed by 
President Van Buren, Secretary of the Ter- 
ritory, which office he filled with great 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the 
people. During the time he held this office 
he contributed by his kind, gentle and 
amiable manner to soften the feelings of 
hatred and distrust which at one time ex- 
isted between leading men of the Territory. 
Whoever had business at his office found 
him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, al- 
ways ready and willing to do whatever was 
desired of him, regretting, at the same time, 
that he could do no more. During the 
time he was Secretary he performed a vast 
amount of labor, but notwithstanding the 
large amount of business he transacted, he 
still found time to write for the press, and 
contributed many valuable articles touch- 
ing the future greatness of Iowa. 

After he retired from the office of Secre- 
tary he again returned to the printing trade, 
and became the leading editor of the Bur- 
lington Gazette. To the columns of thi« 
paper he devoted his whole energies, and 
by so doing made it the leading Democratic 
paper of the Territory. In the early sum- 
mer of 1845 President Polk removed Mr. 
Chambers, and appointed Mr. Clarke to suc- 
ceed him as Governor of Iowa. Previous 
to his appointment he had been elected by 



176 



GOVERNORS, OF IOWA. 



the people of his county a deleo^ate to the 
first convention which assembled to form a 
Constitution for the State of Iowa. In this 
convention lie distinguished himself both 
for his talent and personal demeanor, and 
contributed to the pages of that Constitu- 
tion some of the great elementary principles 
which lie at the foundation of human rights. 
And although that Constitution was de- 
feated, he still had the satisfaction of seeing 
their spirit and meaning transferred to 
another, and still continued as the funda- 
mental law of our State. 

The first Legislature after he received 
his appointment assembled at Iowa City, 
<in the first Monday of December, 1845. 
His message to the Legislature after its or- 
ganization is a model of style and clearness. 
He set forth the importance of an early ex- 
tinguishment of the Indian title to all the 
lands within the limits of Iowa, and urged 
the Legislature to memorialize Congress to 
purchase a tract of land on the Upper Mis- 
sissippi for a future home for the Winne- 
bagoes, and thus induce them to part with 
their title to a large tract of country known 
as the " neutral ground," a recommendation 
which the General Government soon after 
acted upon and carried out. 

January 16, 1846, the Legislature passed 
once more an act for the purpose of elect- 
ing delegates to frame a Constitution for 
the State of Iowa. This time the friends of 
a State government took it for granted 
that the people of the Territory wanted a 
Constitution, so the Legislature provided 
that at the April election following the 
passage of this act, the people of the Ter- 
ritoi)' should elect delegates to a conven- 
tion. .\ccordingly, at the April election 
delegates were elected, and the convention, 
agreeable to s^id act, consisting of thirty- 
two members. instead of seventy as in the 
previous convention, met at Iowa City, on 
the first Monday of Mav, 1846, and after a 



session of eighteen days produced a Con- 
stitution which was immediately submitted, 
adopted, and made the organic law of the 
State of Iowa. After the result was known 
the Governor issued his proclamation for a 
general election to be held in November 
following, atwhich Ansel Briggs, of Jack- 
son County, was elected Governor of the 
State. 

This proclamation was the last public act 
of James Clarke, for as soon as the new 
Governor was qualified, he turned over to 
him all the archives of his office, and re- 
turned once more to the printing office. 
Again he scattered through Iowa his beau- 
tiful editorials through the columns of the 
Burlington Gazette, until the name and 
fame of Iowa became known throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. He 
appeared at the capitol at the first session 
of the State Legislature under the new Con- 
stitution, delivered to that body an affecting 
and interesting farewell address, then stood 
back quietly during the whole of the ses- 
sion, and gazed with indignation upon his 
countenance at the dreadful strife, storms 
and bitterness which was manifested during 
the entire session. 

This was the last time that Mr. Clarke 
ever appeared at the Legislature. He died 
soon after, at Burlington, of the cholera. 
Thus closed the earthly career of a just and 
noble man, cut off in the prime of life and 
in the midst of an useful career. He was 
married to a sister of General Dodge, and 
this fact being known at the time of his ap- 
pointment as Governor, drew upon the 
Dodges the title of the " rojal family." But 
whatever might be said in this respect, the 
appointment could not have been bestowed 
upon a better man, or one more competent 
to fill it. His history is without a stain or 
reproach, and throughout his whole life no 
man ever imputed aught against his char- 
acter as a man and a citizen. 



ANSEL BR/GCS. 



'19 











|HE first Governor of 
Iowa under its State 
organization, was 
Ansel Briggs, who, 
like his two imme- 
diate successors, was 
a son of that won- 
derful nursery of progress, 
New England. He was 
the son of Benjamin Ingley 
Briggs and Electa his wife, 
and was born in Vermont, 
Februar}' 3, 1806. His 
boyhood was spent in his 
native State, where, in the 
common schools, he re- 
ceived a fair education, 
improved by a term spent at the academy 
of Norwich. In his youth, about the j'ear 
1830, with his parents, he removed to 
Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio, where 
he engaged in the work of establishing 
stage lines, and where, as a Whig, he com- 
peted with John Ferguson, a Jackson 
Democrat, for the office of county audi- 
tor and was defeated. In his twenty- 
fourth year he married a wife, born the 
same day and year as himself, of whom he 
was soon bereft. Before leaving Ohio he 
married his second wife, Nancy M., daugh- 
ter of Major Dunlap, an officer of the war 
of 1812. 




In 1836, removing from Ohio, he joined 
that hard}^ band, so honored here to-da}-, 
the pioneers of Iowa, and settled with his 
famil}' at Andrew, in Jackson County. 
Here he resumed his former business of 
opening stage lines, sometimes driving the 
stage himself, and entering into contracts 
with the postoffice department for carrying 
the United States mails weekly between 
Dubuque and Davenport, Dubuque and 
Iowa City, and other routes. 

On coming to Iowa he affiliated with the 
Democrats, and on their ticket, in 1842, 
was elected a member of the Territorial 
House of Representatives from Jackson 
County, and subsequent!}- sheriff of the 
same county. On the formation of the 
State government, he at once became a 
prominent candidate for Governor. His 
competitors for the Democratic nomination 
were Judge Jesse Williams and William 
Thompson. The question above all others 
dividing the parties in Iowa in that day was 
that of banks, favored by the Whigs, and op- 
posed by the Democrats. A short time be- 
fore the nominating convention met, Briggs, 
at a banquet, struck a responsive chord in 
the popular heart by offering the toast, " No 
banks but earth, and they well tilled," a 
sententious appeal to the pride of the pro- 
ducer and the prejudice of the partisan, 
which was at once caught up as a party 



i8o 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



cry, and did more to secure its author the 
nomination for Governor than all else. 

The convention was held at Iowa City 
on Thursday, September 24, 1846, and as- 
sembled to nominate State officers and two 
Congressmen. It was called to order by 
F. D. Mills, of Des Moines County. Will- 
iam Thompson, of Henry County, presided, 
and J. T. Fales, of Dubuque, was Secretary. 
The vote for Governor in the convention 
stood : Briggs, sixty-two ; Jesse Williams, 
thirty-two ; and William Thompson, thirty- 
one. The two latter withdrew, and Bnggs 
was then chosen by acclamation. Elisha 
Cutler, Jr., of Van Buren County, was 
nominated for Secretary of State; Joseph 
T. Fales, of Linn, for Auditor, and Morgan 
Reno, of Johnson, for Treasurer. S. C. 
Hastings and Shepherd Leffler were nomi- 
nated for Congress. The election was held 
October 28, 1846, the entire Democratic 
ticket being successful. Briggs received 
7,626 votes, and his competitor, Thomas 
McKnight, the Whig candidate, 7,379, giv- 
ing Briggs a majority of 247. 

The administratioi^ of Governor Briggs 
was generally placid. Although avoiding 
excitement and desirous of being in har- 
monious accord with his party, when oc- 
casion required he exhibited an independent 
firmness not easily shaken. One perplex- 
ing controversy bequeathed him by his 
predecessors was the Missouri boundary 
question, which had produced much dis- 
quiet, and even a resort to arms on the part 
of both Iowa and Missouri. 

After the expiration of his four-years 
term, Governor Briggs continued his resi- 
dence in Jackson County, where he engaged 
in commercial business, having sold out his 
mail contracts when he became Governor. 

By liis second marriage he had eight 
children, all of whom died in infancy save 
two, and of these latter Ansel, Jr., died 
May 15, 1867, aged twentv-five years. 
John S. Briggs, the only survivor of the 



family, is the editor of the Idalto Herald, 
published at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory. 
Mrs. Briggs died December 30, 1847, dur- 
ing her husband's term as Governor. She 
was an ardent Christian woman, adhering 
to the Presbyterian faith, and very domestic 
in her tastes. She was well educated and 
endowed by nature with such womanlj' 
tact and grace as to enable her to adorn the 
high estate her husband had attained. She 
dispensed (albeit in a log house, a form of 
architecture in vogue in Iowa in that day, 
as the mansion of the rich or the cabin of 
the poor) a bounteous hospitality to the 
stranger and a generous charity to the poor, 
in which gracious ministrations she was al- 
ways seconded by her benevolent husband. 

In 1870 Governor Briggs removed from 
Andrew to Council Bluffs. He had visited 
the western part of the State before rail- 
roads had penetrated there, and made the 
trip by carriage. On that occasion he en- 
rolled himself as one of the founders of the 
town of Florence, on the Nebraska side of 
the Missouri River, six miles above Coun- 
cil Bluffs, and which, for a time, disputed 
with Omaha the honor of being the chief 
town of Nebraska. 

He made a trip to Colorado during the 
mining excitement in i860. After return- 
ing and spending some time at home, he 
went to Montana in 1863, v/ith his son John, 
and a large party, remaining until 1865, 
when he came back. 

His last illness, ulceration of the stomach, 
was only five weeks in duration. He was 
able to be out three days before his death, 
which occurred at the residence of his son, 
John S. Briggs, in Omaha, May 5, 1881, at 
half past three in the morning. Governor 
Gear issued a proclamation the next day, 
reciting his services to the State, ordering 
half-hour guns to be fired and the national 
flag on the State capitol to be half-masted, 
during the day of the funeral. He was 
buried on Sunday succeeding his death. 



STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD. 



183 







^^ 



6*r 1^ «(^ 'T- ij» 'T- eo -T^felBcrj&vajoag^f^"^ -T- ^ -T- ^~=T^~^' 







sHIS gentleman, the 
second Governor of 
the State, was born 
at New London, 
Connecticut, Octo. 
ber I, 18 1 2, and 
lived in that State 
until the spring of 1828, 
when his father's family 
came West and settled on 
a farm a few miles from 
St. Louis, Missouri. Here 
he remained until 1830, 
when he entered as clerk 
in a commission house in 
Galena, Illinois, and dur- 
ing the Black Hawk war he 
was an officer in an artillery company or- 
ganized for the protection of that place. 

At the close of the war he entered as a 
student of the Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, Illinois, remaining about two years, 
leaving to commence the study of law 
which he finished under Charles S. Hemp- 
stead, Esq., then a prominent lawyer at 
Galena. In 1836 he was admitted to prac- 
tice his profession in the courts of the Ter- 
ritory of Wisconsin, then embracing Iowa, 
and in the same year located in Dubuque, 
being the first lawyer who practiced in 
that place. At the organization of the 



Territorial Legislature in 1838 he was 
elected to represent the northern portion 
of the Territory in the Legislative Council, 
of which he was chairman of the committee 
on judiciary, one of the important com- 
mittees of the Council. At the second 
session of that body he was elected presi- 
dent thereof, was again elected a member 
of the Council in 1845, which was held in 
Iowa City, and was again president of the 
same. In 1844 he was elected one of the 
delegates to the first constitutional conven- 
tion of the State of Iowa, and was chair- 
man of the committee on incorporations. 
In 1848, in connection with Hon. Charles 
Mason and W. G. Woodward, he was ap- 
pointed commissioner by the Legislature to 
revise the laws of the State of Iowa, and 
which revision, with a few amendments, 
was adopted as the code of Iowa in 1851. 
In 1850 he was elected Governor of the 
State of Iowa, receiving 13,486 votes, 
against 11,403 for James L. Thompson, 575 
for William P. Clarke, and 1 1 scattering. 

The vote was canvassed on the 4th of 
December, and a committee was app(jintcd 
to inform the Governor elect that the two 
Houses of the Legislature were ready to re- 
ceive him in joint convention, in order that 
he might receive the oath prescribed by 
the Constitution. After receiving formal 



l84 



GOVERNORS OF tOWA. 



notification, Governor Hempstead, accom- 
panied by Governor Briggs, the judges of 
the Supreme Court and the officers of 
State, entered tlie hall of the House, and 
having been duly announced, the Governor 
elect delivered his inaugural message, after 
which the oath was administered by the 
chief justice of the Supreme Court. 

This session of the Legislature passed a 
number of important acts which were 
approved by Governor Hempstead, and 
formed fifty-two new counties, most of 
them having the same names and bound- 
aries to-day. These new counties were : 
Adair, Union, Adams, Cass, Montgomery, 
Mills, Pottawattomie, Bremer, Butler, 
Grundy, Hardin, Franklin, Wright, Risley, 
Yell, Greene, Guthrie, Carroll, Fox, Sac, 
Crawford, Shelby, Harrison, Monona, Ida, 
Waukau, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Buena 
Vista, Fayette, Cherokee, Plymouth, Alla- 
makee, Chickasaw, Floyd, Cerro Gordo, 
Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Clay, O'- 
Brien, Sioux, Howard, Mitchell, Worth, 
Winnebago, Winneshiek, Bancroft, Em- 
mett, Dickinson, Osceola and Buncombe. 
The last-named county was so called under 
peculiar circumstances. The Legislature 
was composed of a large majority favoring 
stringent corporation laws, and the liability 
of individual stockholders for corporate 
debts. This sentiment, on account of the 
agitation of railroad enterprises then begin- 
ning, brought a large number of prominent 
men to the capital. To have an effect upon 
the Legislature, they organized a " lobby 
legislature," in which these questions were 
ably discussed. They elected as Governor 
Verplank Van Antwerp, who delivered to 
tkis self-constituted body a lengthy mes- 
sage, in which he sharply criticised the 
regular general assembly. Some of the 
members of the latter were in the habit of 
making long and useless speeches, much to 
the hindrance of business. To these he 
especially referred, charging them with 



speaking " for buncombe," and recom- 
mended that as their lasting memorial, a 
county should be called by that name. 
This suggestion was readily seized upon 
by the Legislature, and the county of " Bun- 
combe" was created with few dissenting 
voices. By act of the General Assembly 
approved September ii, 1862, the name 
was changed to " Lyon," in honor of Gen- 
eral Nathaniel Lyon, who was killed in the 
civil war. 

Governor Hempstead's message to the 
fourth General Assembly, December, 1852, 
stated, among other things, that the popu- 
lation of the State was by the federal cen- 
sus 192,214, and that the State census 
showed an increase for one year of 37,786. 
He also stated that the resources of the 
State for the coming two years would be 
sufficient to cancel all that part of the funded 
debt which was payable at its option. 

By 1854 the State had fully recovered 
from the depression produced by the bad 
season of 1851, and in 1854 and 1855 the 
immigration from the East was unprece- 
dented. For miles and miles, day after day, 
the prairies of Illinois were lined with cattle 
and wagons, pushing on toward Iowa. At 
Peoria, one gentleman said that during a 
single month 1,743 wagons passed through 
that place, all for Iowa. The Burlington 
Telegraph said : " Twenty thousand immi- 
grants have passed through the city within 
the last thirty days, and they are still cross- 
ing the Mississippi at the rate of 600 a day." 

Governor Hempstead's term expired in 
the latter part of 1854, and he returned to 
Dubuque, where the following 3-ear he was 
elected county judge. This position he 
held twelve years, and in 1867 he retired on 
account of impaired health. He lived, how- 
ever, till February 16, 1883, when at his 
home in Dubuque he closed his record on 
earth. He was a useful and active man, 
and deserves a prominent place in the 
esteem of lowans. 




1 



^ 



a^-y 



yAMES W. GRIMES. 



1^7 




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i.»i..x»»viiEtdiafiffl^psaaf^'»»''™^E^>^<>^**''^*w*'<^*g^*»^<'«"*gg'p'i^wi»Aw.a.\tiaCTt«.^ 



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4;)<&«^t^'s^<^'^«5i'>i'^! 




[HE third to fill the of- 
fice of Governor of 
Iowa, and whose 
name deserves a 
foremost rank 
among the men 
whose personal his- 
:ory is interwoven insepar- 
ibly with that of the State, 
ivas James Wilson Grimes. 
He was born in the town 
)f Deering, Hillsborough 
^ount)-, New Hampshire, 
October 20, 18 16. His 
parents — John Grimes, 
born August 1 1, 1772, and 
Elizabeth Wilson, born 
March 19, 1773 — were natives of the same 
town. Of a family of eight children born 
to them, James was the youngest. In 
earl)- childhood he evinced a taste for 
learning, attending the district school and 
also studying Latin and Greek under the 
instruction of the village pastor. He 
completed his preparation for college 
at Hampton Academy, and entered Dart- 
mouth College in August, 1832, in the 
si-Kteenth year of his age. Upf)n leaving 
college in February, 1835, he commenced 
reading law with James Walker, Esq., in 
Petersburgh, New Hampshire. 

Being young and adventurous, and wish- 
ing to carve a fortune for himself, he left 

17 



his native home in 1836 for the far West, 
landing in Burlington, then a new town in 
what was known as the " Black Hawk 
Purchase." Here he opened an office and 
soon established a reputation as a rising 
lawyer. In April, 1837, he was appointed 
city solicitor ; and entering upon the duties 
of that office he assisted in drawing up the 
first police laws of that town. In 1838 he 
was appointed justice of the peace, and be- 
came a law partner of William W. Chap- 
man, United States District Attorney for 
Wisconsin Territory. In the early part of 
the year 1841 he formed a partnership with 
Henrj' W. Starr, Esq., which continued 
twelve 3-ears. This firm stood at the head 
of the legal profession in Iowa. Mr. Grimes 
was widely known as a counselor of supe- 
rior knowledge of the law, and with a clear 
sense of truth and justice. He was chosen 
one of the representatives of Dcs Moines 
County in the first Legislative Assembl}- 
of the Territory of Iowa, which convened 
at Burlington, November 12, 1838; in the 
sixth, at Iowa City, Decembcr4, 1843: and 
ill the foiiith General Assembh- of the 
State, at Iowa City, December 6, 1852. 
He early took front rank among the pub- 
lic men of Iowa. He was chairman of the 
judiciary committee in the House of Rep- 
resentatives of the first Legislative As- 
sembly of the Territory, and all laws for the 
new Territory passed through his hands. 



iS8 



aovERNons of iowa. 



He was married at Burlington, Novem- 
ber 9, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Sarah Neally. 

In February, 1854, Mr. Grimes was nom- 
inated by a convention of the Whig party 
for Governor of the State. It was the 
largest convention of that party ever held 
in Iowa, and the last. He was elected, and 
assumed the duties of the office in Decem- 
ber, 1854. Soon after his election it was 
proposed that he should be sent to the 
United States Senate, but he made it under- 
stood that he should fill the term of office 
for which he had been chosen, and he 
served his full term to the entire satisfac- 
tion and acceptance of all parties. He was 
a faithful leader in the political regenera- 
tion of the State. He introduced liberal 
measures to develop the resources of 
the State, and to promote the interests 
of all educational and humane establish- 
ments. Up to the time of his election 
as Governor, Democrac}' reigned supreme 
in the Territory. The representatives in 
Congress were allies of the slave power. 
He, after being elected, gave his whole 
soul to the work, and it may truly be said 
that Governor Grimes made Iowa Repub- 
lican and allied it with the loyal States. 

January 14, 1858, he laid down his office, 
only to be placed in another and greater 
one; for on the 25th he was nominated 
by the Republican caucus for United 
States Senator. He took his seat in the 
Senate March 4, 1859, 'i"d ^^'^s placed upon 
the committee on naval affairs January 24, 
1861, on which he remained during the 
remainder of his senatorial career, serving 
as chairman from December, iS6^. 

Mr. Grimes voted for the Pacific Rail- 
road bill on June 20, 1862, and for estab- 
lishing the gauge of the road from the Mis- 
souri River to the Pacific Ocean, at four 
feet eight and a half inches, February 18, 
1863. 

January 16, 1864, Mr. Grimes was again 
chosen United States Senator from Iowa 



for six years from March 4, 1865, receiving 
the votes of all but six of the members of 
the General Assembly in joint convention : 
128 out of 134. His council was often 
sought in matters of great moment, and in 
cases of peculiar difficulty. Always ready 
to promote the welfare of the State, he 
gave, unsolicited, land worth $6,000 to the 
Congregational college at Grinnell. It 
constitutes the " Grimes foundation," and 
" is to be applied to the establishment and 
maintenance in Iowa College, forever, of 
four scholarships, to be awarded by the 
trustees, on the recommendation of the fac- 
ult}', to the best scholars, and the most 
promising, in any department, who may 
need and seek such aid, and without any 
regard to the religious tenets or opinions 
entertained by any person seeking either 
of said scholarships." These terms were 
imposed by Mr. Grimes and assumed July 
20, 1865, by the trustees. He received 
the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1865 
from Dartmouth College, and also from 
Iowa College. He also aided in founding 
a public library in Burlington, donating 
$5,000, which was expended in the purchase 
of costly books, and subsequently sent from 
Europe 256 volumes in the German lan- 
guage, and also contributed 600 volumes of 
public documents. 

In January, 1869, he made a donation of 
$5,000 to Dartmouth College, and $1,000 
to the " Social Friend," a literary society of 
which he was a member when in college. 

His health failing, Mr. Grimes sailed for 
Europe April 14, 1869, remaining abroad 
two years, reaching home September 22, 
1871, apparently in improved health and 
spirits. In November he celebrated his 
silver wedding, and spent the closing 
months of his life with his family. He voted 
at the city election February 5, 1872, was 
suddenly attacked with severe pains in the 
region of the heart, and died after a few 
short hours of intense suffering. 




V- 



^' 




rc€^t^^ ' 



RALPH P. LOWE. 



191 




~^ ^ %% t KB C Ii I i I II I ; i Sl|» i i» li »rii 




RRLPH P't-QffiE^ 




sHE fourth Governor 
of the State, and 
the seventh of Iowa 
without reference to 
the form of govern- 
ment, was Ralph P. 
Lowe. He was born 
in Ohio in 1808, and lived 
just three-fourths of a cent- 
ury. He came to the 
Territory of Iowa in 1839 
or 1840, when he was a 
little over thirty years old. 
He settled in Muscatine, 
where in a short time he 
became prominent in local 
affairs and of recognized 
ability in questions of public policy. While 
yet residing in that city, he represented 
the county of Muscatine in the constitu- 
tional convention of 1844 that framed the 
rejected Constitution. 

After this constitutional convention, Mr. 
Lowe took no further part in public mat- 
ters for a number of years. He removed 
So Lee County about 1849 or '50, where 
he became district judge as a successor to 
George H. Williams, who was afterward 
famous as President Grant's Attorney Gen- 
eral. He was district judge five years, 
from 1852 to 1857, being succeeded by 
Judge Claggett. In the summer of 1857 



he was nominated by the Republicans for 
Governor of Iowa, with Oran Faville for 
Lieutenant - Governor. The Democracy 
put in the field Benjamin M. Samuels for 
Governor and George Gillaspy for Lieu- 
tenant Governor. There was a third ticket 
in the field, supported by the American or 
" Know Nothing " party, and bearing the 
names of T. F. Henry and Easton Morris. 
The election was held in October, 1857, and 
gave Mr. Lowe 38,498 votes, against 36,088 
for Mr. Samuels, and 1,006 for Mr. Henry. 

Hitherto the term of office had been four 
years, but by an amendment to the Consti- 
tution this was now reduced to two. Gov- 
ernor Lowe was inaugurated January 14, 
1858, and at once sent his first message to 
the Legislature. Among the measures 
passed by this Legislature were bills to in- 
corporate the State Bank of Iowa ; to pro- 
vide for an agricultural college ; to author- 
ize the business of banking ; disposing of 
the land grant made by Congress to the 
Des Moines Valley Railroad ; to provide 
for the erection of an institution for the 
education of the blind ; and to provide for 
taking a State census. 

No events of importance occurred dur- 
ing the administration of Governor Lowe, 
but it was not a period of uninterrupted 
prosperity. The Governor said in his 
biennial message of January 10, i860, re- 



192 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



viewing the preceding two years: " The 
period that has elaps^ed since the last 
biennial session has been one of great dis- 
turbing causes, and of anxious solicitude to 
all classes of our fellow citizens. The first 
year of this period was visited with heavy 
and continuous rains, which reduced the 
measure of our field crops below one-half 
of the usual product, whilst the financial 
revulsion which commenced upon the At- 
lantic coast in the autumn of 1857 did not 
reach its climax for evil in our borders until 
the year just past." 

He referred at length to the claim of the 
State against the Federal Government, 
and said that he had appealed in vain to 
the Secretary of the Interior for the pa}'- 
ment of the 5 per cent, upon the military 
land warrants that the State is justly en- 
titled to, which then approximated to a 
million of dollars. The payment of this 
fund, he said, " is not a mere favor which 
is asked of the General Government, but a 
subsisting right which could be enforced in 
a court of justice, was there a tribunal of 
this kind clothed with the requisite juris- 
diction." 

The subject of the Des Moines River 
grant received from the Governor special 
attention, and he gave a history of the 
operations of the State authorities in ref- 
erence to obtaining the residue of the lands 
to which the State was entitled, and other 
information as to the progress of the work. 
He also remarked " that under the act 
authorizing the Governor to raise a com- 
pany of mounted men for defense and pro- 
tection of our frontier, approved February 
9, 1858, a company of thirt}' such men, 
known as the Frontier Guards, armed and 
equipped as required, were organized and 
mustered into service under the command 
of Captain Henry B. Martin, of Webster 
City, about the first of March then follow- 
ing, and were divided into two companies, 
one stationed on the Little Sioux River, 



the other at Spirit Lake. Their presence 
afforded security and gave quiet to the 
settlements in 'that region, and after a ser- 
vice of four months they were duly dis- 
banded. 

" Late in the fall of the year, however, 
great alarm and consternation was again 
felt in the region of Spirit Lake and Sioux 
River settlements, produced by the appear- 
ance of large numbers of Indians on the 
border, whose bearing was insolent and 
menacing, and who were charged with 
clandestinely running off the stock of the 
settlers. The most urgent appeals came 
from these settlers, invoking again the 
protection of the State. From the repre- 
sentations made of the imminence of their 
danger and the losses already sustained, 
the Governor summoned into the field once 
more the frontier guards. After a service 
of four or five months they were again 
discharged, and paid in the manner 
prescribed in the act under which they 
were called out." 

Governor Lowe was beaten for the 
renomination by Honorable S. J. Kirkwood, 
who was considered much the stronger 
man. To compensate him for his defeat 
for the second term, Governor Lowe was 
appointed one of the three judges under 
the new Constitution. He drew the short 
term, which expired in 1861, but was 
returned and served, all told, eight years. 
He then returned to the practice of 
law, gradually working into a claim busi- 
ness at Washington, to which city he re- 
moved about 1874. In that city he died, on 
Saturday, December 22, 1883. He had a 
large family. Carleton, one of his sons, 
was an officer in the Third Iowa Cavalry 
during the war. 

Governor Lowe was a man of detail, 
accurate and industrious. In private and 
public life he was pure, upright and honest. 
In religious faith he was inclined to be a 
Spiritualist. 




<*^>o**<.,«,^ 



SAMUEL y. KIRKWOOD. 



■95 



^^^0^^ 



"^•C^i^f-* 



^^ (§^>f^SAMUEL el. KiRKWOOD, 



jK-^'jt-j*^^^^^^ 



/■ 



1€ 



i^^S'^^Sr 



^^3» 








jAMUEL JORDAN 
KIRKWOOD, the 
fifth Governor of the 
State of Iowa, was born 
December 20, 181 3, in 
Harford County, Mary- 
land, on his father's 
farm. His father was twice 
married, first to a lady named 
Coulson, by whom he had 
two sons, and, after her 
death, to Mary Alexander, by 
whom he had three children, 
all sons, the youngest of whom 
is the subject of these notes. The 
father of Governor Kirkwood was 
a native of Maryland, his ancestors 
having settled there previous to the Revo- 
lution ; his mother was born in Scotland, 
and both parents were strict members of 
the Presbyterian church. 

When ten years old young Kirkwood was 
sent to Washington City to attend a school 
taught bv a relative named John McLeod. 
He remained at school four years, when he 
entered a drug store at Washington as 
clerk, in which occupation he continued till 
after attaining his majorit)-, with the excep- 
tion of about eighteen months spent in 
teaching in York County, Pennsylvania. 
In 1835 Samuel left Washington and set- 
tled in Richland County, Ohio, where he 
assisted his father and brother (who had re- 



moved from Maryland there) in clearing a 
farm. In 1841 he entered, as a student, the 
law office of Thomas W. Hartley, afterward 
Governor of Ohio, and in 1843 was admit- 
ted to the bar by the Supreme Court of 
Ohio. He then engaged in the practice 
of law with his former preceptor, Mr. 
Bartley, forming an association which con- 
tinued for eight years. 

From 1845 to 1849 he served as prose- 
cuting attorney of his county. In 1849 he 
was elected as a Democrat to represent his 
county and district in the constitutional 
convention. In 185 1 Mr. Bartley, his part- 
ner, having been elected to the supreme 
judiciary of the State, Kirkwood formed a 
partnership with Barnabas Barns, with 
whom he continued to practice until the 
spring of 1855, when he removed to the 
West. 

Up to 1854 Mr. Kirkwood had acted with 
the Democratic party. But the measures 
proposed and sustained that 3'ear by the 
Democracy in Congress, concentrated in 
what was known as the Kansas-Nebraska 
act, drove him with hosts of anti-slavery 
Democrats out of the party. He was be- 
sought by the opposition in the " Richland 
district " to become their candidate for 
Congress, but declined. In 1855 he came 
to Iowa and settled two miles northwest of 
Iowa City, entering into a partnership with 
his brother-in-law, Ezekiel Clark, in the 



iq6 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



milling business, and kept aloof from pub- 
lic affairs. He could not long conceal his 
record and abilities from his neighbors, 
however, and in 1856 he was elected to the 
State Senate from the district composed of 
the counties of Iowa and Johnson, and 
served through the last session of the 
Legislature held at Iowa City and the first 
one held at Des Moines. 

In 1859 Mr. Kirkwood was made the 
standard-bearer of the Republicans of Iowa, 
and though he had as able and popular a 
competitor as General A. C. Dodge, he was 
elected Governor of Iowa by a majority of 
over 3,000. He was inaugurated Januarj' 
II, 1S60. Before the expiration of his first 
term came the great civil war. As Gov- 
ernor, during the darkest days of the Rebell- 
ion, he performed an exceedingly impor- 
tant duty. He secured a prompt response 
by volunteers to all requisitions by the 
federal Government on the State for troops, 
so that during his Governorship no " draft " 
took place in Iowa, and no regiment, except 
the first, enlisted for less than three years. 
At the same time he maintained the State's 
financial credit. The Legislature, at its ex- 
tra session in 1861, authorized the sale of 
$800,000 in bonds, to assist in arming and 
equipping troops. So frugally was this 
work done, that but $300,000 of the bonds 
were sold, and the remaining $500,000 not 
having been required, the bonds represent- 
ing this amount were destroyed by order 
of the succeeding Legislature. 

In October, 1861, Governor Kirkwood 
was. with comparatively little opposition, 
re-elected — an honor accorded for the first 
time in the history of the State. His ma- 
jority was about 18,000. During his second 
term he was appointed by President Lin- 
coln to be Minister to Denmark; but he 
declined to enter upon his diplomatic duties 
until the expiration of his term as Governor. 
The position was kept open for him until 
that time, but, when it came, pressing pri- 



vate business compelled a declination ol 
the office altogether. 

In January, 1866, he was a prominent 
candidate before the Legislature for United 
States Senator. Senator Harlan had re- 
signed the senatorship upon his appoint- 
ment to the office of Secretar}- of the 
Interior by President Lincoln, just before 
his death, but had withdrawn from the 
cabinet soon alter the accession of Mr. 
Johnson to the Presidency. In this way 
it happened that the Legislature had two 
terms of United States Sena-tor to fill, a 
short term of two years, to fill Harlan's 
unexpired term, and a long term of six 
years, to immediatel}' succeed this; and 
Harlan had now become a candidate for 
his own successorship, to which Kirkwood 
also aspired. Ultimateh', Kirkwood was 
elected for the first and Harlan for the 
second term. During his brief senatorial 
service, Kirkwood did not hesitate to meas- 
ure swords with Senator Sumner, whose 
natural egotism had begotten in him an 
arrogant and dictatorial manner, borne with 
humbly until then by his colleagues, in 
deference to his long experience and emi- 
nent ability, but unpalatable to an inde- 
pendent Western Senator like Kirkwood. 

At the close of his senatorial term, March 
4, 1867, he resumed the practice of law, 
which a few years later he relinquished to 
accept the presidency of the Iowa City 
SavingsBank. In 1875 he was again elected 
Governor, and was inaugurated January 13, 
1876. He served but little over a year, as 
early in 1877 he was chosen United States 
Senator. He filled this position four years, 
resigning to become Secretary of the In- 
terior in President Garfield's cabinet. In 
this office he was succeeded, April 17, 1882, 
by Henry M. Teller, of Colorado. 

Governor Kirkwood returned to Iowa 
City, his home, where he still resides, being 
now advanced in years. He was married 
in 1843 to Miss Jane Clark, a native of Ohio. 




Ix 




a /^^^^9ci 



tV/LUAAf M. STONE. 



199 





jHE subject of this brief 
sk^ch was the ninth 
to hold the position 
of Governor of Iowa, 
and the sixth to till 
the office under the 
State organization. 
He held the office four 
years, from 1864 to 1868. 

William Milo Stone was 
born October 14, 1827, 
a son of Truman and La- 
vina (North) Stone. His 
great-grandfather on both 
sides of the family was in 
the seven years' struggle 
for independence. His 
grandlatlier, Aaron Stone, was in the second 
war with England. Truman Stone moved 
to Lewis County, New York, when the son 
was a year old, and six 3'ears later to Co- 
shocton County, Ohio. 

Like many other self-made men, William 
M. had few advantages. He never attended 
a school of any kind more than twelve 
months. In boyhood he was for two seasons 
a team-driver on the Ohio Canal. At seven- 
teen he was apprenticed to the chairmaker's 
trade, and he followed that business until 
twenty-three years of age, reading law 



meantime during his spare hours, wher- 
ever he happened to be. He commenced 
at Coshocton, with James Mathews, who 
afterward became his father-in-law ; con- 
tinued his readings with General Lucius V. 
Pierce, of Akron, and finished with Ezra B. 
Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted to 
the bar in August, 1851, by Peter Hitch- 
cock and Rufus P. Ranney, supreme judges, 
holding a term of court at Ravenna. 

After practicing three years at Coshocton 
with his old preceptor, James Mathews, he, 
in November, 1854, settled in Knoxville, 
which has remained his home since. The 
year after locating here Mr. Stone pur- 
chased the Knoyi\'\\\e Joicnial, and was one 
of the prime movers in forming the Repub- 
lican party in Iowa, being the first editor to 
suggest a State convention, which met 
February 22, 1856, and completed the or- 
ganization. In the autumn of the same 
year he was a Presidential elector on the 
Republican ticket. 

In April, 1857, Mr. Stone was chosen 
Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District. 
He was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial 
District when the new Constitution went 
into operation in 1858, and was serving on 
the bench when the American flag was 
stricken down at Fort Sumter. At that 



GOVEJiA/OJfS OF IOWA. 



time, April, 1861, he was holding court in 
Fairfield, Jefferson County, and when the 
news came of the insult to the old flag he 
immediately adjourned court and prepared 
for what he believed to be more important 
duties — duties to his country. 

In May he enlisted as a private ; was 
made Captain of Company B, Third Iowa 
Infantr)', and was subsequently promoted 
to Major. With that regiment he was at 
the battle of Blue Mills, Missouri, in Sep- 
tember, 1861, where he was wounded. At 
Shiloh, the following spring, he commanded 
the regiment and was taken prisoner. By 
order of Jefferson Davis he was paroled for 
the time of forty days, with orders to re- 
pair to Washington, and if possible secure 
an agreement for a cartel for a general ex- 
change of prisoners, and to return as a 
prisoner if he did not succeed. Failing to 
secure that result within the period speci- 
fied he returned to Richmond and had 
his parol extended fifteen days ; repairing 
again to Washington, he effected his pur- 
pose and was exchanged. 

In August, 1862, he was appointed by 
Governor Kirkwood Colonel of the Twen- 
ty-second Iowa Infantry, which rendez- 
voused and organized at Camp Pope, Iowa 
City, in August, 1862. The regiment was 
occupied for several months in guarding 
supply stores and the railroad, and escorting 
supply trains to the Army of the Southeast 
Missouri until January 27, 1863, when it re- 
ceived orders to join the army under Gen- 
eral Davidson, at West Plains, Missouri. 
After a march of five days it reached its 
destination, and was brigaded with the 
Twenty-first and Twenty-third Iowa regi 
ments, Colonel Stone commanding, and was 
designated the First Brigade, First Divis- 
ion, Army of Southeast Missouri. April 1 
found Colonel Stone at Milliken's Bend, 
Louisiana, to assist Grant in the capture of 
Vicksburg. He was now in immediate 
command of his regiment, which formed a 



part of a brigade under Colonel C L. 
Harris, of the Eleventh Wisconsin. In the 
advance upon Port Gibson Colonel Harris 
was taken sick, and Colonel Stone was 
again in charge of a brigade. In the battle 
of Port Gibson the Colonel and his com- 
mand distinguished themselves, and were 
successful. The brigade was in the reserve 
at Champion Hills, and in active skirmish 
at Black River. 

On the evening of May 21 Colonel Stone 
received General Grant's order for a gen- 
eral assault on the enemy's lines at 10 a. m. 
on the 22d. In this charge, which was 
unsuccessful, Colonel Stone was again 
wounded, receiving a gunshot in his left 
forearm. Colonel Stone commanded a 
brigade until the last of August, when, 
being ordered to the Gulf department, he 
resigned. He had become very popular 
with the people of Iowa, and they were 
determined to make him Governor. 

He was nominated in a Republican con- 
vention held at Des Moines in June, 1863, 
and was elected by a large majority'. He 
was brevetted Brigadier-General in 1864, 
during his first year as Governor. He was 
inaugurated January 14, 1864, and was re- 
elected in 1865, his four years in office 
closing January 16, 1868. His majorit)- in 
1863 was nearly 30,000, and in 1865 about 
16,500. His dmiinished vote in 1865 was 
due to the fact that he was very strongly 
committed in favor of negro suffrage. 

Governor Stone made a very energetic 
and efficient executive. Since the expira- 
tion of his gubernatorial term he has sought 
to escape the public notice, and has given 
his time largely to his private business in- 
terests. He is in partnership with Hon. O. 
B. Ayres, of Knoxville, in legal practice. 

He was elected to the General Assembly 
in 1877, and served one term. 

In May, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet 
Mathews, a native of Ohio, then residing in 
Knoxville. They have one son — -William A. 



SAMUEL MERRILL. 



203 





OLONEL SAM- 
UEL MERRILL, the 
seventh Governor of 
the State of Iowa, the 
successor of Governor 
Stone, is among the 
men of the West who 
have been called from 
private life to places of trust on 
account of their peculiar fitness 
for office. He was born in the 
town of Turner, Oxford County, 
Maine, August 7, 1822. He is 
lish ancestry, being a 
lant on his mother's side 
ix Hill, who came from 
the West of England and set- 
tled in Saco, Maine (now known as Bidde- 
ford), in 1653. From this ancestry have 
sprung the most of the Hills of America. 
On his fatiier's side he is a descendant of 
Nathaniel Merrill, who, with his brother 
John, came from Salisbury, England, and 
settled in Newburg, Massachusetts, in 1636. 
Abel Merrill married Abigail Hill, June 
25, 1809, in Buxton, Maine. They soon 
moved to Turner, where they became the 
parents of eight children, Samuel, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, being next the youngest, 
the fourth and youngest son in the family, 
and in the eighth generation from his Pil- 
grim fathers. 



Samuel was married first to Catherine 
Thoms, who died m 1847, but fourteen 
months after their marriage. In January, 
1 85 1, he was again married, his second wife 
being a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine. To 
this union there have been born four chil- 
dren, three of whom died young, the eldest 
living to be only two and a half years old. 

At the age of sixteen he moved with his 
parents to Buxton, where his time was 
mostly engaged by turns in teaching and 
in attending school until he attained his 
majority. Having determined to make 
teaching a profession, he set out for that 
purpose toward the sunn}^ South, but, as 
he says, he was " born too far north " for 
his political comfort. Suspicion having 
been aroused as to his abolitionist pro- 
clivities, and finding the elements not al- 
together congenial, he soon abandoned the 
land of chivalry for the old Granite State, 
where he engaged for several years in 
farming. 

In 1847 he removed to Tamworth, New 
Hampshire, where he embarked in mer- 
cantile business in company with a brother. 
In this, as in all his business enterprises, he 
was quite successful. Not being satisfied 
with the limited resources of Northern 
New England, he determined to tr)' his 
good fortune on the broad prairies of the 
new and more fertile West. Accordingly, 



204 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



in 1856, he turned his face toward the set- 
ting sun. He made a final settlement at 
McGregor, Iowa, where he established a 
branch house of the old firm. 

During all these years of business Mr. 
Merrill took an active but not a noisy part 
in politics. In 1854 he was elected as an 
Abolitionist to the New Hampshire Legis- 
lature, at the same time General N. B. 
Baker, ex-Adjutant General of Iowa, was 
Governor of the same State. In 1^55 he 
was returned for a second term to the Leg- 
islature. In Iowa he was equally fortunate 
in securing the good will of those who 
knew him. His neighbors and those who 
had dealings with him found a man who 
was honest in his busmess, fair in his deal- 
ings, social in his relations, and benevolent 
in his disposition. He took an active in- 
terest in the prosperit}- of the town and 
ever held an open hand to all needed chari- 
ties. These traits of character had drawn 
around him, though not realized or intended 
by himself, a host of personal admirers. 
This good will resulted in his being nomi- 
nated for a seat in the State Legislature, 
and he was the only one on his ticket that 
was elected. The Legislature met in extra 
session in 1861 to provide for the exigencies 
of the Rebellion, and in its deliberations Mr. 
Merrill rendered effective and unselfish 
service. 

He continued in business at McGregor 
until the summer of 1862, when he was 
commissioned as Colonel of the Twenty- 
first Iowa Infantry, proceeding immediately 
to Missouri, where active service awaited 
him. Marmaduke was menacing the Union 
forces in Central Missouri, which called for 
prompt action on the part of the Union 
Generals. Colonel Merrill was placed in 
command of a detachment of the Twent}'- 
first Iowa, a detachment of the Ninety-ninth 
Illinois, a portion of the Third Iowa Cavalry 
and two pieces of artillery, with orders to 
make a forced march to Springfield, he be- 



ing at Houston, eighty miles distant. On 
the morning of the nth of January, 1863, 
they having come across a body of rebels, 
found them advancing in heavy force. 
Colonel Merrill immediately made dis- 
position for battle, and brisk firing was 
kept up for an hour, when the enemy fell 
back. Colonel Merrill now moved in the 
direction of Hartville, where he found the 
rebels in force under Marmaduke, and from 
six to eight thousand strong, with six pieces 
of artillery, while Colonel Merrill had but 
800 men and two pieces of artillery. 

In this engagement the rebels lost several 
officers and not less than 300 men in killed 
and wounded. The Union loss was seven 
killed and sixty-four wounded, five captured 
and two missing. The regiment performed 
severe marches and suffered much in sick- 
ness during the winter. It was assigned to 
the Thirteenth Corps, General John A. Mc- 
Clernand ; fought gallantlj' at the battle of 
Port Gibson; and while the impetuous 
charge of Black River bridge was being 
made Colonel Merrill was severely, and re- 
ported fatally, wounded. The battle of Black 
River bridge, the last of the series of engage- 
ments during the campaign of Vicksburg in 
which the rebels fought without their fortifi- 
cations, was a short but blood}' combat. 
While Colonel Merrill was leading his regi- 
ment in this deadly charge he was wounded 
through the hips. This brought his mili- 
tary career to a close. Suffering from his 
wounds, he resigned his commission and re- 
turned to McGregor, but was unable to at- 
tend to his private affairs for many months. 

In 1867 he was chosen Governor to suc- 
ceed William M. Stone. He was inaugu- 
rated January 16, 1868, and served till 
January li, 1872, being re-elected in 1869. 
After the expiration of his term of office 
he returned to McGregor, but as soon as 
he could adjust his business interests he lo- 
cated in Des Moines, where he is now 
President of the Citizens' National Bank. 



CrjfUS C. CARPENTER. 



207 








ROM his numerous offi- 
cial positions, and 
the abilit}' with 
which they have 
been filled, Cyrus 
C. Carpenter, the 
eighth Governor of 
the State of Iowa, 
deserves to be remembered 
as one of Iowa's foremost 
men. He is a native of Sus- 
quehanna County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born Novem- 
ber 24, 1829. His parents 
were Asahel and Amanda M. 
(Thayer) Carpenter, both of whom died be- 
fore he was twelve years old. His grand- 
father, John Carpenter, was one of nine 
young men who, in 1789, left Attleborough, 
Massachusetts, for the purpose of finding a 
home in the " new country." After various 
vicissitudes they located upon the spot 
which they called Harford, in Northeastern 
Pennsylvania, the township in which Cyrus 
was born. This location at that time was 
far from any other settlement, Wilkesbarre, 
in Wyoming Valley, near the scene of the 
celebrated Indian massacre, being among 
the nearest, though fifty miles away. 

Cyrus attended a common school three 
or four months in a year until 1846, then 



taught winters and worked on a farm sum- 
mers for three or four years, and with the 
money thus raised paid his expenses for 
several months at the academy which had 
been established in his native town. After 
leaving this institution, in 1852, he started 
westward ; halted at Johnstown, Lickinsr 
County, Ohio ; taught there a year and a 
half, and with his funds thus replenished he 
came to Iowa, loitering some on the way, 
and reaching Des Moines in June, 1854. A 
few days later he started on foot up the 
Des Moines Valley, and found his way to 
Fort Dodge, eighty miles northwest of Des 
Moines, from which place the soldiers had 
moved the previous spring to Fort Ridgely, 
Minnesota. 

He now had but a single half dollar m 
his pocket. He frankly told the landlord 
of his straightened circumstances, offering 
to do any kind of labor until something 
should " turn up." On the evening of his 
arrival he heard a Government contractor 
state that his chief surveyor had left him 
and that he was going out to find another. 
Young Carpenter at once offered his ser- 
vices. To the inquiry whether he was a 
surveyor, he answered that he understood 
the theory of surveying, but had had no 
experience in the field. His services were 
promptly accepted, with a promise of steady 



2o8 



GOVERNORS OF JOWA. 



employment if he were found competent. 
The next morning he met the party and 
took command. When the first week's 
work was done he went to Fort Dodge to 
replenish his wardrobe. As he left, some 
of the men remarked that that was the last 
that would be seen of him. He was then 
of a slight build, jaded and torn by hard 
work, and, when he left the camp, so utterly 
tired out it is not surprising that the men 
who were inured to out-door life thought 
him completely used up. But they did not 
know their man. With the few dollars 
which he had earned, he supplied himself 
with comfortable clothing, went back to 
his work on Monday morning and con- 
tinued it till the contract was completed. 

The next winter he taught the first school 
opened in Fort Dodge, and from that date 
his general success was assured. For the 
first two years he was employed much of 
the time by persons having contracts for 
surveying Government lands. He was thus 
naturally led into the land business, and 
from the autumn of 1855, when the Land 
Office was established at Fort Dodge, much 
of his time was devoted to surveying, select- 
ing lands for buyers, tax-paying for foreign 
owners, and in short a general land agency. 
During this period he devoted such time as 
he could spare to reading law, with the 
view of eventually entering the profession. 

Soon after the civil war commenced he 
entered the army, and before going into the 
field was commissioned as Captain in the 
staff department, and served over three 
years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel and being mustered out as brevet 
Colonel. 

He has served his State in numerous 
civil capacities. He was elected Surveyor 
of Webster County in the spring of 1856, 
and the next year was elected a Represen- 
tative to the General Assembly, and served 
in the first session of that body held at Des 
Moines. He was elected Register of the 



State Land Office in 1866, re-elected in 
1868, and held the office four years, declin- 
ing to be a candidate for renomination. 
He was elected Governor of Iowa in 

1871, and was inaugurated January 11, 1872. 
He was re-elected two years later, and 
served until January 13, 1874. He made 
an able and popular executive. In his first 
inaugural address, delivered January 11, 

1872, he made a strong plea for the State 
University, and especially its normal de- 
partment, for the agricultural college, and 
for whatever would advance the material 
progress and prosperity of the people, urg- 
ing in particular the introduction of more 
manufactories. 

At the expiration of his second term as 
Governor Mr. Carpenter was appointed, 
without his previous knowledge. Second 
Comptroller of the United States Treasury, 
and resigned after holding that office about 
fifteen months. He was influenced to take 
this step at that time because another bureau 
officer was to be dismissed, as the head of 
the department held that Iowa had more 
heads of bureaus than she was entitled to, 
and his resigning an office of a higher grade 
saved a man who deserved to remain in 
Government employ. 

He was in the forty-seventh Congress 
from 1 88 1 to 1883, and represented Web- 
ster County in the twentieth General As- 
sembly. He is now leading the life of a 
private citizen at Fort Dodge, his chief 
employment being the carrying on of a 
farm. He is not rich, which is a striking 
commentary on his long official service. 
He has led a pure and upright life. 

He has been a Republican since the or- 
ganization of that party. In religious mat- 
ters he is orthodox. 

He was married in March, 1864, to Miss 
Susan C. Burkholder, of Fort Dodge. They 
have no children, but have reared from 
childhood a niece of Mrs. Carpenter, Miss 
Fannie Burkholder. 



yOSHUA G. NEWBOLD. 




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OSHUA G. NEWBOLD 
was the tenth Governor 
of the State, and the 
thirteenth of Iowa, num- 
bering from the first 
Territorial G o v e r nor. 
He is yet living at Mount 
Pleasant. He is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and his an- 
cestors in this country were 
among the very early set- 
tlers in New Jersey. They 
were Friends, and conse- 
quently none of them 
figured in the struggle for 
the independence of the colo- 
nies. Governor Newbold is the son of 
Barzilla and Catherine (Houseman) New- 
bold. He was born in Fayette County, 
Pennsylvania, May 12, 1830, and reared as 
a farmer. When he was eight years of age 
the family moved to Westmoreland County, 
same State, where he was educated in the 
common school, and also in a select school 
or academy, the latter taught by Dr. John 
Lewis, since of Grinnell, Iowa. At sixteen 
he returned with the family to Fayette 
Count)', where he remained eight years, 
assisting his father in running a flouring 
mill, when not teaching. When about nine- 
teen he began the study of medicine, read- 
ing a year or more while teaching, and then 
abandoning the notion of being a physician. 



In the month of March, 1854, Mr. New- 
bold removed to Iowa, locating on a farm, 
now partly in the corporation of Mount 
Pleasant, Henr}' County. At the end of 
one year he removed to Cedar Township, 
Van Buren County, there merchandising 
and farming till about i860, when he re- 
moved to Hillsboro, Henry County and 
pursued the same callings. 

In 1862, when the call was made for 600,- 
000 men to finish the work of crushing the 
Rebellion, Mr. Newbold left his farm in the 
hands of his family and his store in charge 
of his partner, and went into the army as 
Captain of Company C, Twenty-fifth Regi- 
ment Iowa Infantry. He served nearly 
three years, resigning just before the war 
closed, on account of disability. During 
the last two or three months he served at 
the South he filled the position of Judge 
Advocate, with headquarters at Woodville, 
Alabama. 

His regiment was one of those that made 
Iowa troops famous. It arrived at Helena, 
Arkansas, in November, 1862, and sailed in 
December following on the expedition 
against Vicksburg by way of Chickasaw 
Bayou. At the latter place was its first en- 
gagement. Its second was at Arkansas 
Post, and there it suffered severely, losing 
in killed and wounded more than sixty. 

Alter Lookout Mountain it joined in the 
pursuit of Bragg's flying forces to Ring- 



GOVEBNOHS OF IOWA. 



gold, where it engaged the enem)' in their 
strong works, November 27 losing twent)-- 
nine wounded. The following year it joined 
Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, then on 
the famous march to the sea and through 
the Carolinas. 

On returning to Iowa he continued in 
the mercantile trade at Hillsboro for three 
or four years, and then sold out, giving 
thereafter his whole attention to agricult- 
ure, stock-raising and stock-dealing, mak- 
ing the stock department an important 
factor in his business for several years. Mr. 
Newbold was a member of the thirteenth, 
fourteenth and fifteenth General Assem- 
blies, representing Henry County, and was 
chairman of the school committee in the 
fourteenth, and of the committee on appro- 
priations in the fifteenth General Assembly. 
In the fifteenth (1874) he was temporary' 
Speaker during the deadlock in organizing 
the House. In 1875 he was elected Lieu- 
tenant Governor on the Republican ticket 
with Samuel J. Kirkwood. 

His Democratic competitor was E. B. 
Woodward, who received 93,060 votes. Mr. 
Newbold received 134,166, or a majority of 
31,106. Governor Kirkwood being elected 
United States Senator during that session, 
Mr. Newbold became Governor, taking the 
chair February i, 1877, and vacating it for 
Governor Gear in January, 1878. 

Governor Newbold's message to the Leg- 
islature in 1878 shows painstaking care 
and a clear business-like view of the in- 
terests of the State. His recommendations 
were carefully considered and largely 
adopted. The State's finances were then 
in a less creditable condition than ever be- 
fore or since, as there was an increasing 
floating debt, then amounting to $340,- 
826.56, more than $90,000 in e.xcess of the 
Constitutional limitation. Said Governor 
Newbold in his message: "The common- 
wealth ought not to set an example of dila- 



toriness in meeting its obligations. Of all 
forms of indebtedness, that of a floating 
character is the most objectionable. The 
uncertainty as to its amount will invariably 
enter into any computation made by persons 
contracting with the State for supplies, ma- 
terial or labor. To remove the present 
difficulty, and to avert its recurrence, I 
look upon as the most important work that 
will demand your attention." 

One of the greatest problems before 
statesmen is that of equal and just ta.Kation. 
The following recommendation shows that 
Governor Newbold was abreast with fore- 
rnost thinkers, for it proposes a step which 
yearly finds more favor with the people: 
" The inequalities of the personal-property 
valuations of the several counties suggest 
to my mind the propriety of so adjusting 
the State's levy as to require the counties 
to pay into the State treasury only the tax 
on realty, leaving the corresponding tax on 
personalty in the count}' treasury. This 
would rest with each county the adjust- 
ment of its personal property valuations, 
without fear that they might be so high as 
to work injustice to itself in comparison 
with other counties." 

Governor Newbold has always affiliated 
with the Republican party, and holds to its 
great cardinal doctrines, having once em- 
braced them, with the same sincerity and 
honesty that he cherishes his religious senti- 
ments. He has been a Christian for some- 
thing like twenty-five years, his connection 
being with the Free-Will Baptist church. 
He found his wife, Rachel Farquhar, in 
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, their union 
taking place on the 2d of May, 1850. They 
have had five children, and lost two. The 
names of the living are — Mary Allene, 
Emma Irene and George C. 

The Governor is not yet an old man, and 
may serve his State or county in other 
capacities in the coming years. 





'/ 



JOHN H. GEAR. 



2"S 



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\H E eleventh to hold the 
highest official posi- 
tion in the State of 
Iowa was John H. 
Gear, of Burlington. 
He is yet living in 
that city. He was 
born in Ithaca, New York, 
April 7, 1825. His father 
was Rev. E. G. Gear, a cler- 
gyman of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, who 
was born in New London, 
Connecticut, in 1792. 
.< vy^ When he was quite young 

>w^'®„\v«* h i s family removed to 

Pittsfield, Berkshire County, 
Massachusetts; in i8i6, after being or- 
dained, he emigrated to New York and 
settled at Onondaga Hill, near which is now 
the thriving city of Syracuse. Soon after 
locating there he was married to Miranda E. 
Cook. He was engaged in the ministry in 
various places in Western New York until 
1836, when he removed to Galena, Illinois. 
There he remained until 1838, when he was 
appointed Chaplain in the United States 
Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He 
died in 1874, aged eighty-two years. 

John H., his only son, in 1843, came to 
Burlington, where he has since continued 
to reside. On his arrival he commenced 



his mercantile career by engaging as clerk 
with the firm of Bridgeman & Bros. After 
being with this firm for a little over a year 
he entered the employ of W. F. Coolbaugh 
(since president of the Union National 
Bank, of Chicago), who was even at that 
early date the leading merchant of Eastern 
Iowa. He was clerk for Mr. Coolbaugh 
for about five years, and was then taken 
into partnership. The firm of W. F. Cool- 
baugh & Co. continued in business for 
nearly five years, when Mr. Gear suc- 
ceeded to the business by purchase, and 
carried it on until he became known as the 
oldest wholesale grocer in the State. He 
is now president of a large rolling mill 
company at Burlington. 

Mr. Gear has been honored by his fellow- 
citizens with many positions of trust. In 
1852 he was elected alderman ; in 1863 was 
elected mayor over A. W. Carpenter, be- 
ing the first Republican up to that time 
who had been elected in Burlington on a 
party issue. In 1867 the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids & Minnesota Railroad Company 
was organized, and he was chosen as its 
president. His efforts highly contributed 
to the success of the enterprise, which did 
much for Burlington. He was also active 
in promoting the Burlington & Southwest- 
ern Railway, as well as the Burlington & 
Northwestern narrow-gauge road. 



2l6 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



He has always acted with the RepubHcan 
party, and in 1871 was nominated and 
elected a member of the House of Repre- 
sentatives of the Fourteenth General As- 
sembly. In 1873 he was elected to the 
Fifteenth General Assembly. The Repub- 
lican caucus of the House nominated him 
for Speaker by acclamation, and after a 
contest of two weeks he was chosen over 
his opponent, J. W. Dixon. He filled the 
position of Speaker very acceptably, and 
at the close of the session all the members 
of the House, independent of party affili- 
ations, joined in signing their names to a 
resolution of thanks, which was engraved 
and presented to him. In 1875 he was the 
third time nominated to the Assembly by 
the Republican party, and while his county 
gave a large Democratic vote he was again 
elected. He was also again nominated for 
Speaker, by the Republican caucus, and 
was elected by a handsome majority over 
his competitor, Hon. John Y. Stone. He 
is the only man in the State who ever had 
the honor of being chosen to this high posi- 
tion a second time. He enjoys the reputa- 
tion of being an able parliamentarian, his 
rulings never having been appealed from. 
At the close of the session he again received 
the unanimous thanks of the House for his 
courtesy and impartiality. 

In 1877 he was nominated for Governor 
by the Republican convention which met 
at Des Moines, June 28, and at the election 
held the following October he received 
121,546 votes, against 79,353 for John P. 
Irish, 10,639 for Elias Jessup, and 38,228 for 
D. P. Stubbs. His plurality over Irish was 
42,193. He was inaugurated January 17, 
1878, and served four years, being re-elected 
in 1879, by the following handsome vote: 
Gear, 157,571 ; Trimble, 85,056 ; Campbell, 
45,439; Dungan, 3,258; Gear's majority 
over all competitors, 23,828. His second 
inauguration was in January, 1880. 

Governor Gear's business habits enabled 



him to discharge the duties of his office 
with marked ability. He found the finan- 
cial condition of the State in a low ebb, but 
raised Iowa's credit to that of the best of 
our States. In his last biennial message he 
was able to report : " The warrants out- 
standing, but not bearing interest, Septem- 
ber 30, 1881. amounted to $22,093.74, and 
there are now in the treasury ample funds 
to meet the current expenses of the State. 
The war and defense debt has been paid, 
except the warrants for $i25,ooo,negotiated 
by the executive, auditor and treasurer, 
under the law of the Eighteenth General 
Assembly, and $2,500 of the original bonds 
not yet presented for pavment. The only 
other debt owing by the State amounts to 
$245,435.19, due to the permanent school 
fund, a portion of which is made irredeem- 
able by the Constitution. These facts place 
Iowa practically among the States which 
have no debt, a consideration which must 
add much to her reputation. The expenses 
of the State for the last two years are less 
than those of any other period since 1869, 
and this notwithstanding the fact that the 
State is to-day sustaining several institu- 
tions not then in existence ; namely, the 
hospital at Independence, the additional 
penitentiary, the normal school, and the 
asylum for the feeble-minded children, be- 
sides the girl's department of the reform 
school. The State also, at present, makes 
provision for fish culture, for a useful 
weather service, for sanitary supervision 
by a board of health, for encouraging im- 
migration to the State, for the inspection of 
coal mines by a State inspector, and liberally 
for the military arm of the Government." 

Governor Gear is now in the sixty-first 
year of his age, and is in the full vigor of 
both his mental and physical faculties. He 
was married in 1852 to Harriet S. Foot, 
formerly of Middlebury, Vermont, by whom 
he has had four children, two of whom are 
living. 




(yS* (:/? -/%^^^^^^^ 



BUREN R. SHERAfAN. 



219 



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jHE twelfth Governor 
of the State was 
Buren R. Sherman, 
who held office two 
terms, from 1882 to 
1886. He was born 
in Phelps, Ontario 
County, New York, May 
28, 1836, and is the third 
son of Phineas L. and Eve- 
line (Robinson) Sherman, 
both of whom were natives 
of the Empire State. 

The subject of this sketch 
received his early educa- 
tion in the public schools 
of his native place, and con- 
cluded his studies at Elmira, New York, 
acquiring a thorough knowledge of the 
English branches. At the close of his 
studies, acting on the advice of his father, 
who was a mechanic (an ax maker), he ap- 
prenticed himself to Mr. S. Ayres, of El- 
mira, to learn the watchmaker's trade. In 
1855, with his family, he removed to Iowa 
and settled upon an unbroken prairie, in 
what is now Geneseo Township, Tama 
County, where his father had purchased 
lands from the Government. There young 
Sherman labored on his father's farm, em- 
ploying his leisure hours in the study of 
law, which he had begun at Elmira. He 

also engaged as bookkeeper in a neighbor- 
ly 



ing town, and with his wages assisted his 
parents in improving their farm. In the 
summer of 1859 he was admitted to the bar, 
and the following spring removed to Vin- 
ton, and began the practice of law with 
Hon. William Smyth, formerly District 
Judge, and J. C. Traer, conducting the 
business under the firm name of Smyth, 
Traer & Sherman. 

They built up a flourishing practice and 
were prospering when, upon the opening 
of the war, in 1861, Mr. Sherman enlisted in 
Company G, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, and immediately went to the 
front. He entered the service as Second 
Sergeant, and in February, 1862, was made 
Second Lieutenant of Company E. On the 
6th of April following he was very severely 
wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
and while in the hospital was promoted to 
the rank of Captain. He returned to his 
company while yet obliged to use crutches, 
and remained on duty till the summer of 
1863, when, by reason of his wound, he was 
compelled to resign and return home. Soon 
after returning from the army he was 
elected County Judge of Benton County, 
and re-elected without opposition in 1865. 
In the autumn of 1866 he resigned his judge- 
ship and accepted the office of clerk of the 
District Court, to which he was re-elected 
in 1868, 1870 and 1872, and in December, 
1874, resigned in order to accept the office 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



of Auditor of State, to which he had been 
elected hy a majority of 28,425 over J. M. 
King, the " anti-monopoly" candidate. In 
1876 he was re-nominated and received 50,- 
272 more votes than W. Growneweg(Demo- 
crat) and Leonard Brown (Greenback) to- 
gether. In 1878 he was again chosen to 
represent the Republican party in that office, 
and this time received a majority of 7,164 
over the combined votes of Colonel Eiboeck 
(Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger (Green- 
back). In the si.\ years that he held this 
office, he was untiring in his faithful appli- 
cation to routine work and devotion to his 
especial share of the State's business. He 
retired with such an enviable record that it 
was with no surprise the people learned, 
June 27, 1 88 1, that he was the nominee of the 
Republican parly for Governor 

The campaign was an e.xciting one. The 
General Assembly had submitted to the 
people the prohibitory amendment to the 
Constitution. This, while not a partisan 
question, became uppermost in the mind 
of the public. Mr. Sherman received 133,- 
330 votes, against 83,244 for Kinne and 28,- 
112 for D. M. Clark, or a plurality of 50,086 
and a majority of 21,974. In 1883 he was 
re-nominated by the Republicans, as was L. 
G. Kinne by the Democrats. The National 
party offered J. B. Weaver. During the 
campaign these candidates held a number 
of joint discussions at different points in the 
State. At the election the vote was : Sher- 
man, 164,182; Kinne, 139,093; Weaver, 23,- 
089; Sherman's plurality, 25,089; majority, 
2,000. In his second inaugural Governor 
Sherman said : 

" In assuming, fur the second time, the 
office of Chief Magistrate of the State, I 
fully realize my grateful obligations to the 
people of Iowa, through whose generous 
confidence I am here. I am aware of the 
duties and grave responsibilities of this ex- 
alted position, and as well what is expected 
of me therein. As in the past I have given 



my undivided time and serious attention 
thereto, so in the future I promise the most 
earnest devotion and untiring effort in the 
faithful performance of my official require- 
ments. I have seen the State grow from 
infancy to mature manhood, and each year 
one of substantial betterment of its previous 
position. 

" With more railroads than any other 
State, save two ; with a school interest the 
grandest and strongest, which commands 
the support and confidence of all the peo- 
ple, and a population, which in its entirety 
is superior to any other in the sisterhood, 
it is not strange the pride which attaches to 
our people. When we remember that the 
results of our efforts in the direction of good 
government have been crowned with such 
magnificent success, and to-day we have a 
State in most perfect ph3'sical and financial 
condition, no wonder our hearts swell in 
honest pride as we contemplate the past 
and so confidently hope for the future. 
What we may become depends on our own 
efforts, and to that future I look with earnest 
and abiding confidence." 

Governor Sherman's term of office con- 
tinued until January 14, i886, when he was 
succeeded by William Larrabee, and he is 
now, temporaril}-, perhaps, enjoying a well- 
earned rest. He has been a Republican 
since the organization of that party, and his 
services as a campaign speaker have been 
for many years in great demand. As an 
officer he has been able to make an enviable 
record. Himself honorable and thorough, 
his management of public business has been 
o"f the same character, and such as has com- 
mended him to the hearty approval of the 
citizens of the State. 

He was married August 20, 1862, to Miss 
Lena Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young 
lady of rare accomplishments and strength 
of character. The union has been happy 
in every respect. They have two children 
— Lena Kendall and Oscar Eugene. 





\ 



W/LL/AM LARRAhEE. 



22j 













ILLIAMLARRABEE 

is the thirteenth 
Governor of this 
State, and the six- 
teenth Governor 
of Iowa, counting 
from the Territo- 
rial organization. His ancestors 
bore the name of d'Larrabee, and 
were among the French Hugue- 
nots who came to America early 
in the seventeenth century, set- 
tling in Connecticut. Adam 
Larrabee was born March 14, 
1787, and was one of the early 
graduates of West Point Military Academy. 
He served with distinction in the war of 
1812, having been made a Second Lieuten- 
ant March i, 181 1. He was promoted to be 
Captain February i, 1814, and was soon 
after, March 30, of the same year, severely 
wounded at the battle of Lacole Mills, dur- 
ing General Wilkinson's campaign on the 
St. Lawrence. He recovered from this 
wound, which was in the lung, and was 
afterward married to Hannah Gallup Lester, 
who was born June 8, 1798, and died March 
IS. 1837. Captain Larrabee died in 1869, 
aged eighty-two. 

The subject of this sketch was bom at 



Ledyard, Connecticut, January 20, 183^ 
and was the seventh of nine children. He 
passed his early life on a rugged New Eng- 
land farm, and received only moderate 
school advantages. He attended the dis- 
trict schools winters until nineteen years of 
age, and then taught school for two winters. 

He was now of an age when it became 
necessary to form some plans for the future 
In this, however, he was embarrassed by a 
misfortune which befel him at the age of 
fourteen. . In being trained to the use of 
fire-arms under his father's direction, an ac- 
cidental discharge resulted in the loss of 
sight in the right eye. This unfitted him 
for many employments usually sought by 
ambitious youths. The family lived two 
miles from the sea, and in that locality it 
was the custom for at least one son in each 
family to become a sailor. William's two 
eldest brothers chose this occupation, and 
the third remained in 
farm. 

Thus made free to choose for himself 
William decided to emigrate West. In 
1853, accordingly, he came to Iowa." His 
elder sister, Hannah, wife of E. H. Williams, 
was then living at Garnavillo, Clavton 
County, and there he went first. In that 
way he selected Northeast Iowa as his 



charge of the home 



J24 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



future home. After teaching one winter at 
Hardin, he was for three years employed as 
a sort of foreman on the Grand Meadow 
farm of his brother-in-law, Judge Williams. 

In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in 
the Clermont Mills, and located at Cler- 
mont, Fayette County. He soon was able 
\o buy the other two-thirds, and within a 
year found himself sole owner. He oper- 
ated this mill until 1874, when he sold to S. 
M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war 
he offered to enlist, but was rejected on ac- 
count of the loss of his right eye. Being 
informed he might possibly be admitted as 
a commissioned officer he raised a compan)' 
and received a commission as First Lieu- 
tenant, but was again rejected for the same 
disability. 

After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee de- 
voted himself to farming, and started a 
private bank at Clermont. He also, ex- 
perimentally, started a large nursery, but 
this resulted only in confirming the belief 
that Northern lowa^ has too rigorous a cli- 
mate for fruit-raising. 

Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political 
career until 1867. He was reared as a 
Whig, and became a Republican on the or- 
ganization of that party. While interested 
in politics he generally refused local offices, 
serving only as treasurer of the School 
Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that 
year, on the Republican ticket, he was 
elected to represent his county in the State 
Senate. To this high position he was re- 
elected from time to time, so that he served 
as Senator continuously for eighteen years 
before being promoted to the highest office 
in the State. He was so popular at home 
that he was generally re-nominated by ac- 
clamation, and for some years the Demo- 
crats did not even make nominations. 
During the whole eighteen years Senator 
Larrabee was a member of the principal 
committee, that on Ways and Means, of 
which he was generally chairman, and was 



also a member of other committees. In the 
pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon 
him he was indefatigable. It is said that 
he never missed a committee meeting. Not 
alone in this, but in private and public 
business of all kinds his uniform habit is 
that of close application to work. Many 
of the important measures passed by the 
Legislature owe their existence or present 
form to him. 

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial 
nomination in 1881, but entered the contest 
too late, as Governor Sherman's following 
had been successfully organized. In 1885 
it was generally conceded before the meet- 
ing of the convention that he would be 
nominated, which he was, and his election 
followed as a matter of course. He was 
inaugurated Januar)' 14, 1886, and so far 
has made an excellent Governor. His 
position in regard to the liquor question, 
that on which political fortunes are made 
and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should 
rule. He was personall)' in favor of high 
license, but having been elected Governor, 
and sworn to uphold the Constitution and 
execute the laws, he proposes to do so. 

A Senator who sat beside him in the 
Senate declares him to be " a man of the 
broadest comprehension and informatioiv, 
an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and 
conscientious in his conclusions, and of 
Spartan firmness in his matured judg- 
ment," and says that " he brings the prac- 
tical facts and philosophy of human nature, 
the science and history of law, to aid in his 
decisions, and adheres with the earnestness 
of Jeflerson and Sumner to the fundamental 
principles of the people's rights in govern- 
ment and law." 

Governor Larrabee was married Sep- 
tember 12, 1 861, at Clermont, to Anna M. 
Appclman, daughter of Captain G. A. 
Appelman. Governor Larrabee has seven 
children — Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, 
William, Frederic and Helen. 



HISTORY OF 



Shelby County, Iowa. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTOKY. 

I^AOH year, as it rolls its resistless way 
along the mighty pathway of time, is 
fast thinning the ranks of the hardy 
pioneers, who, in their adventurous way, first 
made the broad pathway of emigration into 
the bright valley and beautifully rolling 
prairie land of what is now Shelby County. 
The relentless hand of death, pursuing his 
remorseless and unceasing avocation, is cutting 
down, one by one, the hardy and brave men 
and women who first dared, into this western 
wilderness, to cope with the untried realities 
of a domain unknown to civilization, and un- 
inhabited, save by the savage, roaming tribes 
of Indians, who for an unknown period 
enjoyed their sort of life, even as we do ours 
now. Within the memory of many now 
living in this county, the Indian chieftain, 
with his dusky maiden, was inspired by the 
scenes of nature on every hand. This to 
thera was doubtless a sacred spot; here they 
had liunted and fished; here tliey had wor- 
shiped the Great Spirit; here they had lived 
and died, passing away to give place to a 
truer, better type of humau creatures. 

No tongue can tell, no pen portray, the 
hardships and cruel vicissitudes of fortune 
endured in those early days by the little 



band of "apostate" Mormons, wlio, for the 
conscience within themselves, deserted Brie- 
ham Young and his polygamous devotees, 
upon reaching the Missouri Eiver. The his- 
torian of to-day looks into the bedimmed eye 
of the Latter-Day Saints, observing their 
weather-beaten form, the furrowed brow, the 
prematurely hoary locks, and takes them all 
as evidence that these people have passed 
through "great tribulation." 

Besides these Mormons (who formed the 
majority of Shelby County's first settlers), 
there were some others among the earliest 
settlement, who left the comforts of beautiful 
homes in the far-away East and volunteered 
here to plow the first fields and reap the 
first grain. These, too, often endured penury 
and want while trying to subdue and fully 
conquer Dame Nature and establish for their 
families comfortable homes in what, at that 
date, was a boundless wilderness. 

Let us hasten, then, to put down the words 
as they fall from their quivering lips, of the 
grandly heroic deeds done in those pioneer 
times, that their actions may find the niche 
in history which they justly deserve. Let 
their words and deeds build for them a mon- 
ument that shall long outlast the stone or 
bronze which shall ere long mark their last 



230 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



resting place. Let there an epitaph be in- 
scribed, "Thky have builded bettee than 

THEY KNEW." 

But before we tate up the history of true, 
modern liistoric times, let us record a few of 
the facts concerning this county as it existed 
" down through the dim and misty vista of 
time before man was," and see what founda- 
tions were here builded by an all-wise Crea- 
tor, in the geological formation, the soil, the 
forests and the streams. 

GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 

Shelby County is situated on the Missouri 
slope, in the fourth tier of counties from the 
southern boundary line of the State, and is 
tiie second east from the Missouri River. 
It is twenty-four miles square, and has an 
area of 576 square miles. It is bounded on 
the north by Crawford County, on the east 
by Audubon County, on the south by Cass 
and Pottawattamie counties, and on the west 
by Harrison County. 

The general surface of the land within the 
borders of this county is very rolling, and in 
portions it is quite hilly prairie land, with a 
few good-sized native groves, of which Gal- 
land's is the largest. It may be said of the 
topograpliy of nearly all this portion of Iowa, 
that its surface reminds one of an irregular 
checker-board of ridges and intervening val- 
leys, furrowed out by the great plow of 
Nature. It is a prairie country, but does 
not have the usual characteristics of prairie 
land, as occasional groves and beautiful 
streamlets relieve the ordinary monotony of 
a stretch of prairie. Let one, to illustrate, 
imagine for a moment that at one time in its 
formation the whole county was in a liquid 
state, and by a violent wind had been thrown 
into billowy commotion, resembling the angry 
ocean wlien storm-driven. Imagine the whole 
to be cut up into great wave-furrowed sec- 



tions, and then by some sudden process to be 
frozen, and this will show about the broken 
condition of the land in Shelby County. It 
is excellent for agriculture, as the hillsides 
have line rich soil and are especially adapted 
to the growing of the various fruits cultivated 
in this, latitude. The bottom lands generally 
slope toward the streams, and along the West 
Nishnabotna River is one of the finest valleys 
in all the broad domain of Iowa. All the 
various valleys in the county possess tlie 
richest of soil, which is known as "bluff de- 
posit," washed from the hillsides, throughout 
the centuries long since passed. Unlike the 
northern and eastern portion of Iowa, this 
county has no subsoil of clay to hold the 
water; hence it is that after a heavy rain 
storm one may resume the work of farming, 
never being bothered with plows not clear- 
ing, or with muddy, impassable wagon-roads. 
In short, there is no liner soil to work in or 
travel upon than is found in southwestern 
Iowa. The principal crops grown are Indian 
corn and the common grains, all of which 
spring up quickly, grow rapidly and mature 
into profitable harvests. 

The county is exceptionally well watered, 
for an Iowa county. The West Nishnabotna 
River flows nearly southwest, through the 
middle of the territory, receiving from the 
east the waters of the Middle Nishnabotna 
River, Whittede and Indian creeks, while 
the western part is drained by branches of 
the Missouri and Boyer rivers, including 
Silver, Mosquito, Pigeon and Picayune 
creeks. Mill Creek is a small stream in the 
northwest portion of the county, which flows 
into the Boyer River in Harrison County, and 
upon which is located one of Iowa's most 
charming tracts of woodland, known as 
Galland's Grove — named from one of the 
first white men wlio settled in that vicin- 
ity. It contains about 1,000 acres. There 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



231 



are other beautiful groves throughout the 
county, along the banks of the numerous 
streams, too small to call rivers and too large 
to terra creeks, in the common understanding 
of the name. These natural groves, planted 
by Mother Nature, are made up, for the most 
part, of the different species of oak, elm, ash, 
hickory, black walnut and bass wood. There 
are also many thickets of sumach, hazel, 
thorn-apple, blackberry, gooseberry and kin- 
dred shrubs. 

The entire county is supposed, by geolog- 
ical experts, to be underlaid with a coal de- 
posit, to a greater or less extent, but is 



concealed by the post-tertiary deposit, not 
less than 200 feet beneath the surface. The 
only stone fit for building purposes is the 
boulder of the drift formation. Future pros- 
pecting and delving into the geological strata 
are quite likely to present a mineral wealth 
of great financial value. 

One of the finest features of the natural 
resources of Shelby County is the excellent 
quality, as well as quantity, of pure, whole- 
some water found in its numerous water 
courses and at easy depth for wells, affording 
an abundance of living water for stock and 
domestic purposes. 




333 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLT SETTLEMENT THE MORMONS. 

FO fix locations correctly, names and 
dates concerning the first settlement of 
^' a county, is no small task for the local 
historian. From the most positive evidence 
it is now generally conceded that the honor 
of eflfecting the first actual settlement in 
Shelby County belongs to Abraham Galland, 
who located in what is now Grove Township, 
in the autumn of 1848, building a log cabin 
in which his son-in-law, William Jordan, 
and family lived during the winter of 18-48- 
'49, being the first white family to spend a 
winter within the county. During the fore 
part of 1849 came William Felshaw, Solo- 
mon and Joseph Hancock, Franklin, Rudd and 
Joseph Roberts. Felshaw removed to Utah 
Territory, Joseph Roberts moved to eastern 
Iowa, the two Hancock brothers are both 
dead, and Franklin Rudd now resides in 
Dow City, Iowa. Abraham Galland has 
been dead many years, but William Jordan, 
the son-in-law, who lived in the first cabin 
home built in the county, still survives. He 
lives at Deloit, Crawford County, Iowa, at 
the advanced age of eighty-seven years. 

It should here be stated that the ereater 
portion of the first settlement of the county 
was from among the vast throng of families 
who separated themselves from the Mormons, 
who, under the leadership of Brigham Young, 
stopped for the winter on the banks of the 
Missouri River at a point just north of the 
present city of Omaha, Nebraska. Tiie place 
was therefore called " Winter Quarters." 
The Mormons had been driven from their 



homes at and around the city of Nanvoo, 
Illinois, and were en route for Utah at the 
time above mentioned. Up to the time of 
Joseph Smith (Sr.) being killed in the jail 
at Carthage, Illinois, there had been no such 
thing as polygamy taught by that sect, but 
upon arriving at " Winter Quarters " it was 
made known by the president of the Mormon 
church (Brigham Young, who took Joseph 
Smith's place), that it would henceforth be a 
religious requirement, and upon this ques- 
tion alone many thousands separated them- 
selves, as they would not submit to what 
they believed to be a great evil. Hence it 
came about that we have what is known as 
the " He-onjanised Church of Jesus Christ 
of Latter Day Saints.'''' The so-called " Mor- 
mons " of Shelby Conuty, as well as many of 
its adjoining counties, are in no sense be- 
lievers in polygamy, and are as outspoken 
against its practice as any other religious 
denomination of people. It is for their posi- 
tion on this subject that they have been 
termed as " apostates " by the Utah Mormon 
church, with whom they have nc affiliations. 
A large number of this class, when Presi- 
dent Young proclaimed polygamy an article 
of faith, sought homes along the eastern 
banks of the Missouri River, in Iowa and 
Missouri. The first settlement in Potta- 
wattamie, Harrison, Crawford, Cass and 
Shelby counties was effected by this class, 
commonly known as Latter Day Saints. The 
reason for their scattering was principally on 
account of wishing to build up homes in the 
most suitable location, and of course early 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



233 



settlers always select the land through which 
running water is found in abundance, as well 
as because along such sti-eanis the fine nat- 
ural groves are located, all of which go 
toward constituting excellent locations for 
the pioneers. 

Galland's Grove, consisting of over 1,000 
acres of timber land, situated in the extreme 
northwest part of Shelby Count}', presented 
charming features to that persecuted band, 
large numbers of whom entered lands long 
before any government survey had been 
made. Among the early settlers at Galland's 
Grove, including the Latter Day Saints, 
were Uriah Roundy, John Mcintosh, Alex- 
ander McCord, Ralph Jenkins, William 
Vanausdall, John Hawley, Alfred Jackson, 
Milton Lynch, Benjamin Crandall, Robert 
Ford, Eli Clothier, Thomas Black. 

One of the most noted pioneer characters 
in Galland's Grove, who is still living, at the 
advanced age of eighty-two years, is John A. 
Mcintosh, who was born in Kentucky in 
1806. He spent the first seventeen years of 
his life in his native State, then went to 
Illinois, and from that State to Tennessee, 
where he was married. But few men survive 
to relate the circumstances of voting at six- 
teen Presidential elections, beginning with 
Andrew Jackson and casting his ballot, this 
fall (November, 1888), the second time for 
Grover Cleveland. 

In 1840 he removed to Lee County, Iowa, 
where he remained until 1849. He was 
among the Mormons who separated them- 
selves from the church on account of the evil 
practice of polygamy. He spent many years 
in the South, preaching the Mormon doc- 
trines, traveling on foot, from place to place. 
He first came to Shelby County in 1849, 
when but a few families had settled on J\Iill 
Creek within Galland's Grove. He located 
where he is now living. Being a man pos- 



sessed of sterling qualities, generous and true 
to all his fellow beings, he made many friends, 
even among the Indian tribes, which at that 
time possessed all western Iowa. His pio- 
neer cabin was erected in a narrow valley, 
between two great ridges, and was indeed a 
secluded and out-of-the-way location. His 
first neighbors were the wild animals and the 
Indian tribes, including the Pottawatomies 
and Omahas, who called him " The Mormon 
Chief," and would never do an act to displease 
him, on account of his bravery and kindness 
to them. He relates that in all those early 
years, living with warlike tribes on every 
hand, that he does not know of the Indians 
ever taking any of his property, except one 
pretty rooster, which was taken by an Indian 
boy, who was severely chastised by his father. 
One of the Indian chiefs was overtaken by a 
band of warriors from another tribe and 
wounded, so they supposed he would shortly 
die; however, he made out to crawl on his 
hands and knees to the cabin door of " Uncle 
Mcintosh," to whom he gave advice as to his 
burial. He wanted to be placed in a white 
man's coffin and buried on Mcintosh's land, 
all of which was sacredly carried out. A 
daughter of the hardy old pioneer died and 
was buried near the grave of the Indian 
chief, who had such implicit confidence in 
her father, who was a great peace- maker 
between the Indians themselves, as well as 
between the white race and the Indians. Mr. 
Mcintosh relates many a thrilling incident of 
frontier life. When he first settled in Shelby 
County all was new ; everything had to be 
made from the state in which wild nature had 
fashioned it. Kanesville (Council Blurt's) 
was the nearest point at which any family 
supplies could be obtained, such as flour, 
groceries, meat and clothing. The streams 
. were much larger in thoir average flow of 
water than now, and none of them were 



234 



EISrORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



spanned by any sort of a bridge. Every few 
weeks some one or more of the settlers at the 
"Grove" would go to Kanesville, becoming 
a sort of "common carrier" for the whole 
settlement, some sending for a jug of syrup, 
some for a jug of whisky! and others for 
the real necessities of life — meat, flour and 
groceries; and they were lastly cautioned to 
" be sure and see if we have any mail there! " 

During Mr. Mcintosh's ministry among 
the Latter Day Saints, he organized ten or a 
dozen branch societies. Not until old age 
had made such inroads on his strength and 
health that he was unable to get about, did 
he give up his work preaching the gospel, 
according to bis conviction. 

Among the earlier settlers of the eastern 
portion of the county and within what was 
known as Round Township, was Jefferson 
Tague, the first white man to locate in 
Round Township; he settled at what was called 
"Watson's Grove. Then came William Hack 
and his two sons, John B. Hoffman, W. Ing- 
ham, Mansel Wicks, L. D. Sunderland, 
Messrs. Heath, Hutchison, Stanton, William 
McGinnes, Dwight Tirrell, Lon Sweat, Henry 
Adams, Leonard Bowman, Colonel Dalton, 
W. W. Lyons, James McConnell, Henry 
Snider, Samuel Blake, Cyrus Luen, Nelson 
Ward, Messrs. Roland, Riibendall, Phiefer, 
Leonker, Miller, Lloyd Jiukins, Adam Cuppy, 
Dr. Johnston, and a blind man named 
Barlan. 

Those who settled in eastern Shelby County 
had farther to go to market and mill than 
those at Galland's Grove, and for a number 
of years saw great hardships, and only sur- 
vived by having a good degree of pluck and 
energy. During the hard winter of 1856-'57 
the snow was very deep, filling the ravines 
and valleys to a level and obstructing travel 
everywhere in the State. At this time Shelby 
Coimty saw great sufl'ering. The wife of 



Nelson Ward, the first settler at Kibbey's 
Grove, ground buckwheat in a common 
coffee-mill, to the amount of sixteen bushels, 
from l)ecember on until the snows had melted 
sufficient to allow her husband to go to mill. 
On the 18th of March, 1857, the snow meas- 
ured four feet on the level. A pioneer named 
George Merrill started from the Grove bear- 
ing his name, to go across to Galland's Grove, 
some twenty miles, but owing to a blinding 
storm he sought refuge within a deserted log- 
cabin built by Isaac Cuppy. For foiir days 
he attempted to make his way across to the 
Grove, but each time failing he returned to 
the lonely cabin to spend the night; he had 
no food during these long days and nights. 

Another incident, connected with that never 
to be forgotten winter of ^'' fifty -six and 
seven,'''' will suffice to illustrate what our 
pioneers had to endure, that the wilderness 
might finally blossom like the rose! Levi 
Yeoman came from Council Bluffs late iu the 
autumn of 1853 and purcliased the claims and 
cabin of Mr. Cuppy, moving his family to the 
same. He then returned to his former home 
and engaged at chopping wood, by which to 
earn a little ready money to buy the actual 
necessities of life. He had told his family 
that he would be home at a given time, but 
did not come, and as the weather was blustry 
and getting quite severe, it then being early 
in December, the wife and mother became 
alarmed. A son less than eleven years old, 
named Allen J., seeming to take the whole 
situation in, started, unbeknown to his mother, 
in search of a lost father, as he supposed. 
The distance between their place and where 
his father was working was about thirty-two 
miles; the brave son traversed this long, 
lonesome route alone, facing the cold wind 
and snow, in an almost miraculous manner; 
he arrived within three miles of the objective 
point, when night overtook him. He became 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



535 



confused and lost for the time, and believing 
all ^^ould end well with one who sought only 
to do his duty, he crawled into a hollow log 
and tliere remained until morning, when he 
resumed his journey and fortunately met his 
father, loaded down with provisions purchased 
for the family. This young lad, Allen J., 
grew to be a man, enlisted into the army and 
served as Captain of an Indiana company 
during the Rebellion. His mother, who died 
in the fall of 1854, was a sister of L. D. Sun- 
derland. 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 

Counties, like State and national common- 
wealths, are only successful and prosperous 
to the exact degree in which the}' have pru- 
dent, progressive government. The early 
history of every county in the "wild West" 
shows a lack of means with which to do 
business, as well as none too good educational 
qualifications for transacting business in an 
ofMcial capacity. Much experience liad to be 
gained at the expense of the illy pi-epared tax 
payers, who in those early days did not find 
money cropping out upon the side of every 
budding tree and bush! Prior to 1860 the 
State itself had imperfect laws. The present 
code is as good as can be found in any State 
of theUnion, but it is the crystallized methods 
of all the earlier settled States, with an occa- 
sional amendment and improvement over 
any and all of them; but necessarily this 
state of perfection could not well be obtained 
at first. The one-man power of the old 
county judge system prevailed in all of its 
imperfection until 1860, when it was changed 
tothe present (or similar) system of county 
snpervisorship. Prior to that date Shelby 
County had issued warrants for m<iny thou- 
sand dollars, which found a market in the 
money changers' hand.s of New York, and 
were bought up, many of them, for one-fourth 



their face value. Ten thousand dollars' worth 
of these bonds were purchased by a party in 
Keokuk, Iowa, who finally, during the Rebell- 
ion, brought suit and obtained judgment 
against the county for that amount. This 
worked a great hardship to the citizens, who 
more than had their hands full in taking care 
of their unruly neighbors at the South and 
trying to keep the wolf of starvation from 
their own doors. 

The first board of county supervisors met 
in a regular session January 7, 1861. The 
first board was constituted as follows: F. G. 
Clark, of Jackson Township (elected for one 
year); C. F. H. Forbes, of Ilarlan Township 
(elected for two years); John B. Swain, of 
Grove Township (elected for one year), and 
Abraham Rubendall, of Fairview Township 
(elected for two years). C. F. H. Forbes 
acted as chairman of the first board. It is 
useless to trace the different citizens who 
have served in the capacity of supervisor, 
but suffice to say that the people have always 
chosen good men from out their numbers to 
represent them in county matters. 

In 1862, during the great Indian scare, 
when the border counties were endangered, 
Mansel Wicks and A. Roundy, members of 
the county board, were appointed as a com- 
mittee to go to Crawford and other border 
counties for the purpose of finding out the 
real state of the Indian troubles. They were 
to investigate the matter and report the same 
to the board, and alsoto the Governor of Iowa. 
Nothing came of a serious nature, however. 

Among the questions the supervisors had 
to deal with, in time of the Rebellion, was 
that of raisins' funds with which to aid in 
filling up the war quota for soldiers. A peti- 
tion was presented to them, calling for a levy 
to be raised sufficient to pay the amount of 
$300 to any who might be drafted into the 
service, $500 to all old veterans, $800 to 



286 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



any who sbould volunteer to make up the 
quota of 1S65, ^1,000 to those who should 
enlist for two years, and $1,200 to those 
enlisting for three years. This petition was 
signed quite extensively, but the ''county 
dads'" rejected the demand, believing it poor 
policy to pay men to defend their country. 
Hence tlie county stood two drafts. It may 
be said to their credit, however, that they did 
appropriate $220 to be distributed among 
dependent soldiers' families. 

As has already been stated, the first records 
of Shelby County were illy kept, both cleri- 
cally and also as regards the stationery used. 
The old style of blue paper, with invisible 
rulings, together with poor quality of ink, 
made very poor county records. This was 
especially noticeable in the record of deeds, 
consequently the supervisors ordered, in 
1871, that the recorder transcribe the original 
records of his office into a new styled book, 
which was done, thus preserving intact records 
of conveyance which otherwise, within a few 
years, would have been almost illegible. 

As an index that the supervisors (the 
voice of the people) have been progressing and 
seeking to keep pace with advanced civiliza- 
tion, it may be stated that in 1871 they 
offered a reward of $300 to the person who 
should discover a three-foot strata of coal 
within Shelby County. 

As a measure of protective prudence a 
reward of $250 was otiered for the capture 
and final conviction of any horse-thief com- 
mitting depredations within the county. 

As one views the present county govern- 
ment with its good system, and knows that 
the county is out of debt, he is made to 
believe that the early settlers were prudent 
in the foundation they laid for tlie future of 
Shelby County. The county is now sub- 
divided into sixteen townships, each six 
miles square, and is provided with one Am/i- 



dred and t/urt!/-si.r public school buildings, 
excellent wagon bridges, with the best of 
roads. The assessed valuation of taxable 
property in 1854 was $20,600, as against 
$4,163,206 in 1887. The first assessor 
assessed the whole county in four days, and 
received $1.50 per day for the same The 
tax levied in 1S85 was one mill and a quarter 
county tax, six mills for school purposes, 
one-half mill for roads. 

The first bill of stationery audited called 
for $760. The county judge, clerk, recorder 
and treasurer each received $50 per year as 
their salary, with their respective fees. 

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 

The county, soon after its organization, was 
divided into two civil townships — " Galland's 
Grove " and " Kound " being the names of 
such divisions. From time to time these 
divisions have been sub-divided and re 
bounded until about 1875, when they as- 
sumed the uniform shape and size in which 
they are at present, these changes always 
being necessary in the settlement of any new 
county, owing to the fact that the settlement 
is usually made near the streams and within 
easy access to groves, etc.; but upon final 

! development, roads, school-houses, etc., are 
needed in a more uniform manner, hence 
these equal and square sub-divisions of most 
of the counties in Iowa. 

Cass Township is bounded on the north by 
"Washington, on the east by Lincoln, on the 
south by Shelby Township and Pottawattamie 
County, and on the west by Harrison County. 
It was constituted June 7, 1869, at which 
time it had a population of 120 people. 

I Clat Township comprises township 78, 
range 37, west, and is south of Jackson Town- 
ship and Audubon County, west of Audubon 
County, north of Cass County, and east of 

I Monroe Township of Shelby County. It was 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



237 



constituted a civil organization September 
10, 1807, when it contained a population of 
80 people. 

Douglas Township is bounded by Greeley 
Township on the north, Polk on the east, 
Harlan on the south, and Westphalia on the 
west. It was constituted April 3, 1871, with 
a population of 16-1. 

Faikview Township is south of Lincoln 
and Harlan townships, west of Monroe, north 
of Pottawattamie County, and east of Shelby 
Township. It was constituted September 3, 
1860, with a population of 130. 

Greeley Township is bounded north by 
Crawford County, east by Jefferson Town- 
ship, south by Douglas and west by Union 
townships. Its organization dates from 
June 2, 1874, when it contained a popula- 
tion of 70. 

Grove, which is one of the two original 
townships of Shelby County, was organized 
with its present boundaries in 1854, with a 
population of 174 people, most of whom 
were what the Utah Mormons term " Apos- 
tate Mormons," as they were of that class of 
Mormon believers who left the sect on ac- 
count of the practice of polyf>jamy, and settled 
in the western part of Iowa, refusing to go 
further than Kanesville (now Council Bluffs) 
with President Brigham Young. It is now 
bounded on the north by Crawford County, 
on the east by Union Township, on the south 
by Washington Township, and on the west 
by Harrison County. It is the northwest 
corner township of Shelby County, was the 
first one settled, and now comprises congres- 
sional township 81, range 40, west. 

Harlan Township is congressional town- 
ship 79, range 38, west, and was first consti- 
tuted September 3, 1860. The county-seat 
is within the township at Harlan, an incor- 
porated town. It is bounded on the north 
by Douglas, on the east by Jackson, on the 



south by Fairview and Monroe, and on the 
west by Lincoln townships. 

Jackson Township, which is south of Polk 
Township, west of Audubon County, north of 
Clay and Monroe townships, and east of 
Harlan Township, was constituted September 
3, 1860, and now comprises congressional 
township 79, range 37, west. When organ- 
ized its population was less than 30 people. 

Jefferson Township is bounded on its 
north by Crawford County, on the east by 
Audubon County, on the south by Polk 
Township, and west by Greeley Township. 
It comprises congressional township 81, 
range 37, west, and was constituted April 8, 
1871, at which date it had a population of 
117. 

Lincoln Township comprises congressional 
subdivision 79, range 39, west, and was con- 
stituted April 3, 1871, with a population of 
129. It is now bounded on the north by 
Westphalia Township, on the east by Harlan 
Township, on the south by Shelby and Fair- 
view townships, and on the west by Cass 
Township. 

Monroe Township, bounded on the north 
by Jackson and Harlan townships, on the 
east by Clay Township, on the south by Cass 
County, and on the west by Fairview Town- 
ship, was constituted January 7, 1873, with 
a population of about 550 people. It is made 
of all of township 78, range 38, west. 

Polk Township is south from Jefferson, 
west of the Audubon County line, north 
from Jackson Township, and east from Doug- 
las Township. It was constituted April 3, 
1871, and now comprises township 80, range 
37, west, having, when first organized, about 
120 people within its border. 

Shelby Township is bounded, north by 
Cass and Lincoln townships, east by Fairview 
Township, south by the Pottawattamie County 
line, and west by Harrison County. It was 



238 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



constituted September 6, 1870, and comprises 
at present congressional township 78, range 
40, west. It had about 190 population in 1870. 

Union Township is south of Crawford 
County, west of Greeley Township, north of 
Westphalia Township, east of Washington I 
Township. It was constituted September 4, 
1871, with a population of 87. Its present 
limits embrace all of township 81, range 39, 
west. j 

Washinoton Township is bounded, north 
by Grove Township, east by Westphalia 
Township, south by Cass Township, &nd on 
the west by Harrison County. Its organiza- 
tion dates from April 3, 1871, and its present 
territory embraces all of congressional town- 
ship 80, range 40, west. At the time it was 
constituted its population was 163. 

Westphalia Township comprises all of 
township 80, range 39, west, and was organ- 
ized June 2, 1874, with a population of 207 
people. It is bounded, north by Union, east 
by Douglas, south by Lincoln, and west by 
Washington townships. 

FIBST EVENTS. 

Much interest and no little curiosity 
attaches itself to tlie first es-ents of the set- 
tlement of any county, and along with it 
comes a great amount of controversy which 
not unfrequently baifles the best efforts of 
the gatherer of local history to establish 
fully; but after much research in various 
parts of the county it seems the following 
are the first events within the limits of the 
county: 

The first settlement made within the 
county was effected at Galiand's Grove, in 
the northwest part of the county, in 1848, 
by Abraham Galland, who came in the fall 
of 1848 and erected a log cabin, which his 
son-in-law, William Jordan, with his family, 
occupied the coming winter — being the 



winter of 1848-'49. The next to locate 
were Joseph Hancock and his two brothers. 

The first justice of the peace was Uriah 
Roundy. 

The first birth is usually spoken of as 
Granville Cuppy, but this is a mistake, as he 
was born in April, 1854, and there were 
quite a number of children born in Galiand's 
Grove among the Mormon settlers long 
prior to this. Mr. Cuppy was probably the 
first one born in the eastern portion of the 
county, however. 

The first death occurred at Galiand's 
Grove in 1850, it being an unnamed infant. 

The first marriage was that of John Rudd 
to Sereldue Jordan, in 1853. 

The first school taught at the expense of 
public fund was in the winter of 1857-'58, 
on section 10 of Douglas Township. The 
teacher, E. W. Holbrook, was engaged by 
William McGinnis, who, with a few otlier 
families, constituted the school patrons. 
The attendance was twenty -two pupils, who 
were housed within a rude log cabin for- 
merly used as a residence. Owing to the 
fact that School Fund Commissioner Reed 
had the school money stolen from a trunk in 
his own house, the director, William McGin- 
nis, to make good his word of honor to the 
teacher, had to pay the amount himself, 
which after a long time was refunded to him. 

The first physician was a Dr. J. VV^. John- 
ston, who lived near Harlan until about 
1873, when he died while cutting up potatoes 
in a " cave." 

The first attorney was James Butler, of 
whom many good stories are told by pio- 
neers^among others the one regarding his 
application to the court for admission to the 
legal bar. Butler was asked by his honor 
how many kinds of property there were? He 
answered three, viz.: Real, personal and 
mixed. The judge asked him what he des- 



HISTORY OF 8HELBT COUNTT. 



230 



ignated as mixed, whereupon he promptly 
replied — " Mules and jViggers." It may be 
added he was pronounced a full-fledged 
attorney! 

The first goods were sold by Solomon 
Hancock, at Galland's Grove, in 1853. 

The first Fourth of July celebration in the 
county was held in 1855 at the place of 
Nelson Ward, in what is now Douglas 
Township. The families present were 
Wards, Sunderlands, Jinkens and Stantons. 
It was at what is now styled Kibbey's Grove. 
The principal features were a ten-gallon keg 
of " Old Kye " and a flag made from strips 
of red and white underwear, hung upon the 
bushes! 

The first newspaper published in the 
county was called the J^ew Idea, printed 
at Simoda in 1858-'59. 

The first election was held in April, 1854, 
and an old pioneer remarks that " there was 
400 times the interest and excitement over 
the election of a school officer then than over 
the attempt to elect Grover Cleveland the 
second time for President of the United 
States!" 

The first religious organization effected, 
aside from the semi-organization among the 
Latter Day Saints, was that formed by the 
Methodist Episcopalians in 1858 in Douglas 
Township, by Rev. Baker, who formed a 
church of the families of William McGinnis 
and his neighbor Jinkens. 

The first orthodox sermon preached, was 
delivered by Judge Tarkington, who was 
somewhat of a Methodist preacher, and would 
usually dispense the truth of tlie gospel Sun- 
days, after having presided as judge through 
the preceding week. The date of this first 
sermon was in October, 1854, the same being 
delivered from the open doorway of Mr. 
Bowman's log house in Bowman's Grove. 
The congregation was the few neighbors who 



gathered in and were seated upon rails and 
" shakes " placed about the yard beneath the 
forest trees — " God's first temple." 

The first mill is always hailed in every new 
country with delight; they have ever gone as 
vanguards of true civilization and are of great 
necessity. At an early day — prior to 1860 — 
the pioneers of Shelby and its adjoininor 
counties were greatly burdened with the 
question, " Where would we better go to 
mill?" 

" Uncle Billy" McGinnis says he has gone 
to mill from Dubuque to Council Blufts ! 
His explanation, however, is, that he has 
been a pioneer at three different points in 
Iowa, and has always been obliged to go a 
long distance in each location to mill, the 
last time going from a point near Harlan to 
Council Bluffs. He describes one of these 
milling trips about as follows: He loaded a 
few bushels of grain upon his wagon, and 
started with his ox team for a mill in Mills 
County — about sixty miles from his home — 
but upon arriving there found they were two 
weeks behind in grinding for others, so he 
went on to " Haymaker's Mills," at the 
junction of the Nishnabotna branches. Qpon 
entering the mill (where he had frequently 
been before) the owner told him he was far 
behind already, and as he was accustomed to 
doing so, he would better go on to Pacific 
City, eight miles away, and that if he failed 
there to come back. The miller in charge 
went out and on the sly told him that the 
proprietor was cranky and did not like his 
politics — the proprietor being of the class 
who a few years thereafter were known as 
rebels. He further advised " Uncle Billy " 
to go off down in the woods and camp out 
for a day or two, allowing time enough to go 
and come to the mill already directed, and 
then come to the mill as though he had been 
to Pacific City and failed to get his grinding 



uo 



HISTOnr OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



done. He said then Haymaker would grind 
for him. This course was followed out, and 
after a couple of days be drove his load up 
in front of the mill, when the proprietor 
hailed him: "Well, Billy, I knew you 
would finally come back to me." But Mr. 
McGinnis was only too glad to get bis flour 
and go home — the trip taking nine days 
travel over a rough, hilly country, which at 
that day had no bridges. The writer asked 
him what the millman took such a course 
for, and the reply was, '■'■Inborn ciissed- 
nessf" 

Such were the obstacles to overcome in 
going to a mill at an early time, and it is 
not to be wondered at that the home flouring 
mill was highly prized by the early settlers 
of western Iowa. 

The first flour mill in Shelby County was 
built at Harlan, on the Nishnabotna River. 
It was constructed by J. "W. Chatburn, who 
was the pioneer miller of Harrison County, 
Iowa, as well. He came to Harlan in Au- 
gust, 1867, commencing at once to build his 
mill. He had the mill completed and ready 
for grinding early in January, 1808. There 
was no other mill within a great distance, 
and it was no uncommon occurrence for 
farmers to come thirty and forty miles to get 
their wheat floured at this mill. At first it 
was a common burr-stone mill, but in 1885 
the interior was refitted, all the old machin- 
ery thrown out, and the modern mill appli- 
ances, including the roller system, were 
phced instead. The present plant is a ten- 
roller mill, having a daily capacity of fifty 
barrels of flour. The power which drives 
this mill is a seven-foot head of water from 



the west branch of the Nishnabotna River, 
which atfords a sufficient power to run the 
mill throughout the entire year. The mill 
does both custom and merchant milling. In 
the early history of this mill the proprietor, 
Mr. Chatburn, paid §1.25 a bushel for wheat 
which was hauled many miles, and after 
being ground into flour was hauled to Dun- 
lap and there marketed. The owner of this 
mill has followed the business for forty 
years, and has the honor of constructing the 
first mill in Harrison County, as well as in 
Shelby County. 

The first saw-mill was hailed with nearly 
as much delight as the flour-mill, because it 
was almost useless to try to improve and 
provide suitable buildings without it. The 
first saw-mill in Shelby County was built on 
Mill Creek by W. W. Reed, at Galland's 
Grove, at a very early date, but in the east 
part of the county the first mill was built by 
Jonathan "Wyland in 1857, and was operated 
by his son "Washington, in company with 
Isaac Plum. The machinery, including the 
cast-iron water-wheel, was brought from 
Iowa City by teams. This mill was situated 
at Bowman's Grove, and was propelled by 
the waters of Nishnabotna River. It was 
the old-time sash saw, and while its up and 
down motion was somewhat slow, it sliced 
oft' many a thousand boards which went 
toward the building of the first houses in 
Simoda and Harlan. This property was in 
the hands and operated by many dift'erent 
persons, including T. J. Stanley, C. J. and T. 
J. Wyland and Elias Monroe. It was oper- 
ated until about 1877, when it had outgrown 
its usefulness and was taken down. 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



241 



CHAPTER III. 



OFFICIAL VOTE OF SHELBY COUNTY. 
PKE8IDENT. 

1856 — James Buchanan (Democratic) C2 

John C. Fremont (Republican) 19 

1860— Abraham Lincoln (Kepul)lican) 100 

Stephen A. Douglas (Democratic) C4 

1864 — Abraham Lincoln (Republican) 78 

George B. McClellan (Democratic) 80 

1868— U. S. Grant (Republican) 151 

Horatio Seymour (Democratic) 1-4 

1872— U. S. Grant (Republican) 350 

Horace Greeley (Liberal) 145 

1%76—Rmherford B. Hayes (Republican) 876 

Samuel J. Tilden (Democratic) 631 

1880— James A. Garfield (Republican) 1,499 

W.S.Hancock (Democratic) 963 

James B. Weaver (Greenback) 99 

1884— James G. Blaine (Republican) 1,802 

Grover Cleveland (Democratic) 1,745 

1888 — Benjamin Harrison (Republican) 1,714 

Grover Cleveland (Democratic) 1,762 

GOVERNOR. 

1854— Curtis Bates (Democratic) 33 

James W. Grimes (Whig) 19 

1857 — Ralph P. Lowe (Republican) (No vote shown). 

1859— A. C. Dodge (Democratic) 96 

S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) 78 

1861— S. J. Kirkwood (I{epublican) 99 

Scattering (Democratic) 36 

1863— William M. Stone (Kepublican) 80 

J. M. Tutlle (Democratic) 82 

1865— William M. Stone (I{epublican) 73 

T. H. Burton (Democratic) 74 

G. 8. Bailey 7 

1867— Samuel Merrill (Republican) 107 

Charles Mason (Democratic) 109 

1869— Samuel Merrill (Republican) 116 

George Gillaspy (Democratic) 90 

1871 — Cyrus C. Carpenter (Republican) 285 

J. O. C. Kn:ipp (Democratic) 177 

1873— Cyrus C. Carpenter (Republican) 304 

J. G. Vale (Democratic) 228 

1875— Samuel J. Kirkwood (Republican) 549 

Shephard Leffler (Democratic) 406 

J. H. Lozier (Prohibition) 3 



1877— J. H. Gear (Republican) 888 

John P. Irish (Democratic) 637 

1879— John H. Gear (Republican) 1,133 

H. H. Trlmlile (Democratic) 794 

Daniel Campbell (Greenback) 27 

1881— B. R. Sherman (Republican) 1,0.50 

L. G. Kinnie (Democratic) 695 

D. M. Ciark (Greenback) 103 

1883— B. R. Sherman (Republican) 1,593 

L. G. Kinnie (Democratic) 1,.533 

James B. Weaver (Greenback) 31 

1885 — William Larrabee (Republican) 1,544 

Charles E. Whiting (Democratic) l.Csg 

1887— William Larrabee (Republican) 1,421 

J. T. Anderson (Democratic) 1,587 

M. J. Cain (Greenback) 301 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

The first set of county officials served under 
an appointment of the Governor, the first 
regular election in the county being held 
April 3, 1853. No record seems to have 
been kept of the votes cast, but the county 
election book shows the following to have 
been elected : William Vanausdall was elected 
County Judge at the April election of 1854; 
W. H. Jordan, County Judge; Milton JVT. 
Beebe, Slier ifl"; Alexander McCord, Treasurer 
and Recorder; Adain Cuppy, Drainage Com- 
missioner; James Ward, Prosecuting Attor- 
ney; James Perry, Surveyor. 

The following is a complete list of the 
various county officials having served in 
Shelby County, as shown by the county offi- 
cial election returns, of which the subjoined 
is a true transcript: 

COUNTY JODOE. 
Election Held. 
August 7, 1854 — Mansel Wicks. (No vote given.) 

" 6,1855 — David Baughman 41 

L. G. Tubbs 31 

1857— H. A. Tarkington 47 



243 



HISTOBT OF aSELBT COUNTY. 



August, 1857 — David Baughman 56 

April, 1859— William Wyland 94 

Stephen King 74 

October, 1861— Samuel Dewell 183 

Mansel Wicks 54 

" 1863— Samuel Dewell 

1865— Nelson Ward 

1866— L. Woods 

" 1867— Nathan Lindsey 108 

P. C. Truman . 107 

November, 1868— H. C. Holcomb (Vacancy) 156 

J. B. Swain " 25 

At this date the ofSce of county judge was 
abolished, and that of county auditor created. 

COUNTY AUDITOR. 

1869— H. C. Holcomb 180 

J. B. Swain 79 

1871— John H. Louis 249 

H. C. Holcomb 207 

1878— J. H. Louis 236 

H. C. Holcomb 211 

1875— Washington Wyland 516 

David Carter 428 

1877— J. H. Louis 809 

J. W. Stevens 745 

1879— J. H. Louis 1,069 

William Asquith 856 

1881— D.F. Paul 933 

J.B.Stutsman 836 

1883— J. W. Harrod 1,637 

E. Y. Greenleaf 1,533 

1885— J. W. Harrod 1,653 

H. C. McCusky 1,548 

1887— J. W. French 1,660 

John R. Davis 1,374 

Frank S. Carroll 253 

DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS. 

The first drainage commissioner of Shelby 
County was Adam Cuppy, elected at the 
April election of 1854, and re-elected by a 
majority of eighteen over J. M. Long. This 
office was then held as follows: 
1859— C. C. Culver 381 

Nathaniel Lindsly 75 

1861— Mansel Wicks 127 

John Hasty 10 

1863— W. S. Brown. (No opposition.) 

1864— George W. Taylor 76 

D. H. Randall 75 

1867— William Hewlett, Jr., (No opposition) 101 

This office was abolished at the close of the 



last-named incumbent's term, the board of 
supervisors having such matters in charge at 
present. 

prosecuting attorney. 
Elected in 

1854— James Ward 

1856— Nelson Ward 

1856— Warren L. Brown 35 

J.H.Adams 4 

1857— M. P. Bull 65 

Nelson Ward 55 

At about this time the State judiciary was 
reconstructed and this office abolished, and 
that of district judge and district attorney 
created. 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. 

This office was created in October, 1863. 
Elected in 
1858 — David Baughman 86 

S. Dewell 8 

1859— S. Dewell 90 

William Gray 79 

1860— F. G. Clark (No opposition) 71 

1861— F. Q. Clark 141 

William A. Rabb 1 

1863 — John Young. (No vote given.) 

1865 — James M. Woods. (No vote given.) 

1867— Barney Hindsall 106 

Thomas Wood 104 

1869— P. C. Truman (No opposition) 151 

1869— P. C. Truman 178 

John Young 78 

1871— Caleb Smith 324 

B. B. Mastick 175 

D. S. Irwin 57 

1873— O. N. Buckman 312 

Caleb Smith 265 

1875 — Aaron N. Buckman 597 

John Beck 353 

1877— M. D. Bridgeman 858 

T. J. Mitynger 688 

1879— M. D. Bridgeman 1,145 

L. S. Taylor 780 

1880— W. W. Qirton (To fill vacancy) 1,279 

M. E. Downey " " 1,227 

1881— W. W. Girton 1,051 

James Canfield 688 

James Louis 130 

1883— W. K. Colburn 1,764 

W. W. Girton 1,373 

1885— C. F. Swift 1,558 

W. J. Wicks 1,579 



HISTORY OF aUELBY COUNTY. 



243 



1887— C. F. Swift 1,566 

A. N. Buckman 1,357 

Sirs. M. E. McArthur 264 

COUNTY ASSESSOR. 

1857— W. L. Brown 68 

Adam Brant 31 

As the county became settled this office 
was impracticable, and hence township as- 
sessors took the place of it. 

SURVEVOR. 

1854 — James Perry 

Abraham Rubendall. (Vacancy.) 
1855 — Abraham Rubendall. (No opposition.) 
1857— Samuel Dewel! 75 

Abraham Rubendall 34 

1859— Charles F. Forbes 85 

Samuel Dewell •. 83 

1861— Samuel Dewell (No opposition) 123 

1863 — Christian Goodyear. (No vote given.) 

1864— T. A. Haycock 73 

A. Rubendall 57 

1865 — Abraham Rubendall. (No vote recorded.) 
1867— P. C. Truman 101 

A. Rubendall 110 

1869— Charles W. Day 158 

Samuel Slates 93 

1871— W. L. Browu 190 

N.J.Sharp 152 

R. W. Robins 107 

1873— AVashington Wyland 428 

W. L. Brown 164 

1875— P. C. Truman 541 

Frank Reynolds 415 

1877— P. C. Truman 833 

A. C. Snyder 719 

1879— E. Y. Greenleaf 1,048 

Emil Flusche 844 

1881— E. Y. Greenleaf 1,050 

J. D. Walker 707 

1883— Washington Wyland 1,643 

C. F. Swift 1,509 

1885—0. F. Plum 1,560 

L. R. Hertert 1,637 

1887— C. L. Miller '. 1,294 

J. W. Miller 1,518 

J. K. P. Baker 264 

1889— J. K. P. Baker 1,797 

C. L. Miller 1,726 

COCNTY TREASURER. 

[It should be understood that the office of 
county treasurer and that of recorder of 
deeds was a combined office until 1864, when 



each became a distinct office; prior to that 
date it was known as the office of " Treasurer 
and Recorder."] 

1854 — Alexander McCord. 

Henry Runnels. (Elected in August.) 
1855— William Gedney 43 

William Hock 32 

1856— William Wyland 65 

O. P. Steele 63 

1857— William Wyland 53 

L. B. Holcomb 43 

1858 — George Benjamin 91 

Nelson Ward 82 

1861 — George Benjamin (No opposition) 130 

1863 — George Benjamin. (No abstract of votes 

cast.) 
1864— M. H. Adams 81 

William Wyland 76 

1865 — M. H. Adams. (No record of votes cast.) 
1867— M. H. Adams 113 

John H. Louis 101 

1869— M. H. Adams 169 

Nathaniel Smith 65 

1871— C. J. Wyland 343 

M. H. Adams 314 

A. M. Buckman 9 

1873— C. J. Wylaud 418 

H. S. Burke 183 

1875— Thomas McDonald 493 

William J. Davis 399 

1877— Thomas McDonald ■ 865 

J. D. Coughran 679 

1879— J. W. Harrod 973 

John L. Long 954 

1881— R. M. Pomeroy 903 

J.W.Harrod 861 

J. T. Burke 97 

1883— R. M. Pomeroy 1,574 

David Carter 1,570 

1885— W. F. Cleveland 1,753 

George D. Ross 1,486 

1887— W. F. Cleveland 1,705 

Chris. Christiansen 1,321 

M. Barton 274 

COUNTY RECORDER. 

1864— M. H. Adams 78 

William Wyland 76 

1866— John Gish. (No vote recorded.) 

1868— Benjamin L Kinsey 133 

John H. Louis 18 

1870— G. M. CoufTer. (No vote recorded.) 

1872— F. A. Holcomb 369 

F. 8. White 170 



344 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



1874— F. A. Holcomb. 517 

J. M. Beck 218 

1876— A. H. Holcomb 875 

A. M. Louis 660 

1878— J. E. Benson 715 

William Howlett 581 

1880— F. E. Benson 1,551 

J. W. White 957 

1882— B. B. Mastick 1,377 

J. P. Miller 1,136 

1884— B. B. Mastick 1,796 

Lewis Gingery 1,722 

1886— A. H. Tingle 1,738 

F.J. McNaughton 1,469 

1888— A. H. Tingle 1,778 

J. H. Kiihl 1,723 

W. K. Honeywell 117 

SHERIPP. 

1854— Miltou M. Beebe 

1855— Milton M. Beebe 38 

Alexander Ford 36 

1857 — Albert Crandall (No opposition) 116 

1858— Isaac Wyland 50 

Albert Crandall 46 

1859— Milton Stanton 88 

A. Crandall 82 

1861— Washington Wyland 137 

C. C. Culver 2 

1863 — Washington Wyland. (No vote recorded.) 

1864— Albert Crandall 82 

W.S.Brown 73 

1865 — Albert Crandall. (No vote recorded.) 

1867— *Thomas Chatburn 95 

L. D. Sunderland 86 

James M. Wood 80 

1868— Christian Goodyear 128 

Daniel S. Bowman 123 

1871— William H. Burk 201 

T. W. Chatburn 198 

C. C. Redtield 59 

1878— L. Sweat 323 

T. W. Chatburn 278 

1875— John D. Long 512 

John B. Swain 450 

1877— John D. Long 917 

Joseph H. Kuhl 623 

1870— J. W. Martin 1,0'^8 

Elijah Fish 856 

* Mr. Sunderland conteeted the election, claiming that, because 
Chatburn waw not a legal voter, that he had no right to hold the 
oHlcc, though he had received a majority of the votes cast. Chat- 
burn argued tliat a man could hold office, if elected, though he had 
not been iu the county long enough to vote himself. The case 
wae tried before County Judge Lindsay, who decided in favor of 
Snnderland, throwing the costs on Chatburn, amounting to about 
$11.00. 



1881— George E. Bennett 933 

Lewis Shorett 786 

C. W. Potter (Greenback) (To fill vacancy.) 123 

1881— H. W. Patterson (Long term) 920 

Lewis Shorett 816 

C. W. Potter 133 

1883— E. J. Trowbridge 1,635 

Thomas W. Chatburn 1,467 

188.5— George S. Rainbow 1,652 

N. W. Sherman 1,573 

1887— George S. Rainbow 1,662 

J. J. Barter 1,424 

Z. H. McCombs 217 

COUNTY COKONKR. 

1855— Franklin Rudd (No opposition) 75 

1857^Lewis Jackson (No opposition) 121 

1859 — Lewis Jackson 88 

William Hoik 84 

1860— D. H. Randall (No opposition) 61 

1861—0. E. Holcomb (No opposition) 134 

1863 — O. E. Holcomb. (No record of votes cast.) 
1864— Ellas Monroe 76 

L. D. Frost 72 

18C5— L. D. Sunderland 

1867— Martin Polland 107 

A. Roundy 105 

1868— R. M. Smith 152 

William Frantz 14 

1869— I. W. Winters 146 

Aaron Bergstresser 88 

1871 — Aaron Bergstresser (No opposition) 174 

1873— A. N. Stamm (No opposition) 361 

1874— Caleb Smith (No opposition) 258 

1875— H. Weeks (No other votes) 2 

1877— F. A. Boyer. (No opposition.) 

1878— George E. Bennett 745 

E. Jarvis 540 

1879— George Bennett 1,097 

Michael McCabe 753 

1881— J. W. Chatburn 1,063 

William Blair 695 

1883— N. H. Burks 1,587 

J. W. Chatburn 1,554 

1885— Dr. A. H. Burks 1,724 

E. Douglass 1,513 

1887— S. H. Waters 1,523 

L. D. Frost 1,285 

P. H. Hunt 269 

COUNTY CLERK. 

1854— Vinsan G. Perkins 

1855— L. B. Holcomb (V. G. Perkins suspended). . 

1855-'56— L. G. Tubbs 41 

L. B. Holcomb 80 

1857— O. E. Holcomb 44 

J.H.Adams 27 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



245 



1859— H. C. Holcomb 89 

M. P. Bull 78 

I860— H. C. Holcomb (No opposition) 143 

18G2— H. C. Holcomb 80 

John Young 30 

18G4— H. C. Holcomb 82 

B. V. Springer 75 

1866— A. M. Louis. (No vote recorded.) 

1868— H. C. Holcomb 157 

J.B.Swain 28 

1870— H. C. Holcomb. (No vote recorded.) 

1872— G. D. Ross 417 

George Gibbs 7 

1874— Georse D. Koss 352 

C. C. Redfleld 234 

J. M. Beck 218 

1876— George D. Ross 863 

A. D. Tinsly 064 

1878— H. C. Holcomb ' 054 

J. W. Harrod 642 

1880— H.- C. Holcomb 1,574 

M. J. Heiress 957 

1882— W. J. Davis 1,284 

David Carter 1,236 

1834— W. J. Davis 1,823 

J. H. Louis 1,705 

1880— Hugh Harrod 1,641 

George F. Keller 1,570 

1888— O. P. Wyland 1,870 

Hugh Harrod 1,612 

Frank Faltonson (Union Labor) 126 

In 1857, when the question of prohibiting 
the sale of intoxicating liquor within the 
State was voted upon, Shelby County cast 
fifty-four votes — four for and fifty against. 

In June, 1882, when the vote was taken to 
prohibit the sale of liquor in Iowa, by amend- 
ing the State constitution, Shelby County 
cast 1,268 votes — 517 for and 751 against 
the amendment. 

The vote for and against purchasing land 
on which to found a poor-farm was taken in 
1882, and resulted in 1,399 votes being cast 
for the measure and 666 iigainst it. 

In 1885 a vote to determine whether the 
county should erect a poor-house on the land 
already purchased, or not, was taken, which 
resulted in 1,698 for and 416 against the 
measure. 

21 



COUNTY SEAT HISTORY. 

In common with nearly every other county 
in Iowa, Shelby has had her county-seat con- 
test, which was indeed a heated strife, the 
fever of which will not all have passed away 
until the present generation, thetirst settlers, 
have all passed from the scenes of earth. 

From 1837 to 1840 this county was em- 
braced in Keokuk County. In 1851 it was 
established under its present name, being 
partly taken from the temporary county of 
Pottawattamie. It was duly organized from 
and after March 7, 1853. Its first election 
was held in April, 1853. By an order of the 
court a committee for the purpose of locating 
a seat of justice was appointed, consisting of 
L. D. Butler, John E. F. Vails and Marshall 
Turley, who decided on section 27, township 
81, range 40, west, in what is now known as 
Grove Township. The place was called 
Shelbyville and became a platted village, and 
was for a time a thriving pioneer hamlet, but 
for many years now has only been known and 
marked out to the stranger by the farmers 
residing near pointing to several stately cot- 
tonwood trees whose giant branches long ago 
saw the village sink into decay, most of the 
buildings having been removed to other parts 
of tlie county. Tlio first term of county court 
was held at tlie farm-house of Milton M. 
Beebe, July 3, 1854. At an election held in 
April, 1857, a vote was taken to determine 
whether or not a court-house should be 
erected at Shelbyville. Such vote stood three 
majority against the proposition to build, 
ninety-one being the total number of votes 
cast. Another election was soon held to de- 
cide upon the question of building a $3,000 
court-house at Shelbyville. This vote stood 
thirty-seven for and sixty-five against build- 
ing. At the April election of 1859 a vote 
was taken to determine the popular virtue of 



240 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



a petition callingfor the removal of tlie county 
seat to Harlan. There were 175 votes cast; 
a majority of nine said the county seat should 
he removed to Harlan. Then came up the 
ever-vexing question in all new counties, how 
to provide a court-house. To make this 
matter perfectly plain it will be well for the 
reader to know all the circumstances. In 
the first instance, there were three contend- 
ing factions among the people. One was that 
portion who lived in the extreme northwest 
part of the county, wlio, for the most part — 
selfish like all human kind — wanted the seat 
of justice to remain where first located, at 
Shelbyville. Then there were two other 
fighting sections in the vicinity of Harlan. 
The Rock Island & Pacific Railroad had been 
projected through Iowa, and a land grant 
given that company, the center of such grant 
being a line running near or through Har- 
lan. But designing men — men who came on 
in advance of the real survey, for the express 
purpose of laying out towns and selling off 
the lots — sought to establish the county seat 
at the now defunct village of Simoda, just 
east from the present site of Harlan. Samuel 
Dewell represented such interests, aided by 
others who held property adjoining the em- 
bryo town. Then at Harlan there was the 
other element whose financial interest con- 
victed them strongly in the belief that Har- 
lan presented the best surface of country over 
which to construct a railroad; hence they 
sought, by every means they could invent, to 
get the people to vote the building of a costly 
court-house there, hoping that 'this would 
forever settle the question of both county 
seat and railroad point, as well as give them 
great financial benefit from the sale of prop- 
erty. The three factions finally combined 
into two elements, the people in the extreme 
northwest joining with the Simoda party, 
mainly on tiie ground that every mile they 



could shorten a trip to the county seat would 
be so much gain to them. A contract was 
finally made by the county judge, April 12, 
1859, for the building of a $25,000 court- 
house, to L. W. Woodruff. The structure 
was large only in cost ! its size to be 40 x 60 
feet, and two stories high, built of brick. 
Schemers even lived that long ago ! But at 
a later meeting of those in official authority 
Judge Tarkington rescinded this visionary 
plan, to which he had previously assented, on 
the ground, as his record says, that it ^'^ would 
operate injuriously against the tax-payers of 
the county." But the real and only true 
cause for abandoning the project was the 
more vital fact that the people outside of 
Harlan would not submit to the burden of 
taxes that would thus be laid upon them. 
And so strong was this feeling that many of 
the pioneers assembled and vowed they would 
not submit, but would die at the breech of 
their gun in resisting such imposition. 
Usually truth and justice wield a winning 
sword, hence it was that Judge Tarkington 
(who of himself was a clever man of good 
traits) and his scheming party saw fit to 
withdraw so bad and bold an attempt to 
bankrupt the new county. 

In the early part of May, 1859, John Mc- 
intosh and forty-seven others petitioned the 
court to remove the county seat to Simoda, 
but this measure soon "flashed in the pan !" 
However, it was the occasion of much bad 
blood, resulting in what was known as the 
" Simoda war." It seems that upon the ad- 
journment of the last term of court at Shelby- 
ville, Judge Tarkington was asked by the 
acting clerk, Samuel Dewell, what he should 
do with the books and records of the county 
in his charge. He replied, "Do as you like 
with them !"' His interests and choice being 
for the county seat to be removed to Simoda, 
very naturally he took them to his home at 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



247 



that point, and insisted on their being kejyt 
there. So, between tlie two factions pulling 
and hauling, the judge was kept in a constant 
state of turmoil ! However, he was quite a 
court-house builder (?), and consequently in 
June of 1859 he contracted with Henry Run- 
nels to erect a $10,000 court-house, to be 
35x45 feet, the same to be finished by Au- 
gust, 1800, and to be paid for in warrants, at 
par. This was to be erected on block 41, in 
the village of Harlan. In December of the 
same eventful year (1859) this scheme was 
also given up as a bad job! The following 
summer, however, a contract was awarded to 
build a court-house of fair size, and to cost 
$2,500, which was carried nearly to comple- 
tion, and by some accident, arising from 
heating a glue-pot, the building was destroyed 
by fire, at the loss of the contractors. Thus 
it will be seen Shelby County had a continual 
round of dire calamity and discord in the 
matter of providing herself with a " temple 
of justice." 

The county judge then entered into agree- 
ment with J. M. Long and Adam Ault, by 
which they were to receive $5,000 for a 
building then in course of erection and known 
as the "store building," which was situated 
north from the place where the "City Hotel" 
now stands. It was a two-story frame house 
with bricked walls, and was 20 x 40 feet. It 
jvas accordingly finished up for court-house 
purposes, and was used for such until about 
1876, when the present court-house was com- 
pleted, the same having been contracted for 
witli Halstead & Pal freeman, at $4,250. 
It should, however, here be recorded that a 
movement was placed on foot in 1873-'74, to 
build a court-building to cost not less than 
$30,000 or more than $40,000. The vote on 
this measure stood 392 against and 192 for. 
After this failure the board of supervisors 
took the matter into their own hands and 



built the present building, having the leoral 
right, without a vote of the people, to expend 
$5,000 for such purpose. It may indeed be 
considered a wise thing that the early meas- 
ures of erecting large, costly court-houses 
was always presided over and defeated by 
better judgment, as the people were in no 
wise ready to stand such burdens. But with 
the present advancement, culture, develop- 
ment and wealth of Shelby County, she can 
no longer well afford to have her officers 
housed in such small, dingy quarters as they 
are at present. Shelby County needs a $40,- 
000 court-house, and is now able to pay for 
the same! notwithstanding her warrants at 
one time were only worth twenty-five cents 
on a dollar, and cost the pioneer very dear at 
that! 

There were many amusing and thrilling 
incidents connected with the removal and 
final location of the county seat ; however, no 
such bad blood was ever seen as in many 
other Iowa counties. Among such incidents 
may be mentioned the determined spirit of 
persistency manifested upon the part of Will- 
iam Wyland, who was then treasurer and re- 
corder of the county. He was ordered by 
Judge Tarkington (county judge) to return 
the records in his possession to the county 
seat, then designated as Shelbyville. Mr. 
Wyland paid no attention to the order of the 
court. The judge then declared the oflices 
held by said Wyland to be vacant, and again 
ordered him to appear before him with such 
otticial records as belonged to the county; 
but he again refused to respond to the court's 
order, whereupon the judge issued a ^^Tit of 
replevin for said books of record. The sheriff 
brought Mr. Wyland, together with his books, 
before the outraged judge! Wyland claimed 
the court had no right to demand the surren- 
der of such books, but the court held con- 
trary. 



218 



HI8T0RY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



During the "Simoda war," as well as in 
nearly all other wars, the people became ex- 
cited and watchful — even were suspicious of 
each other's every move and action. To illus- 
trate better this state of aflairs, it may be 
well to repeat an incident related by one of 
Shelby County's aged pioneers, whose hair 
has been made snowy by the three decades of 
pioneer life — "William ("Bill") McGinnes, 
whose farm is on section 9 of Harlan Town- 
ship. He says that while County Judge 
Tarkington was holding court at Harlan 
(during the county-seat trouble), that he, 
together with a few of his neighbors from 
Simoda, proceeded to the court room to de- 



mand their pay for the scalps of some wild 
animals upon which the county had offered a 
bounty. On their way they stopped and cut 
some elder sticks for walking-canes, and when 
seen coming up the road toward the court- 
house, the guard, who had been set out to 
protect (!) and guard his "honor" and the 
county books against any attempted raid by 
the Simoda faction, imagined they were 
armed with guns, and so reported to the 
judge, who for a time seemed quite troubled 
and alarmed, but when he saw his mistake, 
laughed it oft as a huge joke, and at once 
allowed " Uncle Bill " pay for the scalps he 
produced. 




HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



249 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE GREAT CIVIL WAR. 



IF there is any one thing more than another 
of which tlie people of the northern States 
have reason to be proud, it is the bright rec- 
ord they made during the dark and bloody 
days of the Kebellion. When this great civil 
war was forced upon the country the people 
were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their 
ways, doing whatever their hand found to do 
— making farms, cultivating those already 
improved, erecting homes, founding cities 
and towns, building shops and factories — in 
short, the country was alive with industry 
and buoyant with hopes of the future. While 
they were immediately surrpunded with 
peace and tranquillity, they paid but little 
attention to the rumored plots and plans of 
those who grew rich from the sweat and toil, 
blood and flesh of others; aye, even trafficking 
in their own offspring. But, like a fierce 
thunder-storm, came the world's greatest 
war. The last words of Lincoln's proclama- 
tion calling for men hardly ceased to vibrate 
along the telegraphic wires before the quota 
was full — 75,000 men only too ready to 
defend the Union of States! 

Patriotism thrilled and pulsated through 
every heart — the farm, the shop, the office, 
the store, the factory, the bar, the pulpit — 
aye, even college and school-room offered 
their best men, their lives and fortunes, in 
defense of the unity and honor of their gov- 
ernment and its flag. Party lines were for 
the time lost sight of — all with one accord 
rushed to the rescue, repeating in spirit tlie 
oath of America's soldier-statesman, "By the 



Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be 
preserved." 

At the time Fort Sumter was fired upon 
by rebel arms Shelby County had only a 
population of about 800 people, men, women 
and children, all poor people who had come 
hither to build homes for themselves in this 
then wild, undeveloped country, far from rail- 
roads and market places. Yet they were not 
80 far that they did not hear and heed the 
call for troops. Out of a population aver- 
aging during the war about 300 men, she 
sent nearly fifty to the service. 

Local history is a record of events, and no 
better authority for such events can possibly 
be obtained than those to be found in public 
records and documents furnished at the time 
by county, State and national officials. Es- 
pecially is this true of war records. 

In preparing a list of those who served as 
soldiers from Shelby County during the Re- 
bellion, all possible caution has been exer- 
cised to publish a complete list; but it should 
be understood that the local historian has no 
safer guide to aid him in such long-ago data 
than the Adjutant-General's reports for Iowa, 
which contain but few errors. The follow^ 
ing is extracted from such reports: 

The Fouktk Infantkv, Companv " B." — 
Benjamin T. Lakin, lliram Simmons, veteran. 
William Longcor, Daniel White, James E. 
Reed (died), Elias Monroe, John E. Knott, 
James Harwell, William Cuppy (died). 

The Thirteenth Ineantuy (Unasskinkd). 
—Charles E. Butterworth, William II. Buck- 



250 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



holder, Albert Crandall, Alfred Jackson, 
Samuel W. Kemp, Milton Lirich, William 
Frantz, veteran. 

The Fifteenth Infantry, Company " H." 
— Henry Frantz. 

The Twenty-third Infantry, Company 
" I." — Jesse Casteel, Merriman Carlton, 
David Duckett, Martin Obrecht, William A. 
Rigg, Milton H. Stanton, Ed. A. Sweeney, 
Harvey Inglesbee, H. N. Baughman, Will- 
iam Frantz, George Castell. 

The Twenty-ninth Infantry, Company 
" C." — George W. Hedge, First Lieutenant, 



Company "C;" Charles W. Oden, Quarter- 
master; David Komig, William B. Tarkington. 

The Ninth Cavalry, Company " M." — 
Harvey Ingelsbe, John Denell, J. N. Wy- 
land, James G. Kemp, Peter H. Longcor, 
Joseph A. Bunnell, Daniel S. Bowman, 
Samuel Cammel, John Fritz, Luther Ingelsbe, 
Robertson Kairns, James Rhodes, Warren 
Wicks, Daniel Watesbury, Michael Wliite. 

The Fourth Cavalry, Company " L." — 
I. L. Leoney (died). 

Fourth Cavalry. — Charles C. Rice, Colo 
nel; Nicholas White. 




^m 



niHTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



251 



CHAPTER V. 



THE NEWSPAPER PRESS. 



ic^HE local press is justly considered as 
2?lW among the most valuable institutions of 
every city, town, village and county. 
Every community regards its particular paper 
as of peculiar importance, and this not merely 
on account of the fact already mentioned, but 
because these local newspapers are the safe re- 
positories wherein are stored the facts and 
events, the deeds and the sayings, the under- 
takings and achievements, that go to make 
up final history. One by one these seem- 
ingly trivial matters are placed in type; one 
by one these papers are issued and read ; one 
by one these papers are gathered together 
and bound into tiles, and then another 
volume of real and true local history is laid 
away in an almost imperishable state. 

The people of each community naturally 
have a pride in their own home paper. The 
local press, as a rule nowadays, goes on 
ahead, coupled with the railway, as vanguard 
to civilization and refinement. They nearly 
always reflect the true character of a people 
by whom they are read, and their advertise- 
ments are indices to the growth and financial 
prosperity of a town or city. Judging from 
this standard, Shelby County has ever had 
wide-awake, enterprising business men. 

The first newspaper isfued in Shell)y 
County was the New Idea, started by Sam- 
uel Dewell, at the now defunct village of 
Simoda. Its first issue was dated soon after 
that place was platted in 1858, and was later 
known as the Gazette, but, like the embryo 
town, soon "died in the shell," when another 



journal representing the interests of Simoda 
sprang into existence. This was known as 
the Shelby County Reporter. Volume 1., 
No. 1, of this pioneer sheet was dated 
March 5, 1859. It was Democratic in its 
politics, and was a live local paper, advocating 
the removal of the county seat to Simoda 
from Shelbyville. It was edited by Major 
P. Bull. Its size and form was that of a 
five-column folio. It carried on a personal 
and bitter warfare against Judge Tarkington 
and the people of Harlan, indulging in much 
slang and personal abuse. Its second issue 
had the following in bold head-lines; *' Our 
County a Kingdom Where a Tyrant Doth 
Rule." Its opponent was the Shelby 
County Cowrie/", published at Harlan. When 
the county-seat " Simoda war " had ended 
both journals sank into oblivion, and were 
both hard to bring back by the historian. 

The Shelby County Courier first greeted 
its patrons January 30, 1859. It was a 
creditable looking paper, several copies of 
which are now highly prized by some of the 
old settlers as mementoes of the long ago. 
In size and form it was a six-column ^folio, 
and was independent in its politics. Its 
editor and proprietor was J. B. Besack, who 
prior to this had been editor of the Jasper 
County Express. It was an even match for 
Major Bull, of the Reporter of Simoda, the 
rival town, and frequently referred to its 
editor's writings as " Bull Bellovvings," 
"Kicked by a mad hull," etc., while in 
answer the editor of the Reporter styled him 



253 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



as " Bees wax drippings," — his name being 
Besack. In it was publisiied an account of 
the first agricnltnral society, with a long 
premium list; the fair, however, never mate- 
rialized! Its career, like the Simoda paper, 
found the end of its mission with the county- 
seat settlement — both living long enough to 
say very many mean things of each other. 

The Herald was started December 18, 
1874, by Campbell & Musgrave. It was a 
seven-column folio, and Republican in poli- 
tics. It only ran a few weeks until a change 
was made, which has been going on ever 
since, until its identity was absorbed in what 
is now the Repnhlican. Campbell dropped 
out and Mr. Musgrove operated alone until 
May 6, 1875, when he took in as a partner 
F. H. Mcintosh, who Musgrave, in intro- 
ducing him to his old patrons, said through 
his columns was a man of fine culture, an 
excellent writer, and with all of an untar- 
nished character. However, within a few 
months the young journalist (Mcintosh) 
stole $30 from his fellow neighbor, H. C. 



Pratt Bros., which continued untii July 12, 
1883, when they sold to W. W. Girton, who 
soon took W. M. Oungst as a partner. They 
had both been connected with the Harlan 
Huh, which was merged into the Herald, 
and its name changed to the Shelby County 
Repuhlican — its present name. This change 
was effected in July, 1886, when Girton sold 
to C. W. Ilhinesmith. Perhaps no paper in 
Iowa has had more changes than this plant, 
considering its age. 

The Shelby County Record was foundei 
by E. H. Eaton in July, 1870. It went 
through several changes in proprietorship. 
AVoods & Robins conducted it awhile, then 
Robins sold to Woods, who was connected 
with it when it was merged, together with 
the Harlan Hub, into the Shelby County 
Republican in 1875. 

The Harlan Hub was established De- 
cember 9, 1880. It was a Republican paper 
which advocated tlie prohibitory constitu- 
tional amendment. Its founder was AV. M. 
Oungst, who after a year took W. W. Girton 



Holcomb, and " skipped the town," going to " in as equal partner. The plant was merged 



Council Bluffs and from there went to 
Texas. 

The next change on the paper was in Sep- 
tember, 1875. After having been closed 
about a month, G. D. Ross took charge of 
the plant. He changed the motto of the 
journal from " Independent in all things — 
neutral in nothing," to "Republican — -always 
for t% right." Tiie 17th of July, 1879, 
Robert W. Robins became proprietor of the 
paper, with John L. Long as a silent partner. 
January 22, 1880, a half interest was sold to 
C. R. Pratt, of Connecticut, when the name 
of the firm became "The Herald Printing 
Company." In November of that year C. 
R. Pratt sold to E. R. Purmelee. January 
5, 1882, S. K. Pratt purchased a half inter- 
est from Parinelee, when the firm was styled 



into the Herald in July, 1883. 

Under all these manifold changes the 
paper has been a live local journal, and well 
supported by the people of Shelby County. 

The Harlan Tribune (Democratic) was 
first launched on tiie sea of journalism June 
11, 1879, by A. D. Tinsley and U. S. Brown. 
It was started as an eight-column folio, and 
has always adhered to the true democratic 
principles and been the leading official organ 
of ShelbyCounty. Tinsley purchased Brown's 
interest February 18, 1880, and operated it 
until May 10, 1882, then sold to E. T. Best, 
of the Chariton (la.) Leader. December 
19, 1883, another change was effected, by 
which Best sold to G. W. CuUison and J. 
D. Walker; tliey continued as partners until 
February 27, 1884:, wlien Cullison sold his 



UISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



353 



share to Walker, who conducted the paper 
alone until January 1, 1885, then sold to the 
present proprietor, W. C. Campbell, who 
has made radical changes in the plant, both 
as to mechanical and general newspaper 
tone. July 11, 1888, it was enlarged to a 
nine-column folio, and a Campbell cylinder 
press was put in at the same time, which 
gave the paper one of the best outfits owned 
by any printing establishment in this sec- 
tion of Iowa. 

The Industrial American., the latest news- 
paper publication in Shelby County, was 
established July 16, 1887, by A. T. and M. 
B. Cox. It is a six-column quarto, one side 
home print and the other from the Sioux City 
Newspaper Union. In April, 1888, H. C. 
Hanson bought M. B. Cox out — the firm 
name now being Cox & Hanson. This jour- 
nal is an advocate of the Union Labor party, 
and has a large circulation among the various 
county farmers' alliances. As an advertising 
medium for the merchants and professional 
men it has no superior. The political stand- 
ard which it so faithfully upholds is constantly 
growing in popular favor. 

The Shelhij JVews, published at Shelby, is 
a good local journal, fully up to the times 
and always found working in a correct man- 
ner for the village of Shelby and its surround- 
ing country. It was founded in 1877, its 
first issue being dated March 22 of that year. 
Its founder was El. L. Heath, who owned and 
conducted it until April 8, 1880, when it 



became the property of John Pomeroy, who 
is the present pi-oprietor. In politics it is a 
consistent advocate of Republican principles. 
It is of a seven-column folio form and printed 
by a Washington hand-press. At this date 
one-half of the printed matter is run by the 
Western Newspaper Union of Des Moines, 
Iowa. The local department is replete with 
the latest, spiciest news items, giving its 
patrons all the comings and goings of their 
town and county. 

The Defiance Argus, one of the fixtures of 
Shelby County newspaper publications, was 
founded at Defiance, Iowa, In 1882, the first 
issue being printed on June 10 of that 
year — the same season the railroad was being 
constructed through the place. Its present 
proprietor, F. Bangs, was its founder and has 
constantly worked for the best interests of 
the territory in which it circulates. The 
oflSce met with a misfortune in 1883, by 
which all was lost in a fire; but it came forth 
from the ashes brighter and better than ever. 
It was at first a five-column quarto in size 
and form, but at present is a seven-column 
folio. Its local department is well filled each 
week with every local happening. Politically 
the Journal stands independent, being a news 
chronicler, rather than an assumed party 
organ. It may here be stated that Mr. Bangs 
has not " amassed a great fortune," but by 
the aid of his good wife and daughter, who 
use both brain and muscle on the A7'gus, 
manages to pay his bills and live. 



354 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER VI. 



VARIOUS THINGS. 



POPULATION IN 1885 BV TOWNSHIPS. 



Total. 

Cass 874., 

Clay 1,024., 

Douglas 843., 

Fairview 800., 

Greeley 702 . 

Grove 788.. 

Harlan 



Foreign Bom. 

144 

380 

101 

250 

79 

62 



.2,564 317 



Jackson 834 350 

Jefferson 846 95 

Lincoln 854 140 

Monroe 1,102 459 

Polk 584 89 

Shelby 1,383 344 

Union 1,096 175 

Washington 764 149 

Westphalia 1,198 491 



Total 16,306 3,501 

Total, 1854, 826; 1860, 810; 1870, 3,540; 1880, 13,696. 

VALUATION OF PEOPEBTT. 

In 1854 the total v.iluation, per assessment 
of all the taxable property, both real and per- 
sonal, was only about $20,000. The growth 
has been gradual and good until in 1887 it 
is found that the assessed valuation was 
$4,163,266. 

There were at this date 36,612 head of 
cattle, valued at $243,337; 11,268 head of 
horses, valued at $282,828; 735 mules, valued 
at $20,919; and 1,022 sheep, valued at $1,022. 

It may here be added that in 1888 the dog 
tax amounted to $998. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETi'. 

The first county fair was a fair one, and 
was the source of much amusement as well 
as gratification to the farming and industrial 



classes of Shelby County. It was held in the 
beautiful autumn time of 1870. The display 
of vegetables, grains, etc., was indeed good, 
considering the short notice given, together 
with the other important fact that no agri- 
cultural society had been formed at that 
time. This pioneer fair was held in and 
near the old brick school-house which stood 
where now stands the Methodist church in 
Harlan. One of the principal and laughable 
attractions there seen were two babies — 
Willie, son of A. N. Buckman, and Julia, 
daughter of J. C. Buckman. 

Another novel feature was the races, which 
consisted of various kinds, including a free- 
for-all trotting race, which brought Thomas 
Castile cantering into the ring with his 
trotters attached to a sulky plow, from which 
the gang of plows had been detached. Next 
came a man with his team attached to a big 
farm wagon; the third entry being David 
Wells with his trotting colt, which he led. 
Everything being ready, the word Go! was 
pronounced with no uncertain sound, when 
pell mell they went. After gaining the first 
quarter all broke into a dead run, coming in 
on the homestretch midst great excitement 
and applause. There seemed to be a vast 
attendance of dogs who saw the rumpus, 
when they, too, took a hand by commencing 
to bark and growl, and finally all became 
enraged and engaged in a fearful fight. The 
exact number of people present is now un- 
known, but all old settlers seem to agree in 
the opinion that there were Jiftt/ dogs present/ 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



255 



Notwithstanding the dog fight the farmer's 
team, with the big hiinber wagon, came out 
ahead, and took the purse of $3! The race- 
track was just leveled off by good Mother 
Nature, except tliat a mowing machine had 
been once or twice around, cutting its clean 
swathe of grass. 

The following year the Shelby County 
Agricultural Society was formed upon the 
stock company plan. Thirty enterprising 
men formed the society. The shares were 
$5.00 each, and every share represented a 
vote to its owner; 116 shares, amounting to 
$580, were sold. The first officers were — 
"William Wyland, President; A. N. Buck- 
man, Secretary; J. W. Davis, Treasurer. 
The body was regularly incorporated, and 
has since operated in a fairly successful man- 
ner, each season holding its exhibits. In 
June, 1872, James Long sold the society 
sixty-five acres of land for $1,100, upon 
which to establish fair grounds and trotting 
park. The first annual exhibition was held 
in the fall of 1872. In 1878 the society 
seemed to be in good financial standing, and 
80 great was the faith of G. D. Ross, who 
was at that time editing the local paper of 
Harlan, that he agreed and was granted the 
right to do all necessary printing for that 
year, providing the society would give him 
all over the amount of the previous year's 
receipts, which was $478. 

In 1879 the former grounds not being 
suitable were sold for $350, and forty acres 
purchased northeast from the business por- 
tion of Harlan, for which $1,600 was paid. 
All needed improvements, such as floral 
hall, stock sheds, etc., were added to the 
newly bought premises, also a half-mile race- 
track made for the use of horsemen. In 
1885 the receipts were $1,216, and in 1886 
reached nearly $1,600. 

The officers elected for 1889 were: J. H. 



Louis, President; George Paup, Vice-Presi- 
dent; M. K. Campbell, Treasurer; L. Gin- 
gery, Secretary. At the present date (1888) 
the society are owing about $1,600, but are 
in possession of a fine property and in good 
working order. 

MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

The Shelby County Medical Society was 
organized in June, 1887. 

The charter members were: J. C. Dunlavy, 
E. A. Cobb, E. J. Smith, J. H. Waite, E. B. 
Moore, W. T. Branson, W. B. Cotton, A. E. 
Gregg, N. H. Burks (deceased), S. H. "Walters, 
N. J. Jones, J. Smiley, C. Tiske. 

The first officers were: E. A. Cobb, Presi- 
dent; N. J. Jones, Vice-President: J. C. 
Dunlavy, Secretary; E. J. Smith, Treasurer. 

The society is in good working order; it is 
recognized by the State and National socie- 
ties, with all of which it is working in 
unison. 

SCHOOL POPULATION. 



Graded 
Township. Schools. 

Jefferson 3 . . - 

Greeley 

Union 3 . . . 

Grove 

Westphalia 2 .. 

Washington 2 . . , 

Douglas 

Polk 

Jackson 



Ungraded School 

Schools. Population of 1888. 

. .. 9 350 

... 9 211 

... 8 375 

... 9 260 

... 6 382 

... 8 319 

. .. 10 359 

. .. 9 207 

. .. 9 351 



Harlan lOdepts.... 8. 

Lincoln 9. 

Cass 2 7. 

Shelby 4 8. 

Fairview 9. 

Monroe 9 

Clay 9. 



835 
308 
246 
430 
282 
346 
321 



Totals 25 136 5,588 

THE MARRIAGE RECORD. 

The first marriage certificate issued in 
Shelby County was granted to John Budd 
to marry Sereldue Jordan. It is dated April 
18, 1853, and the ceremony was performed 



256 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



bj County Judge Vanausdall. The following 

gives the number of marriages for each year 

since the time the connty was organized until 

the present — 1888: 

1853 4 

1854 3 

1855 •• 4 

1856 5 

1857 7 

1858 13 

1859 5 

1860 13 

1861 8 

1862 14 

1863 4 

1864 4 

1865 6 

1866 13 

1867 14 

1868 32 

1869 24 

1870 24 

1871 36 

1873 45 

1873 37 

1874 41 

1875 55 

1876 68 

1877 63 

1878 74 

1879 86 

1880 106 

1881 143 

1882 129 

1883 170 

1884 200 

1885 168 

1886 120 

1887 210 

Total 1,775 

FAKMEKS' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY. 

This institution found its origin in the 
"Advance Alliance" of Polk Township, in 
1886, through the eflforts of their secretary, 
H. C. Hanson, and T. B. Olson, their presi- 
dent. It was, liowever, reorganized at Har- 
lan, February 12, 1887, by the following in- 
corporators: A. N. Bucknian, James M. 
Pratt, H. B. Kees, Jacob Anderson, M. Lar- 
son and L. D. Sunderland. The first officers 



under the new organization were: A. C. 
Buckman, President; H. C. Hanson, Secre- 
tary. The present officials are: M. Larson, 
President; L. D. Sunderland, Vice-Presi- 
dent; A. N. Buckman, Secretary, and J. K. 
Barber, Treasurer. The concern is managed 
and directed by nine trustees or directors, 
who at present are as follows: H. B. Kees, 
L. D. Sunderland, Jacob Anderson, J. M. 
Pratt, Henry Niemann, W. H. Townson, Ole 
P. Erickson, Fred Grobraiaer, P. B. Allen. 

The prime object of this company is to 
furnish a good but inexpensive fire insurance 
on farm property — nothing taken within 
towns or villages. It is a purely co-operative 
company, and is doing a good, safe business. 

THE COUNTY POOE-FAEM. 

In 1882 the question of the county pur- 
chasing land and improving the same for a 
permanent poor-farm, was submitted to the 
tax-payers of Shelby County. The vote stood 
1,399 for and 666 against. The measure 
having been carried by a good majority, the 
board of supervisors at once bought 120 
acres of land on section 36 of Lincoln Town- 
ship, paying about $5,000 for the same. In 
1886 they let the contract for a poor-house, 
which, together with the necessary out- 
buildings, barns, etc., cost the county in 
round numbers about $6,000. The farm is 
well improved, and affords the best possible 
means for taking proper care of the unfor- 
tunate and helpless people who claim Shelby 
County as their home. 

THE COUNTY JAIL. 

March 2, 1880, the board of supervisors 
awarded the contract for building a fine brick 
jail and sheriff's residence combined in one 
structure. It is a fine two-story building, 
built of solid brick masonry. The contract 
for the building proper was let to J. O. 
Wickersham and II. Knowles, for $4,600. 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



257 



The iron work, including jail cells, was 
awarded to P. J. Pauley Bros, for $375, 
making a total outlay of $4,975. Before the 
construction of this building the county was 
put to great trouble, as well as useless ex- 
pense, in taking care of their prisoners, as 
they were compelled to lodge such characters 
in the jails of neighboring counties. 

CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 

This is a branch of the Galland's Grove 
Conference, and was organized October 21, 
1859, by Elder E. C. Briggs and Elder Will- 
iam Blair. The names of the members com- 
prising the organization were as follows: 
William Vanausdall, Uriah Koundy, Reua 
Roundy, John A. Mcintosh, Melinda Mcin- 
tosh, Alexander McCord, Sybil McCord, 
Elizabeth J. Williamson, Alexander Hunt, 
MaryHunt, Lewis Jackson, Elizabeth Thomas 
and Alexander Black. The first presiding 
elder was William Vanausdall, and was suc- 
ceeded as follows: John B. Hunt, Benjamin 
Crandall, Robert Ford, Ingaert Hansen, Ralph 
Jenkins, Absalom Huykendall, Eli Clothier, 
Milton Lynch, John A. Mcintosh, John 
Hawley and Alfred Jackson. 

In 1888 the membership was 276. 

In 1880 the society commenced the erec- 
tion of a neat edifice, which was finished in 
1881, at a cost of $1,300. At first their 
services were held at private houses, later in 
a log school-house which was accidentally 
burned, when they built a log church which 
served until the new church was built. 

When the timber land and choice locations 
in and about Galland's Grove were taken up, 
the next settlers had to go to the next best 
locations and select lands. Such settlement 
was made at Bowman's Grove, in the center 
of the county, and soon the county-seat mat- 
ter, with talk of having it removed from 
Shelbyville to Harlan or Simoda, caused a 



good many to flock to these places and secure 
farms and town-site property. In 1860, 
according to the United States census reports, 
Shelby County contained a population of 820 
people, about equally divided between the 
two townships then organized — "Galland's 
Grove" and "Round." Up to this date five 
villages had been platted, viz.: Shelbyville, 
Itan, Manteno, Simoda and Harlan. The 
biographical sketches contained elsewhere in 
this volume give much of value concerning 
the settlement, manners, customs, etc., of this 
county, and may be considered reliable, given 
as it has been in nearly every case by pioneers 
or their children. Besides, much of Shelby 
County's early history will be found in proper 
place under the heading of "Towns and Vil- 
lages." 

ELKHOEN (post-office AND COLLEGE). 

Elkhorn postoffice is situated in the north- 
ern part of Clay Township. It was estab- 
lished about 1882. It is in the midst of 
the heavy Danish settlement of Audubon, 
Shelby and Cass counties, and about three 
miles southeast of Kimballton. January 1, 
1889, there was a general store conducted 
by George James; a blacksmith named 
Niels Hepenson; Martin Learson, harness- 
maker; John Darfiler and Jacob Hansen, 
carpenters. 

The principal feature of this point is the 
fact that it is the location of the Danish 
Lutheran Evangelical College. This institu- 
tion of learning was founded by the influences 
of the church in 1878, when a building was 
erected at a cost of $2,000, to which was soon 
added another department, costing $1,500. 
This structure was all destroyed by fire April 
21, 1880, the loss being only $1,000, as it 
had been insured. New buildings were at 
once constructed. The main building is 
26x94 feet, two and one-half stories high. 



258 



HISTORY OF SUBLET COUNTY. 



The present value of the college property 
amounts to about $6,000. 

The highest number of pupils at any one 
time has been fifty, the present member- 
ship being forty-four, each of whom pay 
$6 per month tuition and $10 per month 
for board. Among the branches taught are 
general history, church history. United States 
history, history of Denmark, Bible studies, 
physics, Danish composition, English, com- 
position and grammar, book-keeping, and 
Greek as a special branch for those who may 
desire it. Also tlie ordinar}' branches, such 
as geography, arithmetic, etc. 

The object and aim of this college is to 
give the Danish people a chance to master 
both their own and the English tongue, and 
to gain a general secular as well as religious 
education, under the influence of the Danish 
Lutheran Church. 

The presidents have been as follows: Rev. 
O. Kirreberg, from 1878 to 1880; Rev. H. 
J. Pederson, from 1880 to 1882; Rev. Kris- 
tian Anker, at present. 

Four teachers are now employed. Two 
hours each day are spent in teaching the Eng- 
lish branches. The total number of pupils 
who have from time to time attended here is 
600. 

Near the college building stands a neat 
and tasty edifice, which was erected in 1882, 
at a cost of $3,000; it is 32x70 feet. The 
church was organized in 1872, and there are 
now 160 heads of families belonging to the 
congregation. The pastors are the same as 
before named as presidents of the school. 

Branches from this church are located at 
Bowman Grove, Shelby County, with a mem- 
bership of fifty, and also one at Oakhill, 
Audubon County, of forty members. Rev. 
Kristian Anker has charge of these two 
branches, as well as the work at Elkhorn. 
This church and educational institution is 



one of great moral and educational value to 
the Danish people of these western Iowa 
counties. 

THEN AND NOW. 

Great has been the change since Abraham 
Gallaud first built log cabin No. 1, in what 
is known, now, as Grove Township, of 
Shelby County, and the present time — 1888. 
Then all was just as nature had left it. The 
deer and elk roamed at will; the wolves made 
the wintry night hideous by a noise which 
disturbed no one of a civilized type. The 
same fertile valleys, now productive of im- 
mense corn crops, were the hunting and 
camping grounds of the red man, who was 
indeed " monarch of all he surveyed." 

The change has been gradual, but positive. 
At first there were a few " Mormons," who 
sought here, amid the native groves, a place 
of refuge, with the liberty of worshiping as 
they pleased. The nearest market place at 
which household supplies could be procured 
was Council Bluffs, and the real home com- 
forts were very few. With no saw-mills, the 
first buildings were of necessity very rough 
and unattractive, yet served the purpose until 
better could be afforded. Step by step ad- 
vancement was made until the Rock Island 
and Northwestern railroads were constructed 
across the State to the Missouri River, cen- 
tering at Council Bluffs; from this time on 
many of the obstacles were removed and life 
went somewhat easier, as towns rapidly 
sprang up, affording much needed in improv- 
ing the half developed farms. 

To-day things have changed; tlie whole 
county is well cultivated and developed, with 
towns and postofRces on every hand. In 
1882 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad Company constructed its Council 
Bluffs line through the county, traversing 
the northwestern part. Upon this line there 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



259 



are four good-sized stations — Defiance, Earl- 
ing, Panama and Portsmouth. The Kirkmaii 
branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road was built through the northeastern part 
of the county in 1881, to a point seven miles 
north and east of Harlan, and the village of 
Kirkinan established. This place, with Irwin 
in the northeastern township of the county, 
gives excellent trading places and markets 
for all that section of country. The present 
towns and postoffices are as follows: 

Harlan, with a population of 2,000 

Shelby, " " " 600 

Defiance, " " " 500 

Irwin, " " " 300 

Barling, " " " 460 

Panama, " " " 250 

Portsmouth, " " "... 250 

Westphalia, " " " 60 

Kirkman, " " " 250 

Corley (a siding station) 50 

Manteno (postoffice and store) 

Botna 20 

Elkhorn (postoffice in southeastern part of county). 

According to the State census reports of 
1885, Shelby County, June 1 of that year, 
had a population of 16,306, which in 1888 
had increased to nearly 18,000, at which time 
there were 3,291 dwellings. 

DEFUNCT VILLAGES. 

ITAN. 

Notwithstanding the county plat books do 
not show this, one of Shelby County's first 
villages, nevertheless it was staked out by 
Mansel "Wicks and a man named Dodge. It 
took its singular name from a town of the 
same name in South America, where Wicks, 
one of the proprietors of this embryo village, 
was cast away by a shipwreck, about 1852. 
The location of this place was near L. D. 
Sunderland's home, on section 4, township 
79, range 38^ in what is now Harlan Town- 
ship. A stock of goods was put in there by 
Jacob Majors. This place was also started 
with the view of getting the county seat 



located there, it being near the center of the 
county; and this, like several other center- 
ing locations, fell into a dreamless sleep and 
soon expired! 

SHKLBYVILLE. 

This is the oldest village of the county. It 
was regularly platted October 30, 1854, and 
was the point designated by the committee, 
who located the county seat in 1853-'54, as 
the place for the seat of justice. Its location 
was section 27, township 81, range 40, west, 
and in what is now Grove Township. Quite 
a prosperous village sprang into existence 
there, but upon the removal of the county 
seat to Harlan, the vitality of Shelbyville 
was soon sapped and the numerous residences 
and business houses erected there were torn 
down or removed to Harlan and other points. 
For many years there has been no trace of a 
village there. In reality it had an existence 
from 1854 to 1860, but yet it is replete with 
pioneer incidents now almost lost in the 
minds of the few remaining old settlers, and 
scarcely ever spoken of by the younger gen- 
eration. 

SIMODA. 

This was a village platted a mile and a 
half east of Harlan, in September, 1857, by 
County Surveyor Samuel Dewell, on land 
owned by Milton Heath and wife. It was 
situated on the east half of the southeast 
quarter of section 8, and the west half of the 
southwest quarter of section 9, township 79, 
range 38, west. Its name originated from a 
character named Som-i-daw, taken from a 
novel which one of the first settlers of Simoda 
was reading at the time the village was 
being platted. The place was started for the 
purpose of locating the county seat, and also 
was to be an important station on the tlien 
proposed Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railway, which finally took a more southern 



260 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



route through Avoca and Shelby. It was a 
well-designed plat; the survey shows that 
the streets were all eighty feet wide, except 
" Railroad street," which was 100 feet. The 
depot grounds were surveyed 200 by 720 
feet. A paper — the first newspaper in Shelby 
County — was established at Simoda in the 
spring of 1859, a history of which appears 
in the chapter devoted to the newspaper 
press elsewhere in this book. The place was 
a rival village of Harlan, and was indeed a 
beautiful site for a town, situated as it was at 
the forks of the two branches of the Nishna- 
botna River, on high, rolling ground. At 
one time, during 1859-'60, there were about 
twenty residences and business houses, in- 
cluding the New Idea printing office and N. 
W. Merrill's general store. A copy of the 
first newspaper was recently shown the 
writer. It contained the following business 
cards: William Reed, blacksmith, Manteno, 
la.; A. C. Ford, attorney and counselor at 
law; Dewell & Holbrook, county surveyors. 

Quite a spirited warfare was carried on 
between the people of Harlan and Simoda, 
known as the "Simoda war," contesting for 
the location of the county seat, but when by 
a vote of the people it was finally located at 
Harlan, Simoda lost its grip and soon went 
to decay, now only having a name in the 
musty plats of the county recorder's books 
and in the memory of the pioneers of Shelby 
County. The buildings were sold and re- 
moved to Harlan and to adjoining farms. 
Thus rose and fell the third village started 
in the county. 

MAHTENO. 

This is among the villages platted in 1859, 
the same having been filed for record April 
19 of that year. It is situated on section 18, 
township 81, range 40, west, and in what is 
now known as Grove Township, and is two 



or three miles from the defunct village of 
Shelbyville. At one time it was quite a 
hamlet, but after the county seat was re- 
moved from Shelbyville to Harlan, and other 
towns took rank as trading points, Manteno 
declined. At present there is but little aside 
from a few shops, a general store and the 
postoffice, all of which are a great accommo- 
dation to the surrounding farming commu- 
nity, who find it too far to go to the railroad 
towns for the staple goods they may require. 

PRESENT TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

HARLAN- 

Harlan, the county seat of Shelby County, 
is situated principally on section 18, township 
79, range 38, near the geographical center of 
the county. It was named in honor of one 
of Iowa's early and quite distinguished United 
States Senators, James Harlan. The original 
plat, however, was located on section 7, of 
the same township and range — a mile from 
the present business center. Their first plat- 
ting was executed by Adam and May Tuttle, 
and filed for record August 9, 1858. It was 
on low bottom land near the meanderings of 
the Nishnebotna River, and only flourished a 
short time, owing mainly to the fact that the 
land was not suitable. 

The next platting was what is known as 
" Lone's Addition." This was laid out and 
platted by James M. Long, July 15, 1859, 
and now constitutes the greater part of Har- 
lan. However, in the course of a few years, 
what is known as " Wyland's Addition" 
and "McDonald's Addition" were laid out 
and now form part of the place. 

BEAUTY OF ITS LOCATION. 

Iowa contains many pretty towns, but very 
few present to the eye a more charming 
natural landscape than the flourishing town 
of Harlan, environed as it is by a beautiful 
and rolling farming country, with here and 



HI8T0RT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



2C1 



there a good-sized grove of native timber — 
just sufficient to break the monotony of an 
otherwise prairie country. It matters not 
whether one views the town from one of the 
elevated tracts of land on either hand — 
whether standing on the bluff looking east, 
catching now and then a glimpse of that pict- 
uresque and extremely crooked stream, the 
Nishnebotna River, the meanderings of which 
at some seasons of the year look like a silver 
cord, broken in two, here and there, or 
whether one views it from an incoming train, 
from the south — the scene is one calculated to 
attract one to the place. In midsummer the 
vast fields of waving grain and corn, with the 
verdure of the forest trees, both natural and 
those planted by the hardy-handed pioneer, 
lend an enticing beauty whicii nature unas- 
sisted could not produce. Then you should 
pause a while at Harlan and watch the busy 
mart, thronged with hundreds of farmers' 
teams which have come in with various prod- 
ucts, and soon to return with the goods for 
which tliey have made an exchange. As one 
approaches the town from any given direction 
he is at once pleased and impressed at the 
sight of the numerous church spires pointing 
heavenward, as well as the excellent high- 
school building, with its dome towering high 
above and over all. These bespeak the cult- 
ure and social refinement of the populace, in 
tones unmistakable. " God made the country 
— man the city," and to the lover of nature 
no more beautiful location can be found than 
Harlan, which at this date — 1888 — is three 
decades old and has a population of 2,000 in 
round numbers. 

The first building erected was a small 
shanty, put up and lived in by Isaac Plum, 
while he was providing better quarters. He 
had first located at Simoda, across the river, 
and when he saw that Harlan was to be the 

county seat, he made an arrangement with 
23 



Messrs. Long & Ault, proprietors of the latter 
place, to remove his effects to their village site. 
Peter Barnett kept the first boarding-house 
in Harlan, in 1858. In the fail of 1858, 
William B. Newton built a house in which 
was kept the first tavern. The first real 
hotel built in Harlan was that erected by J. 
M. Long in 1871; he operated it a short time 
when it fell into other hands. It was called 
" The Harlan Hotel." 

The first harness-maker was Aaron Berg- 
stresser, who located soon after the close of the 
rebellion. 

William A. Gray, who succeeded Harvey 
«& Woodruff as general dealers, carried the first 
line of hardware, hollow-ware and stoves, 
beginning in 1860. 

The first druggist was Dr. Frest, who came 
soon after the village was platted. Dr. Eich- 
ard M. Smith, who came from Newton, Iowa, 
was the next in the drug trade. 

The pioneer shoemaker was George M. 
Couffer. 

The first furniture was handled by a man 
named McClaren, who located in 1868. Prior 
to that date people were compelled to go to 
Council Bluffs for even a common wooden- 
bottom chair, or provide one of a home make, 
which was stronger than it was easy or ele- 
gant, but style did not reign supreme in 
those earlier days! 

A building at Simoda, belonging to Isaac 
Plumb, was partly up and on a foundation 
properly made, but Harlan people wanted 
the new frame house to go up in their place, 
so a road was cut out through trees and 
bushes along the river, and the building 
removed by five teams. Tlie work on this 
building was commenced April 14, 1858, and 
was removed and nearly finished before May 
the same year. 

Just at this time Harlan began to have a 
genuine pioneer boqni — the §ound of the 



262 



EiaTORT OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



hammer and saw was heard on every hand; 
lumber was iu great demand; also workmen. 
The above named building was finally finished 
off and sold to a firm who sold the first woods 
in the place; it was composed of Dr. Ault, A. 
L. Harvey and L. W. Woodruff, later known 
as Harvey & Woodruff. This store was 
located on block 5 of the original plat of 
Harlan. The years 1858-'59 were busy years 
at Harlan; among the buildings erected were, 
after those just named, David H. Itandall's, 
Peter Barnett's, S. A. Sidner's and J.J. Tuck's. 
Barnett sold a fine yoke of oxen, and with the 
money purchased his lumber, cut at the new 
saw- mill. 

The first blacksmith who stood by an anvil 
in Harlan was a young man whose name is 
long since forgotten by the early settlers. 
He worked, later in the town's history, with 
D. H. Randall, who came from Clinton 
County, Iowa, and operated a shop some 
time. Men named Babb and Johnson were 
early blacksmitlis. 

The first meat that was sold in retail way 
was peddled out at Harlan once a week by 
Abraham Kniss, who weighed with the old 
style steelyards, and it is said never allowed 
the beam to go too high in dealing out his 
meat, having an eyeevidently to business! The 
first regular meat shop was started by John 
Stanley in 1871; he is still in the business, 
holding a large patronage. 

The earliest to engage in millinery busi- 
ness was Mrs. J. W. Sharji, in 1873. 

The first Fourth of July celebration was 
held in Harlan in 1858, and the first liberty 
pole erected that Independence day, on the 
high ground upon which H. C. Ilolcomb's 
residence now stands, which was away out of 
the business part of Harlan. The orator was 
Stephen Xing, of Harrison County. A dance 
was held in the evening, at which there was 
jpuch sport and innocent amusement. 



The first religious service on the town 
plat of Harlan was conducted by Judge 
Tarkington, the county judge, who was also 
a Methodist preacher. The first denomina- 
tion to build a ciiurch edifice was the Bap- 
tist society, who built in 1871, the same 
serving that people until their present fine 
church building was presented to them in 
1886 by James M. Long, original proprietor 
of the town proper. 

The livery business was first represented 
by George D. Ross, in 1873. 

A copy of the first newspaper published at 
Harlan in 1859, spoken of in the Press 
chapter, has advertisements of L. G. Tubbs, 
general dealer; William Gay & Co., general 
dealers and produce and commission; also a 
card appeared of A. M. Kime & Co., carpen- 
ters and builders. 

Another peculiar pioneer trader in general 
merchandise was one " Mr. " Bates, who rau 
a general store for one season, having about 
the premises several clerks, who, together 
with the community, had all those months 
been thinking "he" was a. man, when lo! 
and behold, a Council Bluffs physician was 
called to attend her in serious sickness, the 
fact was revealed that " he " was of the truly 
feminine gender. Upon the disclosure of 
this the general store of Bates & Co. soon 
became a thing of curiosity in the past. This 
peculiar person made frequent trips with the 
sheriff and other county officials to Council 
Bluffs and other places, but they never once 
thought they were bedfellows with other than 
a man; but such was the case! 

The first to embark in the jewelry business 
at Harlan was a man named Gidden, who, 
about 1870, was sent here to open a branch 
concern for a dealer at Atlantic named A. 
D. Hill. 

Prior to 1867 the people of Harlan bad to 
go without photographs, or else make a long 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



363 



journey to Council Bluflfs; but in the fall of 
that year an artist named Gander opened a 
studio, such as it was, in the upper story of 
the old court-house. 

P. B. Hunt was among the earliest lumber 
dealers, going into business soon after the 
railroad came. 

The first elevator was built in August, 
1879, by J. S. Murray. It had a capacity of 
10,000 bushels. This was destroyed by lire 
in February, 1882, and rebuilt in June the 
same year. 

Cananan & Bechtel built an elevator also 
in 1879, having a 10,000-bushel capacity. 

J. M. Mosby erected the third grain ele- 
vator in 1882, with the same capacity as 
those above named. 

M. J! Murray erected a warehouse of 5,000- 
bushel capacity in 1886. Those handling 
grain at Harlan in the fall of 1888 were M. 
J. Murray, J. F. Piatt & Co., Lockwood & 
Brother. 

THK TELEPHONE LINE. 

About 1880 the Hawkeye Telephone Com- 
pany built a line of telephone to Harlan from 
Avoca. It soon became known as the Iowa 
Telegraph and Telephone Company, and from 
that incorporated into what is now known as 
the Iowa Union Telephotie Compan}'. In 
Shelby County it operates an " exchange " at 
Harlan, Kirkman, Irwin, Defiance and Barl- 
ing, besides many private lines, some going 
to farm bouses, allowingdaily market reports 
from eastern markets. 

The first banking business transacted at 
Harlan by a home concern was in 1873, when 
C. J. & D. M. Wyland, who were engaged 
in real-estate business, began banking on a 
small scale in a little lean-to building, where 
they remained a short time and found a good 
paying banking business growing on their 
hands. They were obliged to remove to a 



frame building, 14 x 16 feet, which then 
stood on the west side of the public square; 
but this soon became too small a room, and 
in 1880 they erected a fine, substantial brick 
banking room, in which is now operated the 
Bank of Harlan and a general land and real 
estate oflice. 

The Shelby County Bank was incorporated 
under the laws of Iowa, in December, 1880, 
with a cash capital of §50,000. W. E. Hazen 
was the first cashier. It is what is known as 
a State bank, and has been successful from 
the commencement. Its present officers are: 
W. "W. Wheeler, President; B. Kees, Vice- 
President; M. K. Campbell, Cashier. Its 
place of business is within its own brick 
building, situated east from the public 
square. 

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF 1888. 

W. H. Axline, drugs. 

L. Frost, drugs. 

J. S. Gross, drugs. 

J. F. Huntzinger, drugs. 

Mills & Pexton, drugs and books. 

Daniel Chase, groceries. 

Cyrus A. Mentzer, groceries. 

AV. Pitman, groceries. 

D. W. Crouse, groceries. 
W. W. Wheeler, hardware. 
Canfield »te Taylor, hardware. 
Nathaniel Booth, farm implements. 
James McConnell, farm implements. 

E. B. Wicks, boots and shoes. 

J. H. & J. W. Ramsey, boots and shoes. 
French & True, general store. 
Joseph Beh, general store. 
Blotckey Bros., general store. 
B. Griffith, general store. 
George S. Gibbs, general store. 
George Iloldefer, general store. 
Eidamiller, general store. 
William H. Carl, furniture. 



364 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



O. F. Graves, furniture. 
Tinsley Bros., jewelry store. 
J. F. Brock, jewelry store. 
Henry Bocken, tailor. 
K. P. Jorgenson, tailor. 
H. II. Luecke, clothing. 
J. H. & J. W. Ramsey, clothing. 
C. Will Fisher, photographs. 
R. P. Daminand, photographs. 
R. Boyd, marble works. 
J. E. Miller, harness shop. 
Joseph Crique, harness shop. 

A. W. Bergstresser, harness shop. 

"W. C. Campbell, editor Tribune (Dem.) 
Oungst & Rhinesmith, proprietors Repub- 
lican (Rep.) 

Cox & Hanson, proprietors Industrial 
American (Labor.) 

B. F. Eshelman, dentist. 

City Hotel, A. H. Vaughn, proprietor. 

P. B. Hunt, lumber. 

M. J. Murry, grain elevator. 

J. F. Piatt, grain elevator. 

Lockwood Bros., grain elevator. 

L. L. Jarvis, livery barn. 

Frank Crouch, livery barn. 

Sheller & Phelps, real estate office. 

Shelby County Bank, M. K. Campbell, 
Cashier. 

Harlan Bank, C. J. & D. M. Wyland, pro- 
prietors. 

Opera House, C. J. & D. M. Wyland, 
proprietors. 

Miss M. Dunnington, millinery goods. 

Mrs. A. L. Potter, millinery goods. 

J. L. Stanley, meat market, 

S. J. Ramsey, meat market. 

J. W. Chatburn, proprietor roller mills. 

Cass «fe McArthur, wagon-makers. 

T. Hanson, blacksmith shop. 

E. A. Cobb, physician. 

E. B. Moore, physician. 

J. H. Waits, physician. 



E. J. Smith, physician. 
E. L. Cook, physician. 
R. S. Kirkpatrick, physician. 
Smith & Cullison, attorneys. 
J. I. M., attorney. 
Piatt Wicks, attorney. 
Robert P. Foss, attorney. 
Cyrus Beard, attorney. 
Gammon & Byers, attorneys. 

THE POST-OFFICE. 

A postoffice was established at Harlan in 
1858, the first postmaster being William 
Henderson, who kept the office at his resi- 
dence, on the left bank of the Nishnabotna 
River. Among the postmasters who followed 
him were: William A. Gray, D. H. Ran- 
dall, II. C. Holcomb, N. W. Babcock, S. P. 
Kinsey, Sr., B. I. Kinsey. The last named 
served until April 1, 1888, and was suc- 
ceeded by Jonathan B. Stutsman. S. P. 
Kinsey and his son held the office for four- 
teen years. The office became a money-order 
office in July, 1874, the first order being 
issued to J. E. Rockwood, for $1.05, payable 
to E. S. Tupper, of Des Moines. The full 
number of money orders issued up to No- 
vember 27, 1888, was 24,436, or an average 
of about five per business day for the whole 
time. 

THE rUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

From the earliest date the people of Har- 
lan have sought for the best educational ad- 
vantages, never begrudging the money thus 
expended. The first term of school taught on 
the present site of Harlan was held by L. W. 
Woodruff in a log house which stood where 
now stands the City Hotel. It was in the 
summer of 1859. The next to teach were 
Mrs. William Gray and Miss Sue Dunning- 
ton, who taught in the brick house erected 
by Isaac Plum, in the summer and fall of 
1859. This building was 20 x 24 feet, and 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



265 



stood where the Methodist church now 
stands, and served as school-house, public 
hall for church and political gatherings, as 
well as county fairs. Could this building 
have recorded its own history ere it fell back 
to dust, it would have unfolded a story of 
pioneer days full of thrilling events and 
happy incidents. As the population in- 
creased this became too small, hence in 1871 
it was torn down and a two-story frame 
house erected on the original six school lots 
purchased at an early day. It cost $2,500, 
and was 25 x 50 feet on the ground. A few 
years later an addition was made to it of two 
more school-rooms, which served the district 
until 1881, when the beautiful high school 
building was completed. The old frame 
house was converted into a residence for 
John Derks, and was destroyed by fire a few 
years later. The new building was erected 
by S. Bryan, at a cost of $18,000. It is a 
three-story building, divided into nine de- 
partments, and is of most modern design 
throughout, and is steam heated. One jani- 
tor, J. B. Swain, has thus far been employed 
at $40 per month, and through his excellent 
management the building, engine and heat- 
ing appliances have been kept in good repair. 
Ten teachers are employed at this time, 
the principal receiving $1,200 per year, while 
eight assistants receive $45 per month, and 
one $55 per month. The present (1888) en- 
rollment of scholars is 625, the majority of 
which reside in Harlan. 



SOCIETIES. 



The first secret societies to occupy our 
attention would naturally be the order of 
Free and Accepted Masons. The traditions 
of Freemasonry form a precious heritage. 
Rightly interpreted, they are as beneficent as 
they are authoritative. This ancient and hon- 
orable order rests on a foundation of broad 



human sympathies. Its objects are by pre- 
cept and practice to foster virtue, to incul- 
cate charity, and to bind the members to- 
gether in enduring bonds of brotherly love. 
It is a professor and teacher of every moral 
and social virtue. 

This institution has its foundation deeply 
laid in the hopes, aspirations and affections 
of man, or it never could have come down to 
us through the ages, evolving and develop- 
ing with the lapse of time, adapting itself 
through revolving centuries to the changes 
of religion, civilization and enlightenment, 
ever retaining its hold upon the human heart. 

All political agitation is excluded from its 
action and consideration. The very charac- 
ter of its membership is a guarantee not only 
of its freedom from aught that is harmful, 
but of its possession of much that is laudable 
and desirable. Members of the order are to 
be found in every land and clime; it is not 
confined to sect, station, people or tongue — 
neither does it show preference for members 
on account of wealth or high social stand- 
ing. Rich and poor, statesman and warrior, 
scholar and laborer, men from every honest 
class and honorable profession, meet upon one 
common level and clasp each other's hands in 
fraternal grasp. 

Masonry has grown and flourished to a 
wonderful extent in Shelby County; it has a 
very large and active membership, embracing 
within its fold many of the very best citizens, 
who are enthusiastic and zealous workers in 
its glorious cause. 

Parian Lodge, No. 321, of F. di A. M., 
worked under a dispensation from Novem- 
ber 30, 1872, having twelve charter mem- 
l)ers. Upon July 8, 1873, the lodge was 
duly instituted, and the following officers 
elected: John Fritz, W. M.;"W. J. Davis, S. 
W.; J. II. Louis, .). W.; II. S. IJurke, Treas- 
urer; William AVyland, Secretary; T. W. 



266 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Chatbiirn, S. D.; James Lambert, J. D. ; F. 

A. Barger, S. S. ; Alexander Barr, J. S. ; 
"William H. Griffith, Tyler. 

The officers at the present time are: 
Joseph I. Myerly, W. M.; Cyrus Beard, S. 
W.; "Wesley Scott, J. W.; D. M. "Wyland, 
Treasurer; O. P. "Wyland, Secretary: W. C. 
Campbell, S. D.;Fred. Eidenmiller, J. D.; J. 
V. Brazie, S. S.; L. M. Kerr, J. S.; W. P. 
Stone, Tyler. 

The total membership in December, 1888, 
was 115, at whicli time the lodge was in a 
flourishing condition. 

Olivet Chapter, No. 107, Royal Arch 
Masons, worked under dispensation, from 
July 6, 1885, with a charter membership of 
twelve. The first elective officei-s were: P. 

B. Hunt, H. P.; P. F. Murray, K.; F. Dun- 
ham, S. ; J. "W. Latta, Sec. and Treas. ; "W. H. 
Axline, C. H.; Eev. P. Y. D. Vedder, P. S.; 
"William "Wyland, R. A. C; Neil Carmichel, 
G. M. 3 v.; L. H. Lasall, G. M. 2 V.; H. S. 
Burke, G. M. 1 Y.; "William Stone, Guard. 

The present officers are: "W. li. Axline, H. 
P.; D. B. Sheller, K.; W. Scutt, S.; D. "W. 
Wyland, Treas.; O. P. "Wyland, Sec; J. I. 
Myerly, C. H.; S. R. Pratt, P. S.; D. B. 
Sheller, R. A. C; John Fritz, G. M. 3 Y.; 
Cyrus Beard, G. M. 2 Y. ; "\Y. J. Davis, G. 
M. 1 Y.; T. 15. Burr, Guard. Total member- 
ship, eighty-two. 

Mount Zion Commandery, K. T., No. 
4-9, of Harlan, worked under dispensation 
from July 6, 1886, with a charter member- 
ship of ten. 

The first officers were: Sir "William Fiske 
Cleveland, E. C; Sir Josiah True, G. ; Sir 
Daniel Crawford Cooper, O. G.; Sir Paroan 
Brown Hunt, P. ; Sir William Henry Axline, 
S. W.; Sir Patrick Francis Murray, J. W.; 
Sir David Madison Wyland, Treas.; Sir Omar 
Pacha Wyland, Rec; Sir Fred. Eidemiller, 
Sta. B.; Sir William Colin Campbell, I. B.; 



Sir Joseph Irving Myerly, W. ; Sir Ephraim 
Douglas, S. W. 

The officers serving December 1, 1888, 
were: Sir William Fiske Cleveland, E. C; 
Sir David Madison Wyland, G.; Sir Joseph 
Irving Myerly, C. G.; Sir Cyrus Beard, P.; 
Sir William Henry Axline, S. W. ; Sir George 
Sabin Gibbs, J. W. ; Sir William John Davis, 
Treas.; Sir Lorenze H. LaSall, Sta. B.; Sir 
Asher Sage Riley, S. B.; Sir Wesley Scutt, 
Warden; Sir Edward D. Bergstresser, S. W.; 
Sir Herman John Garland, 1 G. ; Sir Frank- 
lin Moore Bowtin, 2 G. ; Sir David Byron 
Sheller, 3 G. Present total membership, 
sixty-seven. 

Lebanon Chapter, No. 8, of Eastern Star 
Order, was instituted at Harlan in March, 
1887, with thirty-seven charter members. 
The first officers were: Mrs. H. G. Garland, 
Matron; D. B. Sheller, Patron; Mrs. F. 
M. Bowlin, Treas.; Mrs. D. B. Sheller, Sec. 
The present membership is some in advance 
of the charter number. The officers for 
1888 were: Mrs. H. J. Garland, Matron; D. 
B.' Sheller, Patron; Mrs. F. M. Bowlin, 
Treas.; Mamie Fritz, Sec. 

The various degrees of the Masonic order 
meet at Masonic Hall, on the nortii side of 
the public square. Their place of meeting 
is indeed an defiant one. Both the lodjje 
room proper and the banquet hall are 
furnished in an excellent style. No expense 
has been spared to provide these rooms with 
everything for the convenience of the frater- 
nity, and all of the furnishings have been 
selected with the best taste. They have rich 
and costly regalia, each suit having its proper 
place within a finely finished wood and glass- 
faced case. The carpets and seats are of an 
attractive pattern, and the charts, emblems 
and pictures add much to the appearance of 
the rooms. The unusual amount of interest 
that each individual member manifests for 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



267 



the order, tiie large and increasinof member- 
ship, and the class of men who are so closely 
identified with these several bodies, speak 
highly for the intense zeal that permeates the 
entire Masonic fraternity, and has marked the 
city of Harlan as one of the leading Masonic 
cities in the State. 

The Knights of Pythias, Carthage Lodge, 
No. 65, was instituted June 30, 1885, with 
thirty-four charter members, the present 
membership being sixty-one. The first ofii- 
cers were: Joseph Stiles, P. C. ; H. M. Neu- 
meyer, C. C; C. H. Evans, V. C; E. B. 
Ward, P.; B. F. Eshelman, M. of F.; J. W. 
Harrod, M. of V.; D. B. Sheller, K. R. S.; 
J. F. Huntzinger, M. at A.; J. H. Ramsey, 
I. G.; J. Walton, O. G. The present officers 
are: E. L. Scofield, P. C; J. F. Brock, C. C; 
J. S. Miller, D. C.; G. K. Patterson, P.; M. 
Headley, M. at A.; J. K. Bamsey, K. of R. 
and S.; J. F. Pexton, M. of F.; H. L. Sco- 
field, M. ofV.; Gus Dasbach, I. G.; T. U. 
Hathaway, O. G. They have an excellent 
lodge room in Wheeler's Block, which they 
have leased for permanent quarters. The 
same is well carpeted and furnished, and the 
members work in a harmonious manner, so that 
it may be said the " K. of P." at Harlan is in a 
growing, prosperous condition, fully carrying 
into practical etfect the object of its order. 

The Odd Fellows Order. — Harlan Lodge, 
No. 267, was instituted December 26, 1873, 
with a charter membership of fifteen. The 
first officers of this brotherhood were: Samuel 
Potter, N. G.; N. Booth, V. G.; D. M. 
Wyland, Sec; W. S. Stutsman, Treas. In 
1888 the officers were: W. T. Shepherd, N. 
G.; D. Z. Ganzer, V. G.; J. W. Jones, R. S.; 
L. R. Hertert, P. S. ; E. D. Bergstresser, 
Treas. The total 7neinbership at this date is 
forty-six. The lodge is in good working 
condition, and has among its members the 
best business men in Harlan. 



Other societies have sprung up and existed 
for a time and then gone down. Among 
such defunct societies may be mentioned the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, which 
flourished for a time, but at present most of 
the members have severed their connection 
with the order, while a few still pay their 
assessments to the Grand Lodge, but do not 
meet in a body. 

The Legion of Honor at one time was 
represented here, but finally merged into 
other mutual benevolent societies. 

HARLAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. 

This concern was organized May 28, 1888, 
by the leading business men of the town, for 
the purpose of " protecting and fostering the 
commercial interests of Harlan." By-laws 
and constitution were adopted, to which 
twenty-six names were signed as charter 
members, each paying $1 as a membership 
fee. The following are the officers of the 
association: W. J. Davis, President; D. M. 
Wyland and W. W. Wheeler, Vice-Presi- 
dents; D. B. Sheller, Secretary, and John T. 
Jack, Treasurer. Committees were appointed 
on Improvements, Railways, Manufactories, 
etc. The business men who formed this as- 
sociation saw the need of organized efl'ort in 
order to accomplish anything of much value 
in way of public enterprises. 

HARLAN GRAND ARMY POST, NO. 197. 

This is one of Harlan's flourishing socie 
ties, and comes to be more highly appreciated 
as the years roll away and the frosts of age 
begin to whiten the heads of the comrades 
brave who stood side by side in the great 
civil war. This post was mustered June 29, 
1888, by Comrade Henry Fry, of "Sam Rice 
Post," Atlantic, Iowa. The charter members 
and first officers were as follows: 

T. .1. Robinson, Commander; .1. II. Louis, 
Vice-Commander; M. K. Campbell, Quarter- 



268 



HISTOBT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



master; George E. Bennett, M. Headley, 
George D. Ross, Senior Yice-Coinmander; 
H. D. Lacy, Officer of the Day; Samuel Pot- 
ter, Thomas A. Long, Quartermaster-Ser- 
geant; B. I. Kinsey, Officer of the Guard; 
F. Dunham, Sergeant-Major; J. H. Weeks, , 
John M. Rodgers, C. L. Drake, Surgeon; D. 

F. Paul, Adjutant; George Chase, R. L. 
Tompkins, C. L. Wilder, Thomas Ledwich, 
Chaplain; T. E. Somers, G. H. Shoemaker. 

At the time tliis post was mustered, 
twenty-two comrades joined. At one time 
eighty-six were enrolled. At this writing 
there are about fortj' in good standing. 

The present officers are: J. H. Reynolds, 
Commander; M. White, Senior Vice-Com- 
mander; A. J. Corbin, Junior Vice-Com- 
mander; J. H. Weeks, Surgeon; S. W. 
Swarts, Chaplain; T. J. Robinson, Officer of 
the Day; M. Headley, Officer of the Guard; 

G. D. Ross, Adjutant and Quartermaster; 
W. II. Erret, Sergeant-Major; John Mead, 
Quartermaster-Sergeant. In January, 1885, 
a hall on the west side of the public square 
was fitted up, which provides a fine head- 
quarters. The post is out of debt and owns 
forty stands of regulation arms, and a beauti- 
ful silk flag costing upward of $70, the 
finest in Shelby County. Upon Decoration 
day the post forget not the graves of fallen 
comrades, but conduct memorial services in 
an impressive and appropriate manner. Per- 
haps no man is more entitled to credit for 
the success of this post than Comrade George 
D. Ross, who has been an ardent, persistent 
worker. 

SONS OF VETERANS. 

This order, a branch of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, was organized November 17, 
1888, as " Gen. Schofield Camp, No. 162," 
with a charter membership of thirteen. Its 
officers are: H. L. Scofield, Captain; B. B. 



Griffith, Jr., First Lieutenant; Colfax Smith, 
Second Lieutenant. They meet at the G. A. 
R. Hall. 

AVOCA, HARLAN & NORTHERN RAILWAY. 

In 1878 a company was organized at Har- 
lan for the purpose of grading and bridging 
a road bed from Avoca to Harlan, a distance 
of about thirteen miles. This company suc- 
ceeded in getting a tax voted in the following 
townships : Harlan, Lincoln, Westphalia, 
Douglas and Greeley, at diiferent precincts, 
owing to the advantage to be derived from 
the building and operation of such a line of 
railroad, the per cent, in Harlan Township 
being four cents on a dollar of taxable prop- 
erty, while in Greeley it was only one per cent. 

The officers of such company (formed really 
for the work of construction) were as follows: 
Thomas McDonald, President; Piatt Wicks, 
Secretary; C. J. Wyland, Treasurer; J. M. 
Long and D. M. Wyland, Directors. The 
road was to be completed to Harlan on or 
before December 1, 1878, and by hurrying 
the work of track-laying the work was accom- 
plished in time to insure the collection of the 
taxes voted in its aid. There had been an 
agreement between this home company and 
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific company 
to the efi"ect that the latter named would iron 
and tie the road bed, providing the former 
company would do the other work of con- 
struction. When finally finished the Rock 
Island company leased the same for a term of 
ninety-nine years. It was in this manner 
that the towns of Harlan and Avoca were 
united by a line of railway, which givee 
Harlan an outlet, east and west, over the 
" great Rock Island route," giving the people 
nearly all the advantages to be derived from 
living on the main line. Too much cannot 
be said in praise of the far-sighted men who 
organized and carried on this plan for securing 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



269 



a railroad outlet to markets. Upon the ad- 
vent of the first regular train which ran to 
Harlan, there was great rejoicing among the 
people in general, as it virtually opened up a 
highway to the great commercial center of 
the country, and marked a new era in the 
history of Shelby County. 

From both Harlan and the midway station 
of Corley there are large shipments of grain 
and live stock out, as well as vast amounts 
of merchandise shipped in. It has proven 
not only a benefit to the people of Harlan, 
but also to all the surrounding farming com- 
munity which hitherto had been obliged to 
go a long distance to market. 

INCORPORATION. 

May 2, 1879, Harlan was incorporated in 
answer to a petition signed by 123 voters. 
The first mayor elected was William "Wyland, 
who was succeeded by mayors elected at the 
April annual election of each year, as follows: 
William Closson, 1881; R. M. Jameson, 
1882-'83-'84; O. F. Graves, 1885; E. J. 
Smith, 1886; P. H. Hunt, 1887; B. F. Eshel- 
man, 1888. The latter named, owing to 
other business calling him away, resigned, 
and F. M. Bowlan was elected in his place 
October 1, 1888. 

The incorporation has always had the best 
of government; the expenditures for the most 
part have been only such as the property 
and safety of the place demanded. Among 
the city improvements made may be men- 
tioned 

THE WATERWORKS, 

which surpass those of any other town of its 
population in Iowa. A contract was let and 
carried out in the spring of 1880 to sink a 
well for the purpose of supplying water for 
fire and other purposes, the same being fifty 
feet deep and six feet (in the clear) in diam- 
eter. The price paid was $880. The supply 



is inexhaustible, never yet having been 
pumped lower than its average water mark, 
which has always left thirty feet of water in 
the well. Pipes have been laid to the pub- 
lic square, where six cisterns or reservoirs 
were constructed beneath the ground, with 
two additional ones in the south and eastern 
part of the place. The total capacity of these 
several cisterns amounts to 4,000 barrels. A 
stationary engine within the city building, 
fired up once a month, pumps the water into 
these reservoirs at a nominal expense. At 
first a hand fire engine was employed, but in 
June, 1885, a fine, large steamer was pur- 
chased in New York, valued at $4,500. The 
same weighs over three tons, without its 
coal and water, and has a capacity of throw- 
ing 700 gallons of water per minute, it being 
the second largest fire engine in Iowa. It 
was named '■'■ James M. Long,^' in honor of 
one of the proprietors of Harlan. It is what 
is known as the Silsby, the best now man- 
ufactured. There are three distinct tire 
companies — all combined in one — the en- 
gine company, the hose company and the 
hook and ladder company. The city owns 
1,000 feet of hose and about 100 feet 
of the most improved ladders. These three 
companies number sixty men, in whose 
hands the town has always felt perfectly safe. 
No disastrous fires have ever occurred since 
the organization of the fire company. With 
the inexhaustible flow of water at hand it 
only remains for the incorporation to lay 
pipes or purchase more hose in order to pro- 
tect the entire place from the ravages of 
flames. 

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. 

No better index to the character of a 
people can possibly be had than is afforded 
by the support given the numerous church 
societies. Each church spire tells of an 



270 



HISTORY OF SUBLET COUNTY. 



advanced Christian refinement which any 
community should gladly support, and in 
which it should take a just pride. Iowa is 
fast coming to be noted for her many excel- 
lent schools, colleges and churches. The re- 
ligious element most certainly predominates 
at Harlan now as in the early history, be- 
cause it nobly supports the following church 
organizations: Baptist, Danish Baptist, Con- 
gregational, Christian, Latter Day Saints, 
Methodist Episcopal, Adventists and Roman 
Catholic. 

The Baptist Society was formed in Jan- 
uary, 1868, with the following member- 
ship: A. Blankenship, T. J. Colwell, James 
Lambert, J. Lambert, Mrs. M. Blankenship, 
Mary Blankenship, Angeline Blake, Lucinthy 
Colwell and Caroline Lambert. The differ- 
ent pastors are as follows: He v. James 
Lambert, from October to November, 1869; 
Kev. Joshua Courier, from November, 1869, 
to December, 1871; Rev. James Lambert, 
the second time, from March until Decem- 
ber, 1872; Rev. Joshua Courier, the second 
time, from January, 1873, to August, 1873; 
Rev. E. G. O. Groat, from September, 1873, 
to March, 1874; Rev. J. E. Rockwood, from 
May, 1874, to August, 1874; Rev. W. A. 
Darward, from December, 1874, to Novem- 
ber, 1875; Rev. Gil man Parker, from Jan- 
uary, 1876, to 1879; Rev. W. A. Welsher, 
from May, 1880, to May, 1881; Rev. An- 
thony Jacobs, from December, 1881; Rev. 
A. H. Post, from 1883 to 1886; Rev. N. A. 
Reed, from January 1, 1887, to 1888; Rev. 
J. F. Bryant, present pastor, came from 
Logan, Iowa, November 1, 1888. 

At first religious services were held in the 
court-house, but in 1871 a chapel was fin- 
ished, which served until 1886, when James 
M. Long, of Harlan, donated §6,000 toward 
the erection of their present beautiful brick 
church, which cost altogether about $7,000. 



Its donor also gave bis time as superintendent 
of construction on the same. It is a good 
sized structure, seating 450 people. It is 
heated by an improved hot air furnace. Its 
dedication took place August 22, 1886. Rev. 
M. D. Bevan, of Atlantic, preached the ser- 
mon. At one time the membership of this 
church numbered 130, but at present only 
enrolls ninety; the decrease is owing to re- 
movals and deaths. 

The Congregational Chxirch was organized 
originally in 1871 by a minister from Avoca. 
The first members, seven in number, were: 
James Harvey, Lucy A. Harvey, Sarah E. 
Davis, Miss Cornelia llolcomb, Mrs. Mary 
A. "Wood, Mrs. Anna E. Closson, Mrs. Sarah 
Redfield. This first church held occasional 
services until 1874, when others were added, 
and in the fall of 1878 the believers in the 
Presbyterian church who lived at Harlan, 
together with the Congregational people, by 
agreement, formed a reorganized Congrega- 
tional church, there not being a sufficient 
number to organize into two distinct socie- 
ties. For several years this young church 
drew sufficient support from the Home Mis- 
sionary Society, but later was unaided. So 
really the date of the present church at Har- 
lan was November 10, 1878, when Rev. E. 
Adams came and organized the new society, 
whicli adopted their articles of faith and 
cov.enanted together. Twenty-three united at 
that time. The services have been unbroken 
ever since. The early place of meeting was 
at Long's Hall and in the court-house, but 
in 1881 they built a commodious house of 
worship in one of the finest locations of the 
town, opposite the public school building. 
Its cost was $2,800. It was dedicated Sab- 
bath morning, July 23, 1882, at which time 
all the churches in town omitted services to 
be in attendance, except the Methodist peo- 
ple. The sermon was preached by Rev. E. 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



271 



S. Hill, of Atlantic, Iowa. The property 
was freed from debt before that day. E. W. 
Davis, of Avoca, had given the gronnd npon 
which the church stands. The trustees of the 
society then were C. C. Redlield, T. J. Robin- 
son and M. K. Campbell. The various pas- 
tors having served this church, are: Rev. J. 
G. Sabin, from 1879 to 1881; Rev. E. S. 
Sherman, from 1881 to 1884; Rev. C. N. 
Sinnett, from 1884 to 1886; Rev. J. W. 
Geiger, July 6, 1887, who is still the pastor. 
He came from Des Moines, Iowa, and is doing 
much toward the upbuilding of the church at 
Harlan. 

The history of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of this place dates back to pioneer 
days. In this county, as in nearly all new 
countries, the Methodists were the first to 
herald the truths of the gospel. To Judge 
Tarkington belongs the honor of first pro- 
claiming the Methodist faith in this section 
of Iowa, having preached the first sermon 
ever heard at Harlan, December 3, 1859, at 
the first quarterly meeting of Harlan Mis- 
sion, which was within the limits of the 
Western Iowa Conference. The first preacher 
who regularly attended this charge was Rev. 
Kirkland Card, who came in 1860, and re- 
ceived $100 for his services. Following him 
came Rev. N. L. Phillips, in 1861; Rev. 
James Leslie, in 1863-'64, at which date the 
Des Moines Annual Conference was estab- 
lished, making Harlan a regular station, from 
which time it has been constantly supplied. 
Those having served as pastors from the 
above date to the present are as follows: 
Rev. E. R. Latta, 1865; Rev. T. McK. Stew- 
art, 1866; Rev. W. T. Smith, 1867; Rev. A. 
W. Taylor, 1868; Rev. W. E. Hamilton, 
1869-'70; liev. Levi Park and Rev. Hanke, 
1871; Rev. William Armstrong, 1872; Rev. 
A. C. Smith, 1873-'74; Rev. C. Ashton, 
1875-'76; Rev. G. H. Detwiler, 1878; Rev. 



D. C. Franklin, 1879-'80-'81; Rev. W. E. 
Hamilton, 1882; Rev. P. S. V. Vetter, 
1883-'84; Rev. W. W. Ramsey, 1885; Rev. 
J. H. Senseney, 1887, and Rev. W. H. Ship- 
man, the present (1888) pastor. 

The first class-leader was P. Springer, who 
acted in 1859. A church building (part of 
the present one) was erected in 1874, and 
dedicated September 27 of that year. Rev. 
Alexander Burns, D. D., of lodianola, Iowa, 
preaching the sermon on the occasion, using 
"Stand fast in the faith" as his te.xt. In 
connection with these services the amount of 
$851 was pledged, all of which was paid 
witiiin one year. In 1882 an addition was 
built to the original church, giving the 
present edifice a seating capacity of 350. 
The society, which now numbers 170, is in a 
prosperous condition and owns a good-sized 
parsonage near the church building. 

Latter-Day Saints Church, of Harlan, is 
within the Galland's Grove Conference, a 
branch society of the Grove Township church. 
It was organized May 23, 1869, with Jonas 
Wellington Chatburn as presiding elder; 
Frank Wellington, teacher, and John B. 
Swain as priest. 

In 1882 the society erected a neat edifice 
in which to worship. It is a frame building 
with seating capacity of about 500. It is 
provided with pews, is finely carpeted and 
otherwise furnished. The walls are of hard 
finish, presenting an even and substantial ap- 
pearance. The church, exclusive of lots and 
interior furniture, cost $1,700. 

At one time the society numbered seventy- 
five, but owing to removals and other causes 
it has been reduced to forty-five members. 
It should here be stated that this sect de- 
nounce in the strongest terms the doctrine of 
polygamy as taught and practiced by Brig- 
ham Young and his devotees. 

The present officers of the church are: J. 



273 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



W. Chatbnrn, Presiding Elder; J. W. Salter, 
Priest; Nathaniel Boothe, Teacher. 

The Christian Church was formed Febru- 
ary 18, 1876, by Elder C. W. Sherwood, with 
T. V. Berry as first pastor. At one time the 
church had an enrollment of 125 members; 
at present it has 110. 

In 1880 a finely situated house of worship 
was erected, at a cost of $2,000, the same 
being dedicated June 27, 1880. It seats 
comfortably about 275 persons. The first 
chuTch ofliicials (trustees) were E. Douglas, 
AV. P. Chance and J. P. "Wyland. Those 
serving at this time are John Ramsey, G.W. 
Fall and George Holdefer. The following 
named have served as pastors: Rev. G. B. 
Mullis, Rev. J. L. Felter, Rev. D. J. Howe, 
Rev. D. C. Morris, Rev. J. P. Lucas, Rev. O. 
H. Truman and Rev. J. R. Cornell. At 
present there is no pastor, but the church is 
about to employ one. This society owns one 
of the best pieces of church property in Har- 
lan, and its members are a thorough -going 
class of Christian workers. 

The Danish Baptist Church of Harlan was 
organized as a distinct society, independent 
of the American church, October 30, 1886, 
with a membership of seventeen. The first 
minister was F. C. Nelson, who came once 
in two weeks, iintil the spring of 1887, when 
arrangements were made with C. Carlson, of 
Atlantic, who still serves this people every 
other week. The society now numbers 
twenty-nine, most of whom reside in Harlan. 
Their people had worshiped with the Ameri- 
can church for many years, but preferring to 
listen to and teach the gospel in their own 
tongue, they finally organized. Their church 
building was formerly occupied by the Ameri- 
can Baptist, who conveyed it to James M. 
Long, founder of the town, in lieu of the 
handsome church edifice he erected for them, 
and he then donated tlie old frame church to 



the Danish branch. It is a house which was 
built in 1867 — the first church in Harlan; it 
is 24x48 feet, and seats between one and two 
hundred. 

The Roman Catholic society, consisting of 
about twelve families, is under the charge of 
the church at "Westphalia. A chapel was 
built and dedicated the past season — 1888. 
In addition to the religious societies already 
named, may be mentioned the Seventh Day 
Adventist church, which is about perfected, 
making in all more church organizations than 
one seldom finds in a town the size of Har- 
lan, which fact is a good index of the moral 
character of her people. 

SHELBY. 

This is a thriving place of about 600 
population, situated on section 33 of Shelby 
Township. It is near the beautiful stream 
known as Silver Creek, and is on the main 
line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad, thirty-two unles from Council 
BluflFs, in an easterly direction. Its his- 
tory now covers a period of an even score of 
years, as it dates from 1868, in which year 
the railroad passed through to the Missouri 
River. The only settler, prior to 1868, was 
James Hawkins, who sold the land on which 
the town now stands to B. F. Allen, banker 
of Des Moines, who platted the same in 1868. 
Hawkins was an old soldier of a very eventful 
life, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. He obtained this tract of laud, with 
others, for services rendered in the Mexican 
war, the date of his original entry being in 
1855. He settled on the banks of Silver Creek 
in 1866, where he erected a log cabin, in 
which he lived for many years. The first 
house built in Shelby proper was the section 
house of "the railroad company. The next 
was erected by Alexander Thompson, and is 
still used as a dwelling. The third house 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



373 



was built by James W. Linn in 1869. Soon 
after this J. M. Wood came and erected the 
Slielby House, and opened a general store. In 
187-i the property fell into the hands of L. 
Benliam. The same year Dr. J. W. Camp- 
bell, now of Old Mexico, started a general 
store. Other early comers were Harrod 
Bros., who engaged in general merchandis- 
ing, but are now in trade at Harlan, Iowa. 
In 1872 J. D. Cord came from Lucas County, 
Iowa, and engaged in grain, lumber and 
stock business, taking John Davis in com- 
pany with him, in 1873. They continued 
seven years, when Mr. Cord removed to Ta- 
coma, Washington Territory. In the fall of 
1874, E. C. Clapp came from Iowa City, 
Iowa, and operated a general store until 
1884; he is now one of the banking firm 
of Davis & Clapp, of the Citizens' Bank. J. 
D. Cord and John Davis were proprietors 
of the Shelby County Bank for three years,; 
dissolving May, 1887, when Davis & Clapp 
formed their co-partnership as bankers and 
real-estate dealers. Another man who came 
to tiie village at an early day was J. P. 
McEwen, from Davenport, Iowa. He was 
one of the prominent men of the place, and 
was noted for activity in all works of public 
character. He died in 1881, leaving a family, 
who still reside in Harlan. 

The railroad depot was built in the fall 
of 1869. Harrod Bros, came in 1877, and 
built the store building now used by W. F. 
Cleveland & Co. The village was incorpo- 
rated in the fall of 1877, the lirst mayor 
being John W. Harrod. The place is made 
up of wide-awake business men of high moral 
and religious standing. The followitig socie- 
ties have been organized and still flourish: 
A Methodist, Presbyterian and German Lu- 
theran church; Masonic, Odd Fellows, Good 
Templars, Legion of Honor, and Grand Army 
Post. 



The Methodist Episcopal Church a.t Shelby . 
had its beginning by a service held in the 
half finished railroad depot, July 3, 1870. 
Those present were: C. J. McLaughlin and 
wife, J. W. Linn and wife. Dr. Campbell 
and wife, Mr. Wood and wife, J. P. McEwen 
and wife, John Edwards, the railroad agent, 
and several children. The preacher was a 
local minister named A. Johnson. The first 
"class" was duly organized that day, consist- 
ing of four members — C. J. McLaughlin and 
wife and J. W. Linn with his wife. The 
class thus formed was soon attached to Har- 
lan circuit. The first pastor was W. E. Ham- 
ilton, now president of Simpson College. 
The first leader was J. W. Linn; the first 
steward was C. J. McLaughlin. 

During the first three years services were 
held at different private houses. In 1873 a 
school- house erected in Shelby was used by 
all the denominations for a time. 

In 1877 the society built a neat edifice in 
which to worship. This cost 83,500. C. A. 
Bunker was pastor at the time. 

A year later a parsonage was provided, 
costing about $700. 

In 1875 Shelby charge was taken from 
Harlan and added to Avoca, and in 1878 
Shelby became a charge of itself. 

The following pastors have faithfully served 
the church at Shelbj': 

Eev. W. E. Hamilton, one year; Rev. 
Parks, six months; liev. Hauck, six months; 
Rev. W. Armstrong, one year; Rev. Smith, 
two years; Rev. Wood, six months; Rev. C. 
A. Bunker, one year and a half; Rev. Fred 
Harris, three months; Rev. W. A. Chambers, 
nine montlis; Rev. W. C. Martin, one year; 
Rev. W. F. Bartholemew, two years; Rev. J. 
C. Stevens, one year; Rev. D. C. Franklin, 
three years; Rev. D. Shenton, present pastor, 
on his fourth year. 

The present membership ofthechurch is 173. 



274 



Ur STORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



The Presbyterian Church was organized 
February 20, 1880, bj a committee appointed 
by the Presbytery of Conncil Blufls, Iowa, 
consisting of Rev. G. M. Lod^e and Elders 
J. S. Love and George Bergen. The original 
membersliip consisted of fourteen persons, 
who gave in letters from various places. 
After a sermon by G. M. Lodge, the follow- 
ing ruling elders were elected: William 
Shiek, K. M. Pomeroy and John Edwards. 
N. A. Best was chosen deacon. Kev. G. M. 
Lodge supplied the pulpit for about two 
years. Rev. T. R. Lewis began his labors at 
Shelby in June, 1882, and was duly installed 
pastor of tJie church September 28, 1886. 
He resigned and removed from Shelby in 
January, 1888. The church edifice was 
erected on the corner of Plateau and Center 
streets in 1885, at a cost of §4,800. It is a 
beautiful building, with Gothic cathedral 
glass windows, with a spacious recess for 
choir purposes, back of the pulpit; also a 
lecture room in front, with folding doors into 
the auditorium. It is iinished with cherry 
ceilings, seated with cherry-colored assembly 
chairs, is heated by means of a furnace, and 
lighted with reflectors. It comfortably seats 
300 persons. This church was dedicated in 
March, 1885, by Revs. John lierron, T. S. 
Bailey and T. R. Lewis. The present mem- 
bership of the society is eighty-five. 

Rev. John H. Carpenter was called to the 
pastorate in the spring of 1888, entering on 
the duties June 1. In the fall of 1888 the 
ladies of the church purchased an 800-pound 
bell, known as the McShane bell, at Balti- 
more, Maryland. 

The present (1888) elders are: R. M. Pom- 
eroy, S. D. Abbott, R. W. Carsou and J. H. 
Helm. 

The German Lutheran Church was organ- 
ized May 20, 1883, in which year the society 
erected a house of worship with a seating 



capacity of 300 people. At one time there 
were 66 members, but now not quite so many. 
The membership, for the most part, reside on 
farms in t^ie vicinity of Shelby. Services are 
now held once a month. Rev. Kaminskie 
was the first pastor iu charge. The present 
pastor is Rev. John Peterson, of Minden. 
The society is out of debt, owning church, 
parsonage and school building. A wealthy 
lady of Germany donated $5,000 toward this 
church enterprise. 

The Baptist Societrj flourished at Shelby 
for a short time, but is not an active body at 
present. 

SCHOOLS. 

The intelligence of the population of Shelby 
has always fostered the best of public schools. 
The beginning of edcational matters in the 
village dates back to 18 — . 

SOCIETIES. 

Silestia Lodge, No. 371, A. F. & A. M., 
at Shelby, Iowa, was organized in 1876, with 
a charter membership of ten persons. 

The first to serve as oSicers of their lodge 
were: S. B. Frum, W. M.; A. O. Snyder, 
S. W.; Silas Davis, J. W.; John Edwards, 
Treasurer; J. II. Shively, Secretary; J. N. 
Frum, S. D.; George Tate, J. D. 

The first to be made a Master Mason at 
this point was J. D. Cochran. The present 
membership is fifty-six. The present officers 
are: S. B. Frum, W. M. ; John Davis, S. W. ; 
"W. D. Buckley, J. W.; C. R. Benedict, Treas- 
urer; G. II. Runk, Secretary; J. H. Frum, 
S. D.; S. C. Eschehnan, J. D.; Silas Davis, 
Tyler. The present condition of the lodge 
is excellent in all of its workings. 

The Odd Feliotos Canopy Lodge, No. ^.01, 
of Shelby, Iowa, was organized October 21, 
1880. The highest number of members up 



l/ISTOUr OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



275 



to tl)is date (1888) has been 120. The first 
officers were: W. F. Howard, N. G.; J. G. 
AValters, V. G.; Jolin A. Cook, Secretary; D. 
H. Boget, Treasurer. 

Those holding official places in 1888 were: 
B. L. AVatson,'N. G.; A. F. Meier, V. G.; 
W. F. Christopher, Treasurer, and W. H. 
Helm, Secretary. The order is active and 
has a good many of Shelby's best business 
men among its members. The lodge room, 
situated over Christopher's harness shop, is 
well furnished and kept, ranking with any 
town of its size in Iowa. 

Rehecca Degree, I. 0. 0. jb^., was instituted 
October 1, 1886. The charter officers of the 
society were: John Burwell, N. G. ; Mrs. J. 
H. Helm, V. G. ; Mrs. A. Jones, Secretary; 
Mrs. B. Watson, Treasurer. 

The present officers (1888) are: Mrs. A. 
Jones, N.G. ; Benjamin Watson, V.G.; John 
Burwell, Secretary-; M. F. Myers, Treasurer. 
This order has a membership of forty per- 
sons, and is in a flourishing condition. 

The Good Templars Lodge, No. 230, of 
Shelby, Iowa, was instituted August 1, 1887. 
The first officers were: J. H. Helm, W. C. ; 
Mrs. J. P. McEwen, Vice; Ed Abbott, Sec- 
retary; Mrs. J. H. Helm, Treasurer. Atone 
time this society numbered seventy members, 
but at present only enjoys about thirty-five, 
in good standing. The present officers are: 
Will Osborn, W. C; Mrs. J. H. Helm, Vice; 
Mrs. A. Curry, Secretary; Mrs. J. P. McEwen, 
Treasurer. 

The Iowa Legion of Honor, Shelby LLodge, 
No.lO, was instituted August 4, 1881, by J. 
H. Helm, who lives at Shelby, and is acting 
as general agent for the Legions of Honor 
for Iowa, having served in such capacity for 
four years. The first officers were: W. F. 
Cleveland, President ; Thomas Chatburn, 
Vice; George H. Rink, Secretary; J. D. 
Caughan, Treasurer. Tiie officers now holding 



are: S. P. Silliman, President; H. W. Helm, 
Secretary, and JSI. Jasper Jones, Treasurer. 

Dick Yates Post, Grand Army of the 
ItepubliG, No. 36^., Shelby, Iowa, was mus- 
tered October 1, 1884. The charter members 
were: S. W. Taylor, Commander; D. C. 
Cooper,Vice-Commander; William H.Brown, 
Jr. Vice-Commander; L. W. Osborn, Quar- 
termaster; Otho Means, Chaplain; F. M. 
Keeney, Adjutant; W. A. Babb, Officer of 
the Day ; Thomas Brown, Officer of the Guard. 
The remainder of the charter members were: 
T. C. Hendricks, George W. Cennedy, J. S. 
Dee, M. H. Skinner, F. S. Hubbard, C. II. 
Best, J. D. Cunningham, E. C. Anderson, 
James Hawkins, J. K. Smith. 

Atone time the post numbered forty nine, 
but at present is forty-four. They meet at 
the Odd Fellows Hall. A drum corps, most 
of whom belong to this post, are of much 
service to the order. 

The officers of 1888 are: W. H. Brown, 
Commander; Thomas Brown, Senior Vice- 
Commander; C. H. Best, Junior Vice-Com- 
mander; F. M. Keeney, Adjutant; Dr. L. 
Benham, Surgeon; Otho Means, Chaplain; J. 
L. Buckley, Quartermaster; M. T. Keeney, 
Officer of the Day; F. S. Hubbard, Officer of 
the Guard; J. V. Watson, Sergeant-Major; 
J. S. Dee, Quartermaster-Sergeant. 

THE POST-OFFICE. 

The postoffice at Shelby was established in 
1869, with J. W. Campbell as first post- 
master; he was succeeded by James Garmong, 
H. Harrod, J. H. Shively, who served eight 
years under Presidents Grant and Hayes. 
The present incumbent is I. D. Prouty. The 
first money order issued from Shelby post- 
office was dated October 1, 1877, by Luther 
Doty, for the sum of $2.20, payable at Iowa 
City, Iowa. Up to November 1, 1888, there 
had been issued 11,384 postal money orders. 



270 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF 1888. 

Shelby is located in the midst of one of 
the richest farming sections of Iowa, and 
enjoys an excellent trade, and is one of the 
best of markets for grain, corn and live stock. 
The business interests of the place in 1888 
were in the hands of live, energetic men, as 
follows : 

Abbott & Cooper, grain dealers. 
Bank of Shelby. 
Benedict, C. R., loans. 
Benham, L., physician. 
Benham, L. A., proprietor Shelby House. 
Blotcky Bros., (Joseph and Solomon), gen- 
eral store. 

Boune & Morton, furniture. 

Boyden, C. H., pumps and windmills. 

Burwell, John, painter. 

Bushfield, Mrs. T. M., dressmaker. 

Carline & Buckley, contractors. 

Central House, M. Graham, proprietor. 

Christopher, W. F., harness-maker. 

Cooper, D. C. & Co., hardware. 

Cox, H., carpenter. 

Davis & Co., druggists. 

Davison, Thomas, carpenter. 

Dee, J. S., live stock. 

Dow, J. & Co., grain elevator. 

Esty, John F., painter. 

Fancher, C. H., attorney. 

Fancher, Mrs. C. H., music teacher. 

Foster, H. C, photographer. 

Gabriel, Rees & Co., lumber. 

Garmong, W. P., hardware. 

Heilig, Enoch, blacksmith. 

Helm, J. H., life insurance. 

Hills, Ward H., general store. 

Jones, N. Jasper, physician and surgeon. 

Keeney, F. M., live stock. 

Kostelecky, Charles, livery. 

Loomis, J. F., farm machinery. 

Ludden, A., apiarist, and boots and shoes. 



McCombs, Z. H., blacksmith. 

McCown, W. M., justice of the peace. 

McDonald, Miss M. L., milliner. 

Means, O., insurance. 

Meier, Ferdinand, restaurant. 

Mickey, T. C, blacksmith. 

Miller, F. A., live stock. 

Moore, L. L., barber. 

Morgan, J., meat market. 

Penn, C. W., livery. 

Pickett, A. J., mason. 

Pomeroy, John, Publisher jVews. 

Pomeroy & Pierce, general dealers. 

Reed, H. D., station agent C. R. & P. Ry. 

Shelby Roller Mills, J. "Wolkey, proprietor. 

Sieffert & Wiese, lumber dealers. 

Sievers, H., wagon maker. 

Smiley, J., physician. 

Sunier, Emil, baker. 

Ward, F., dentist. 

Ward & Campbell, drugs. 

Watters, P. K., live-stock. 

Wiese, P., general store. 

Winters & Morgan, live-stock. 

Worth, F. A., grocer. 

The milling interests of the place are in 
the hands of the proprietor of the Shelby 
Roller Mills, which is one of the two mills 
located within Shelby County. Its history 
dates back to 1878, when J. W. Chatburn, 
the pioneer miller of southwestern Iowa, 
came to Shelby and built a burr flouring mill 
operated by steam-power. It was a large 
mill, and was completed in February, 1879. 
In January, 1884, he sold to J. Wolky, who 
remodeled the plant, and converted it into 
what is known as a combination mill, having 
two runs of burrs and five sets of rollers, 
giving a capacity of seventy-five barrels per 
day. He managed it in all about tlireeyears, 
and sold to the present owners, Fred. Craigg, 
John Lenhard and C. H. Fancher. The 
original mill cost Mr. Chatburn $16,000. 



HWTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



277 



IRWIN. 
Irwin is a flourishing village in Jefferson 
Township. The plat, which is situated on 
sections 31 and 32, township 81, range 37, 
was tiled for record June 6, 1881. It is on 
the banks of the Nishnabotna River, and is 
an important station on the Kirkinan branch 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Eailroad. 
It is fourteen miles northeast of Harlan, and 
in 1880 had a population of 250. It was 
named after E. W. Irwin, whose family were 
among the lirst people who settled in the 
northeastern part of the county. Tiie place 
was first known as Tibbittsville. 

The first to engage in business was E. J. 
Kimball & Son, who opened a general store 
in 1879, two years prior to the coming of 
the railroad, which was graded in 1880 and 
completed in 1881. 

The first to deal in hardware was E. J. 
Trowbridge, in 1881. The stock passed 
through different hands, and at present be- 
longs to E. M. Huntington. 

The first to deal in furniture was W. 
Granger & Son, who commenced in the 
spring of 1882. Harmon & Bumphrey dealt 
in furniture in 1883 and 1884. 

The first to deal in agricultural implements 
was J. H. Dudley, but the stock is now in 
the hands of E. M. Huntington, in connec- 
tion with the hardware business. 

The pioneer lumber dealers were Derrick 
Brothers & Lainpson, who opened a yard 
in 1881. They sold to S. II. Bowman in 
1883. In 1882 the Green Bay Lumber 
Company engaged in the sale of lumber, and 
in 1888 purchased the stock of Mr. Bowman, 
and are now the sole dealers. 

The first grain buyer at Irwin was Louis 
Bechtell, who erected an elevator. Hancock 
& Company also built and elevator. The 
second dealer was N. B. Stevens & Co., 
whose elevator was destroyed by fire in 1884, 

28 



and rebuilt. This, with the residence of 
Harry Irwin, which was burned in the fall of 
1885, is the only property lost by fire in the 
village. 

E. W. Hoyt built a hotel known as the 
" Ogdeu." This was the first hotel, and was 
among the first buildings erected. It is now 
called the Redinon House, and is managed 
by G. W. Redmon. 

The first harness-maker in the village was 
E. A. Bigelow. At present this trade is rep- 
resented by H. W. Muldoon. 

The first man to wield the sledge and blow 
the glowing forge, as a blacksmith, was 
Charles Franks, who with Polling & McCon- 
nell are the present blacksmiths; the latter 
named also do wagon work. 

The millinery business was first represented 
by Miss Mary Fogarty. At present it is in 
the hands of Miss Anna Cooper. 

The Bank of Irwin was established in the 
fall of 1884. H. Humphrey is the cashier. 
The bank does a general loan and insurance 
business. 

The first practicing physician was Dr. I. 
M. Harsh, who located in 1879. The present 
physicians of Irwin are Dr. S. H. Waters and 
Dr. W. S. Branson. 

The first to deal in drugs was J. A. 
Harmon, who came in 1881, and still con- 
tinues. Branson & Granger engaged in the 
drug trade in June, 1883, and are still in 
trade. Dr. Branson, of this firm, has prac- 
ticed medicine since 1882. 

Samuel Kimball started the first livery 
stable in 1882; it is now operated by Peter 
Will. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established at this point in 1879, and 
first called Tibbettsville, in honor of William 
Tibbetts. The first postmaster was G. B. 
Thompson; then came D. S. Irwin, J. C. Pj- 



278 



HISTOliY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



per, W. W. Gibbs, H. D. Lacey, E. J. Trow- 
bridge and J. A. Harmon, the present incum- 
bent, who took the office in 1886. It became 
a money-order office in August, 1882, the 
first order being granted to Thomas Bras, 
payable at Chicago, for the amount of $13.75. 
Tlie full number of orders issued up to No- 
vember 13, 1888, was 3,711. 

SCHOOLS AND CHUECHES. 

The people of Irwin may well be proud of 
the record they have made in attempting to 
sustain schools and churches. The town be- 
ing small, each denomination has found hard 
work to keep up their distinct organizations 
in religious affairs, but all have contributed 
as far as possible toward such work. The 
first school-house was built at an expense of 
$500, raised by private subscriptions. This 
served until 1884, when a public school-house 
was erected at an expense of about $3,700. 
It is a two-story frame structure, having four 
rooms, two of which are now in use. Two 
capable instructors are employed at present. 

The religious societies of Irwin are the 
Campbellites, United Presbyterians and 
Methodists. 

The Methodist Society belongs to the 
Kirkman Circuit, and was organized in 1881, 
with fourteen members. They have held 
services at private houses and in the Town 
Hall. Their present membership is about 
sixty-five. Rev. Fausett, who resides at 
Kirkman, preaches once in two weeks at 
Irwin. 

The United Preslnjterian Socictxj was 
formed at an early day, but the organization 
was perfected in 1885, when a church edifice 
was erected at a cost of $1,800, which seats 
about 250 persons. The membership is about 
thirty. At present they have no regular 
pastor or services. It is a missionary point, 
having never made a call for a pastor on their 



own account. The society owns a neat par- 
sonage, costing $800. The first who served 
as minister for this people was Rev. Turner, 
who remained a year and removed to Kansas. 
The CampbelUte Society was organized in 
1886, with a membership of twenty-four. 
They now number about thirty. At this date 
(November, 1888), they have services once a 
month, the minister in charge at Exira 
preaching for them. 

SOCIETIES. 

The place supports a Masonic, Odd Fel- 
lows, Legion of Honor and Grand Army 
Post. 

Sidius Masonic Lodge, No. 4i4y was in- 
stituted in the autumn of 1883, with nine- 
teen charter members. The first officers 
elected were: AV. W. Gibbs, W. M.; Joel C. 
Woods, J. W.; G. L. Hall, S. W.; George 
Dunham, Secretary: M. Reynolds, Treasurer. 
The lodge now numbers about thirty; they 
meet in a rented hall. The present officers 
are: P. J. Brant, W. M.; J. D. Blades, J. 
W.; W. S. Branson, S. W.; M. Reynolds, 
Treasurer, and O. L. Russell, Secretary. 

Ellsworth Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 4-73, 
of Irwin, was instituted in March, 1883, with 
a membership of thirty-five, of M-hom the 
following were first officers: R. P. Roberts, 
N. G.; E. A. Bigelow, V. G.; D. T. Quinn, 
Secretary; J. A. Harmon, Treasurer. The 
number at present is thirty. The society 
have a well-furnished hall of their own. 

Butna Lodge, No. 137, of Legion of Honor, 
was formed in 1881, with a membership of 
eighteen. E. J. Trowbridge was the first 
president. At present (1888) A. S. Morey 
is president. The order now remains about 
the same in number as when organized. 

J. B. Slack Grand Army Post, No. J36, 
was mustered in 1881, with a charter mem- 
bership of twenty-six; it now numbers twenty- 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



279 



eight, in good standing. They lease a hall 
and own a dozen stands of arms. E. J. 
Trowbridge is the present commander. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1888. 

The commercial interests of Irwin in No- 
vember, 1888, were as follows: 

T. N. Harord, general stock. 

Paulsen & Steenhnsen, general dealer. 

H. R. Allen, general dealer. 

E. M. Huntington, hardware and farm im- 
plements. 

"W. Granger & Son, furniture. 

Branson & Granger, druggists. 

J. A. Harmon, druggist. 

Miss Anna Cooper, milliner. 

Greeu Bay Lumber Company, lumber 
dealers. 

H. W. Muldoon, harness-maker. 

W. S. Branson, physician and surgeon. 

S. H. Waters, physician and surgeon. 

Polling & McConnell, blacksmiths. 

Chas. Franks, blacksmith. 

Peter Will, livery stable. 

H. Humphrey, general insurance. 

Bank of Irwin, H. Humphrey, cashier. 

Frank Humphrey, barber shop. 

D. S. Irwin, attorney at law. 

Hancock & Co., grain dealers. 

N. B. Stevens, grain and lumber. 

Redmon Hotel, G. W. Redmon, proprietor. 

R. A. Owen, restaurant. 

DEFIANCE. 

Defiance is an incorporated town, located 
on section 13, township 81, range 39, in the 
civil township of Union. It was originally 
platted February 20, 1882. It is a station 
on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
road, and is situated on the banks of the 
Nishnabotna River, twelve miles north of 
Harlan, the county seat of Shelby County. 
It had a population of 500 in 1885. 



The first settler was W. J. Williams, who. 
located on the northeast quarter of section 
23. Among the first to engage in trade 
were W. J. AVilliams, C. M. Robins, Samuel 
Reams, Joseph McColl and J. B. S. Case. 

W. J. Williams is still engaged in a gen- 
eral store; C. M. Robins went out of trade; 
J. B. S. Case sold his clothing stock to Her- 
man & Lisle. Easter & Elser, another early 
firm doing a general business, sold to Easter 
& Grace. The old firm of Samuel Reams, 
drugs, has come to be Reams & Son. 

H. B. Sooy came to the place and engaged 
in the farm implement trade, January, 1882, 
and is still engaged in the same. 

Brain Bros., at the instigation of the 
railroad company, erected the Clarendon 
Hotel in 1882, which was run as a railway 
hotel and eating house until dining cars were 
placed on this branch of the Milwaukee sys- 
tem. From that time on the house did not 
pay its owners. Among those who leased 
the property were Messrs. Smitli, Burgess 
aud Whitcomb. The house was closed during 
the greater portion of 1888, but finally taken 
by L. B. Densmore, October 1 of that year. 

The first to deal in grain were Stevens «& 
Fraese, who built an elevator in 1883. 

Tlie first lumber dealers were the Defiance 
Lumber Company, now operating as the 
Green Bay Lumber Company. 

The place was incorporated under the laws 
of the State, in January, 1883. The follow- 
ing is a list of the mayors to the present 
date: II. B. Sooy, J. E. Consigney, H. B. 
Sooy, A. S. Riley, C. M. Robins and J. R. 
Boyd. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established in 1881, with C. M. Robins 
as the first postmaster. The succeeding ones 
were J. B. S. Case and H. J. Brain, the 
present incumbent. It was made a money- 



2S0 



II I STORY OF SUELHY COUNTY. 



order office Augnst 14, 1882. The first order 
was granted to E. J. Argotsinger for $1.25. 
The total number issued to November 8, 
1888, was 2,619. 

SCHOOLS AND CHUKOHES. 

Defiance has never been beliind her rival 
towns in point of educational interest. Be- 
lieving the school-house is of first importance, 
her people have seen to it that good schools 
have been provided. In 1883 a public school 
building was erected. It contains three de- 
partments, each having a teacher. Upon 
approaching this tliriving town, by wagon or 
rail, tiie first object to impress itself on the 
mind of the stranger is tiie fine school and 
chnrcli buildings; they are always a true 
index as to character of a people. 

The religious element predominates, and 
is represented by the Methodist, United 
Brethren, Christian and lloman Catholic 
societies, each having good-sized, comfort- 
able and attractive church buildings. 

The Christian Church was organized at 
an early day, and many of its membersiiip 
reside on farms in the vicinity of Defiance. 
The church proper was formed in 1883. Tlie 
present year (1888) they have erected a new 
chnrch building, at a cost of $1,700. Here- 
tofore services were held in school-houses. 
The present pastor, Rev. O. II. Truman, 
lives at Manning and holds services once in 
two weeks. The church will be dedicated 
November 25. 

The first services held by the Methodist 
Episcopal people were in district school- 
houses, but in 1883 a neat building was 
erected at a cost of $1,700, which comfort- 
ably seats 250 people. The first organiza- 
tion was made up of six members, but now 
comprises a membership of about seventy. 
The first pastor was Rev. Charles Brown; 
following him came Revs. Coe, Douglas, 



Hugh Linn, F. T. Beckweth, and the present 
pastor, F. T. Farrow, who also serves the 
Methodist people at Earling, Panama and 
Buck Grove, all of which, together with 
Defiance, are embraced within the Council 
Blulfs District of the Des Moiues Confer- 
ence. At this date the church owes about 
$200. 

The United Brethren Society at Defiance 
was among the earliest organizations. They 
have a membership of forty-five. An at- 
tractive church was built in 1888, at a cost 
of $1,G00, which was dedicated August 1. 
The structure is 30x50 feet, with a belfry 
8 x 10 feet. The present pastor is F. J. 
Beetley. 

OTHKK SOCIETIES. 

Defiance Lodge, No. 99, of Odd Eel-- 
lows, was instituted October 31, 1884. The 
original ofiicers were: G. A. Mershon, N. 
G.; J. C. Trenor, V. G.; A. J. Spencer, Sec- 
retary; H. B. Sooy, Treasurer. Tliese, together 
with J. F. Londenslager, constituted the 
charter membership. The lodge has num- 
bered forty-four, and is about the same at 
present. They occupy a hall in common 
with the Masonic fraternity. The present 
(1888) ofiicers are: J. R. Wickersham, N. 
G.; J. M. Miller, V. G.; A. S. Riley, Sec- 
retary; H. B. Sooy, Treasurer. 

Guardian Masonic Lodge, No. JfJ^l, was 
chartered in June, 1884, having worked under 
dispensation for about two years prior to 
that date. The following worthy gentlemen 
compose the charter membership: W. J. 
Williams, W. M.; Howard Miles, S. W.; C. 
A. Topping, J. W.; J. F. Massy, Tyler; C. 
M. Robins, Secretary; E. B. Brown, S. D.; 
Joseph Yockey, Treasurer; Frank Massy, J. 
D.; \V. II. Mytinger and Charles Seybold. 
The present (1888) ofiicers are: "W. J. Will- 
iams, W. M.; A. S. Riley, S. W.; S. B. 



II f STORY OF SUE LBV COUNTV. 



281 



M.-issy, J. W.; W. 1'. Sooy, Treasurer; C. A. 
Topping, Secretary; Joseph Yockey, S. D. ; 
John Durkes, J. D.; Ehuer Reams, S. S. ; A. 
G. Meuller, J. S. 

A Good Templars Lodge was formed in 
1887, having a membership of sixty-five. 
Like too many such orders, the interest after 
a few months was not large enough to call it 
one of great value or prosperity; however, it 
still holds a place among other societies of 
Defiance. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1888. 

Bank of Defiance, A. Riley, Cashier. 

Clarendon House, L. B. Densraore, pro- 
prietor. 

H. C. Crawford, hardware. 

Green Bay Lumber Company. 

Leroy Densmore, billiards. 

J. R. Easterly, grocery. 

James Flaugher, blacksmith. 

George A. Fry, grain dealer. 

Fuller & Co., grain dealers. 

George Gibson, livery stable. 

T. B. Hobart, farm implements. 

H. B. Sooy, farm implements, and justice 
and collections. 

Warren Reams, meat market. 

Ream & Son, general store. 

Adolpli Stepanack, harness shop. 

Topping & Fry, druggists. 

Harnen & Lisle, clothing store. 

Easter & Grace, general store. 

II. C. Vanduzer, lumber. 

W. J. Williams, general store. 

The Arffus, edited and owned by F. 
Bangs, is a live local sheet, well representing 
the best interests of the town and surround- 
ing country. For a full account see the Press 
chapter elsewhere. 

VILLAGE OF EARLING. 
'J'his is a sprightly village of 500 people, 
situated twelve miles from Harlan, the county 



seat of Shelby County. It is on the cast 
branch of the Mosquito River, and also on 
the Council Bluffs branch of the great Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Spe- 
cifically, it is located on section 5, township 
80, range 39, and was originally platted Sep- 
tember 1, 1882, by the Milwaukee Land 
Company. Its original name was Marthan, 
but it soon took the name of Earling. 

The first to engage in business was Wen- 
dell Like, who opened a general store during 
the month of September, 1882. Another 
early dealer was a Mr. Mason. In October, 
1882, B3'ers & Eggen started a general store, 
and afterward failed. The next to embark 
in general trade was W. W. Mayseiit & Co., 
who commenced in JSTovember, 1882. They 
are still doing a thriving business under the 
firm name of Maysent Brothers. They carry 
the largest stock in the place. Another quite 
early firm was J. Dickey & Son, general 
dealers, whose stock was destroyed by fire in 
the autumn of 1884, in which about a dozen 
other business houses were consumed, badly 
crippling the business of the new village. 
The first to handle a stock of general hard- 
ware were Kuhl Brothers (Joseph and Peter), 
now owned by Peter Kuhl. August Schunett- 
gen commenced to handle hardware and fur- 
niture in 1886 and still continues, having the 
only stock of furniture in the place. 

The first to deal in farm implements were 
Ford & Sou, in 1883; they also carried on 
blacksmithirig. John Lorge followed in the 
same line of trade. 

The pioneer blacksmith of Earling was 
Frank Naruth, who commenced work at the 
forge in the autumn of 1882, and is still thus 
engaged. 

Fritz Wilkc has been the shoemaker of 
the village from the time it first had a name. 

The livery business was at first conducted 
by B. F. Lawson, who operateil from 1882 



niSTORT OF SHE LB r COUNTY. 



until 1886, M-hen Matt P. Kuhl succeeded 
him, and is still carrying on the business. 

Coenen & Mentzer, of Harlan, were the 
pioneer lumber dealers, and finally sold to 
Theile & Wilwerding, who are still among 
the dealers in lumber and coal. Hesse & 
Hsse engaged in the lumber trade in 1885; 
they also deal in coal. 

The first to deal in grain and live stock 
wereG. H. Doughty & Co., who erected an 
elevator in 1883. About the same time 1). 
H. Huntoon also built a grain elevator, and 
commenced dealing in grain and stock. The 
firm's name now goes as " The Huntoon Com- 
pany." In 1888 Ray & Thode engaged in the 
same business, having a warehouse tlirough 
which their produce is handled. 

As soon as the village was fairly started 
Miss Lizzie Wilwerding opened a millinery 
shop, which she still manages. She is now 
the wife of Frank Theile. 

Among those who have worked at harness 
business may be named John Lorge, Fred 
Fass and Robert Ford. 

John Noonan opened the first meat shop 
in the fall of 1882, and operated the same for 
a year or two, when he was succeeded by 
Wilcox & Koling; their business was de- 
stroyed in the fatal fire of 1884. Bollerman 
& Ford then engaged in the same trade, 
which at present is represented by C. H. 
Bollerman. 

The drug trade of Earling was first started 
in 1883, by Ed C. Brown, wlio in 1886 sold 
to W. K. Brown. After a time he moved the 
stock to Council Blutfs, Iowa. The next to 
deal in drugs was Charles Fhisclie, who op- 
erated a while and then moved to Westphalia, 
Iowa, wliere he is still in drug trade. In the 
autumn of 1888 G. R. Roush put in a good 
stock and is now the only dealer. 

Among the various comers and goers in the 
profession of practicing physicians may be 



mentioned Drs. McKenna, Cassady, Walters, 
and the present physician and surgeon. Dr. 
L. Moser, who came to the place from Coun- 
cil B]ufi"s in the fall of 1888. 

The only commercial hotel of the place is 
the Commercial House, erected in the fall of 
1882, and since managed by its proprietor, 
Frank Hillas, Sr. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established in the month of October, 
1882, with Joseph H. Kulil as postmaster. 
He served until 1884, and was succeeded by 
Ed C. Brown, who was postmaster until 1885, 
when Mr. Kuhl again took the ofiice, having 
received his commission from President Gro- 
ver Cleveland, in June of that year, and is 
still holding the ofiice at this time — Novem- 
ber, 1888. It was made a money -order office 
in July, 1884, the first order, for $10.90, be- 
ing issued to Nicholas Peters, July 27, that 
year. The total number of money-orders 
issued up to November 7, 1888, was 3,339 — 
nearly 1,000 per year. 

SCHOOLS AND CHUECHES. 

The educational and religious spirit has 
ever seemed to be uppermost in this village. 
The large, commodious frame school building 
which stands just over the line, in Union 
Township, is a monument of good sense and 
an index to the educational interest of this 
people. It was erected in 1884. It is a two- 
story frame structure, in which three able 
teachers instruct in a graded system of pub- 
lic schools. 

Various denominations liave used this 
school-lioHse for a place of religious worship. 
The most of the population in both Earling 
and the surrounding country are Roman 
Catholic, who, in 1887, erected a fine church 
edifice, including two school-rooms — the 
second story being used for church purposes. 
Tlie building cost tlie congregation $3,000, 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



283 



and the excellent and large parsonage, built 
in 1888, cost §2,200. The rooms are finely 
finished and are heated by a furnace from 
below. The first services held at Earling, and 
for some considerable time, were conducted 
in John Long's implement house, and in 
other business rooms. At that time this was 
within Westphalia charge and was attended 
by Father Ilummert. It became a congre- 
gation by itself in 1885. At present the 
enumeration is eighty-five families. They 
own a block of land in one of the choicest lo- 
cations within the plat of Earling, besides 
two acres used for cemetery purposes, just 
outside the limits. 

COMMEKCIAL INTERESTS IN 1888. 

The following were the firms doing busi- 
ness at Earling in November, 1888: 

Maysent Bros., general dealers. 

Frank Theile, general dealer. 

Peter Kuhl, exclusive hardware. 

August Schunettgen, hardware and furni- 
ture. 

Lorge Brothers, farm machinery. 

C. H. Bollerman, meat market. 

G. R. Roush, druggist. 

Frank Hillas, " Commercial Hotel." 

Fritz Wilke, shoe shop. 

L. Moser, physician and surgeon. 

Frank Nauroth, blacksmith. 

Matt P. Kuhl, livery and feed barn. 

The Huntoon Company, grain and stock. 

Hesse & Hsse, lumber and coal. 

Theile & Wilwerding, lumber and coal. 

G. H. Doughty, grain and stock. 

Ray & Thode, grain and stock. 

Robert Ford, harness shop. 

Dean & Rethlefren, restaurant. 

Mrs. Frank Theile, millinery. 

Anton Zender, temperance saloon. 

John Loeltz, temperance saloon. 



Joseph H. Kuhl, postmaster and notary 
public. 

PANAMA. 

This is an incorporated town, made such 
in the spring of 1886. It was originally 
platted by the Milwaukee Land Company, for 
railway purposes, May 17, 1882. It is geo- 
graphically situated on section 23, township 
80, range 40, in Washington Township. It 
is distanced twelve miles northwest of Har- 
lan, and about the same distance southwest 
of Defiance, the nearest banking points, aside 
from Portsmouth, six miles to the southwest. 
It is beautifully situated, between two quite 
elevated ridges of land, so common in Shelby 
County, and cannot be seen until one comes 
within a few rods of the town plat, reminding 
one of some of the pretty places in the New 
England States, except the country is void of 
timber. 

The first to engage in commercial calling 
were Wheeler & Kleeb, who handled a general 
stock in 1882. The firm was changed first to 
Kleeb & McCoid, then to Williams & Co., 
who operated a year or so, and then, in 1885, 
became the property of George W. McCoid, 
who still owns it. 

The next to go into trade in the general 
line was George Holderfer, who commenced 
in 1883, remained a year and removed to 
Harlan. Sale & Lake were another firm, who 
commenced operations in the spring of 1884; 
they ran about a year and sold to J. D. Lake 
& Co., who finally closed out to George W. 
McCoid ia 1887. Tiie fourth general dealer 
in Panama was Swenning Bros., who began 
in the autumn of 1886, and is now known 
by the title of Nels Swenning. Then came 
Kleeb & Shoreth, in the summer of 1887, 
with a general store, which is still in opera- 
tion. 

The first to deal in thugs was F. J. Swen- 



284 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Tiing, who located in 1882, and still continues. 
The other drug store was started by Dr. A. 
E. Gregg, in 1888; he simply carries anotEce 
stock of pure drugs, but no general line. 

The hardware trade was at tirst represented 
by a Mr. Ebj in 1882, who operated a year 
or so and then sold to Nels Sw.enning, who 
still carries on the trade. Another hardware 
dealer at present is J. M. I'ieffcr, who left 
his farm in 1888 to enter mercantile business. 

The furniture trade has been handled by 
various parties, in connection with other 
lines, and is now carried on by Nels Swen- 
ning, together with other general stock. 

The lirst to deal in grain and live-stock 
was Louis Shroett. At present D. S. Kin- 
sella runs an elevator. Lassell «fe Crandall 
are also engaged in the same business, but 
only use a warehouse. 

P. B. Hunt sold the first lumber in Pan- 
ama. L. II. Lassell bought the stock and 
handled the same until the fall of 1888, and 
sold to the Green Bay Lumber Company. 

The pioneer harness-maker was E. Lowell, 
who commenced in 1882, but finally quit. T. 
A. Kavanaugh next embarked in this impor- 
tant line, and enjoys the sole trade to-day. 

The first shoemaker, Martin Nager, came 
in 1883. He is now at Harlan, and Panama 
has no shoemaker. 

The first to handle millinery goods was 
Mrs. W. H. Mytenger. Since then a dozen 
have come and got rich (!) and left the town. 
At present the business is well conducted by 
Misses Kleeb & Franklin. 

The first hotel was built in 1883, called the 
Lowell House, after its owner. There have 
been several so-called hotels from time to 
time, but at this date the town sup])orts one 
good house knoM'n as the City Hotel, run by 
Frank Miller! 

The livery business was first represented 
by Kleeb & Chamberlain, but later fell into 



the hands of Frank Miller, who had the mis- 
fortune to have his barn destroyed by fire in 
the fall of 18S6. He only received a hundred 
dollars insurance, but he rebuilt and is still 
running. 

The pioneer blacksmith, who came as soon 
as the town started, was Martin Kwapis- 
zewski, a Polander, who is as thorough in his 
trade as his name is long! He is still 
pounding away at his glowing forge, a highly 
respected citizen of Panama. The other black- 
smith shop of the town is run b}' Fred Konz. 

The wagon shop of Panama was started in 
1882, and is still directed by Casper Oppold, 
who is an excellent workman. 

The first to deal in agricultural implements 
were AVheeler & Kleeb, who sold to W. W. 
Wheeler. Robert Ford also handled such 
goods for a time. At present (1SS8) the 
farm machine business is principally in the 
hands of George W. McCoid. 

The first and present barber is R. H. Story. 

A brick-yard was started in 1886 by L. W. 
Lantz, who makes an excellent quality of red 
brick. 

The town, which was incorporated in 1886, 
has been under the following mayors: L.«H. 
Lassell, C. M. AVilder, W. J. Wicks, A. K. 
Grow and L. H. Thorne. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established in 1882. The first postmas- 
ter was J. W. Kleeb, who was succeeded by 
W. H. Mytenger, in November, 1883. The 
office became a money-order oftice in August, 
1886, the first order being made out for Julia 
Anderson, payable to the Crj'stal Mills at 
Council Bluffs, the amount being $23. The 
total number of orders issued up to Novem- 
ber 12, 1888, was 1,601. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 

Up to 1887 the public school was held in 
adjoining district school buildings and in a 



HISTORY OF tSHELBT COUNTY. 



385 



public hall. At that time a line frame build- 
ing was erected on the high ridge overlook- 
ing the town from the west. It cost about 
$2,000. It accommodates two departments, 
and is the most sightly, commodious build- 
ing in Panama, and bespeaks the good sense 
and intelligence of the town. 

The church organizations are the Roman 
Catholicand Methodist Episcopal, both having 
good church edifices. The Methodist ciuirch 
was built in 1887, at a cost of $2,000. The 
society was organized in 1885, by Rev. Linn. 

The Catholic church began operations in 
Panama in 1885, having formerly belonged 
to the "Westphalia church. They have a liouse 
of worship costing $1,600, and have a mem- 
bershipof twentj-iive families. Father Joseph 
B. Hummert is the present pastor. 

The Mormons have quite a settlement in 
this vicinity, and hold occasional services, 
but have no regular society. 

The only civic society in Panama is a be- 
nevolent order known as the Ancient Legion 
of Honor, which was formed in 1888. There 
are about twenty-five members at present. 

A big flouring mill was moved from 
De Witt, Iowa, to Panama, in 1883, and was 
conducted until the autumn of 1888, when 
it was removed to Darlington, Missouri. 

The town is made up of live, energetic 
business men, who never do things by the 
halves, even to the ratification of a Presi- 
dential election, as one of the dealers there 
said when Harrison was elected, "We will 
paint the town more than red!" This, of 
course, was from the Republican portion of 
the place. 

PORTSMOUTH. 

Portsmouth is situated ten miles from the 
county seat, Harlan, directly west, and is on 
sections 16 and 17, township 79, range 40. 
The plat was filed August 17, 1882, by the 



Milwaukee Land Company. Tiie land was 
originally owned by William Williams, who 
sold to the railroad or land company. Tlie 
railroad is the Council Iiluft's branch of the 
great Milwaukee system, and is the only road 
through Portsmouth. 

The first general dealer of the place was 
P. J. Korth, who sold the first goods in Sep- 
tember, 1882. About the same time Burtis 
& Waiters put in a general stock, but sold to 
J. H. Pingerton in 1886, who finally removed 
with the stock. 

The first hardware was sold by O. C Bet- 
terman in the fall of 1882; he continued 
until 1887, and sold to Jacob Korth, who 
still remains in trade, carrying a fine line of 
hardware and stoves. 

Tlie first to sell drugs were Kuhl & Dohr- 
mann, in 1882. They sold to A. O. Mudge. 
The second drug store was opened afterward 
by Charles Dohrmann, of the above firm. 

The first practicing physician was Ur. A. 
E. Noon, who came in 1882, and who sold 
his practice or left it with the present physi- 
cian. Dr. Charles Teske. Other physicians 
have come and gone. 

The only furniture dealer is J. C. Pfeifer, 
who came in 1882, and still follows the same. 

The pioneer agricultural implement dealer 
was George Battey, who commenced in 1882. 
He sold to Korth & Wehr. Sims Bros, next 
engaged in the same line, but the firm is now 
Sims & Houghton. 

Lumber was first sold by Henry Dohr- 
mann, but he was succeeded by Korth & 
Wehr. 

George Battey engaged in grain and live- 
stock business in 1882, and later on Sims & 
Houghton. 

The pioneer harness-maker was George 
Laffiin, who sold to Ilammess Bros., and in 
1886 they to L. F. Kellogg & Co., who still 
carry on tlie business. 



236 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



The first blacksmith to wield his hammer 
in Portsmouth was Charles Miller, who later 
sold to Charles Peck, and he to Max Stolz, 
who is still one of the two blacksmiths — 
John Hammer, who came in 1887, being the 
other. 

William Strauss, the barber, located in 
1884, and is still thus engaged at Portsmouth. 

Matt Peterson opened the first meat mar- 
ket in 1883, and sold to Rankin & Co.; this 
market is now controlled by William Rankin. 

It may here be recorded that P. J. Korth 
built the first residence in Portsmouth, in 
July, 1882. 

The first to engage in the hotel business 
vv'ere J. A. Kortli & Co., in 1882. They built 
what was termed the " Portsmouth House," 
which was sold in 1883 to James Murtough, 
who still conducts it. 

The Bank of Portsmouth was opened in 
1884 by D. F. Paul, and is still doing a fine 
banking business. 

The first to engage in the livery business 
were J. F. Adams, who sold to John Leinen, 
and he to Frank Hammes. The business 
now belongs to M. Hammes. 

The pioneer millinery store was opened by 
Misses Flagler & Harter. At present Mrs. 
W. C. Strauss transacts this branch of busi- 
ness. 

A public hall was built in 1884, during the 
skating-rink craze, for rink purposes. It is 
36 X 80 feet. It was built by J. L. Birk, but 
now belongs to C. L. Peck. It is used for all 
public gatherings and is a fine-looking build- 
ing, nicely sided and painted. 

The village was incorporated in 1883. The 
first mayor was A. W. Sims. The present 
mayor is I. E. Houghton. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established in 1882 with George Walters 
as first postmaster. In 1886, lie was suc- 



ceeded by P. J. Korth, who is the present in- 
cumbent. It became a money order office in 
1886, the first order being issued to S. T. 
Thompson for $60 payable to Lears Jackson 
of Story City, Iowa. The full number of orders 
issued up to November 12, 1888, is 694. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 

The present condition of the public schools 
at Portsmouth is very good. A two-story 
fine frame school building was erected in 
1886, having two departments. It cost about 
$2,500, and is of an excellent style and well 
furnished. The present principal is U. L. 
Bailey. 

The two churches represented in the town 
by regular organized societies are the Roman 
Catholic and Methodist Episcopal, each of 
which has good church property. The Method- 
ist people, in 1885, erected a neat structure 
suitable to the size of Portsmouth, costing 
$500. Its size is 28 x 46 feet. The society is 
very small, having five members when first 
organized, and at present it is only double that 
small number. It certainly speaks well for 
the " faithful few" who thus seek to uphold 
the Standard of the Cross. 

The Roman Catholic Church at this point 
began its work about 1876, when three fami- 
lies, named Korth, Herkenraft and Linan, set- 
tled about two miles east of Portsmouth. In 
1878 they built a church, under direction of 
Father Weber, of Westphalia. It was situ- 
ated on the sightly ridge, and the place was 
for a long time known as " Cologne Settle- 
ment." The congregation was a part of a 
mission belonging to Neola charge, and was 
at first attended by Father Kempker. In 
November, 1885, it received a resident pas- 
tor — Father Hummert. In the summer of 
1886 their church in the country was blown 
down in a wind storm, after which they 
erected one in the town of Portsmouth. It 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



287 



is 30x60 feet with an addition. Tbis con- 
gregation owns three and a half acres of laud 
and a parsonage with six rooms. The church 
is valued at $2,200. The congregation now 
enumerates sixty families. 

In 1882 an Odd Fellows' lodge was regu- 
larly instituted and carried on for some time. 
It had a charter membership of ten and 
reached as high as thirty, but finally they 
fell out by the way and are now disbanded. 

The only destructive conflagration which 
has ever taken place at Portsmouth was the 
burning of Mr. Battey's grain elevator in 
1887. The same was rebuilt that year. 

The only man doing a general merchan- 
dising business in the place, who has been 
identilied with the town from its beginning 
to the present, is P. J. Kortli, who has stuck 
by the old stand, believing in honest dealing; 
he has built up a fine trade. 

THE PRESENT BUSINESS. 

P. J. Korth, general dealer. 

Purton & Helwig, general dealers. 

M. J. McHenry, general dealer. 

Jacob Korth, hardware. 

Charles Dohrman, hardware. 

J. C. Pfeifer, furniture. 

Korth & Wehr, farm machinery. 

Sims & Houghton, farm machinery. 

O. W. Mudge, drugs. 

H. F. Kellogg & Co., harness shop. 

W. C. Straras, barber shop. 

C. L. Miller, wagon shop. 

John Hammerand, blacksmith. 

Max Holtz, blacksinitii. 

Korth & Wehr, lumber dealers. 

George Battey, grain dealer. 

Sims & Houghton, grain dealers. 

James Murtaugh, hotel. 

VILLAGE OF WESTPHALIA. 
This little village derives its name from 
the German province of Westphalia, and is 



situated on section 21 of the township bear- 
ing the same name. It may well be called 
the center and headquarters of the German 
Catholic settlement. A post-office was estab- 
lished in 1875, with Joseph U. Kuhl as first 
postmaster. Following him came William 
Flusche, who served until 1884, and was suc- 
ceeded by the present incumbent, Michael 
Wilwerding. 

The village was platted by Emil Flusche, 
June 22, 1874. The early history of the 
place will be found recorded in the subjoined 
sketch of the German settlement, they being 
one and the same in fact. The present busi- 
ness interests of the village of Westphalia are 
conducted as follows: 

Michael Wilwerding, general store. 

Charles Flusche, drugs. 

John Koliles, general store. 

Joseph Rossenthel, blacksmitli. 

F. Hesse, carpenter. 

W. Hodapp, shoemaker. 

Peter Emig, temperance billiard hall. 

The place was platted June 22, 1874, by 
Emil Flusche. 

The nearest railroad station is Earlins, 
abont five miles to the northwest. A stage 
runs tri- weekly to Harlan, the county seat, 
also to Dunlap. There are about seventy 
inhabitants at the present time. It being 
entirely a Catholic township, the only church 
edifice is the tine brick building at West- 
phalia, costing $16,000. The surrounding 
country is of the richest soil in Shelby 
County, and is all well imi)roved. 

THE (JERMAN CATHOLIC SETTLEMENT. 

One of the most tlioroughly prosperous 
portions of Shelby County is that territory 
embraced in Westphalia Township (except 
the northern tier of sections), and sections 
24, 25 and 36 of Washington Township. It 
is what is known as the German colony, but 



288 



HISTORY OF SHE LET GOUNTT. 



more properly termed the German Catholic 
settlement, the history of which is as follows: 
On March 1, 1872, A. H. Kettler made a 
contract with the railroad land company, by 
which he had full control of all lands within 
"Westphalia Township, then known as Sum- 
ner Township. The object, as agreed upon 
in the terms of said contract, was that a 
colony be formed at once. Mr. Kettler was 
to receive 50 cents per acre commission on 
all lands sold to actual settlers, and an equal 
amount was to go toward tlie Catholic church, 
as it was understood that the settlement was 
to be confined to German Catholics. An- 
other stipulation was tliat Mr. Kettler was to 
have forty settlers within the township on or 
before eighteen months from date of contract. 
September 1, 1872, Emil Flusche came from 
Grand Kapids, Michigan, in response to a 
newspaper advertisement published by the 
founder of the colony. He built the first 
house, situated on section 23. The next set- 
tler was Joseph Flusche, who came from 
Minnesota, October 14, 1872. About a 
month later Charles Flusche came from 
Grand Rapids, Michigan. In November of 
the same year Herman Schwarte built the 
second house in the settlement, on section 26. 
On the 16th of March, 1873, there came 
from the province of Westphalia, Germany, 
August Flusche, Emil Zimmerman and John 
Kueschenberg. Among the next settlers were 
William Flusche, an elder brother, and their 
mother and aunt, Clara Foldmann, the bride 
of Charles Flusche, also John Zimmerman 
and family, who built the third house, the 
same being situated on section 22. May 28, 
1873, Rev. John Kemker, of Council Bluffs, 
Iowa, arrived and conducted the first mass 
service at the residence of Emil Flusche, on 
section 23. The same day he also blessed 
the first marriage ceremony in uniting as man 
and wife Charles Flusche and Clara Feldmann. 



Other early settlers were Frank Hesse and 
Richard Schneider, who came from West- 
phalia, Germany. In the autumn of 1873 a 
house of worship was provided. It stood 
where the priest's house now stands. No- 
vember 6, 1873, the land company, by repre- 
sentatives, J. L. Drew and a Mr. Van Tyle, 
came to the settlement and transferred the 
agency of the colony to Emil Flusche. 

Among others who came from Germany 
in 1873 was the family of Mr. Sasse, also 
that of Mr. Hendichs. In the spring of 
1874 came Joseph Blum, Peter Kaufmann 
and the families of Messrs. Kuhl, Loehr, 
Frund and others, from Fond du Lac, Wis- 
consin. 

On the 13th of April, 1874, the settlers 
elected as their representatives Joseph H. 
Kulil, Fred Loehr and Mathias Frund, who 
perfected the township organization of West- 
phalia, named after the province of same 
name in Germany. The same year the first 
school building was erected on block 8, 
town plat of Westphalia; the priest's house, 
18x36 feet, which is now used as part of the 
school building, was also built. The first 
school board was duly elected March 1, 1875- 
The officers were: Joseph F. Kuhl, Presi- 
dent; August Kemmerich, Secretary. Mr. 
Kuhl was the first township clerk, also be- 
came the first postmaster, his commission 
dating from 1875. He was succeeded by 
William Flusche, in 1876, who held the office 
until 1884, when Michael Wilwerding was 
appointed and is still holding the office. The 
first teacher in the settlement was Anton 
Strueder, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is 
now a priest at, or near, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
The first school was opened December 7, 1874, 
with sixteen pupils present. The first priest 
was Rev. John Kemker, who came from 
Council Bluffs once a month. He was fol- 
lowed by Rev. Henbncher, of the same place. 



lIISTOUr OF .SHBLBT COUNTY. 



280 



The third priest was Rev. F. W. Pape. 
These were all of other charges and supplied 
this place occasionally. The first resident 
priest was Kev. Joseph Knepple, who came 
from Sioux City, Iowa, January 7, 1875. He 
was succeeded by Kev. Peter Maly, who came 
April 20, 1877. Following him came Rev. 
J. A. Weber, of Dubuque, Iowa. lie was a 
man of unusual success and held the confi- 
dence of his entire congregation. He went 
to Germany and remained some months on 
account of his ill health, during which period 
Rev. John Cook supplied his place. Rev. 
Weber returned, served the church awhile, 
and in 1886 went to Germany, where he still 
resides. He was succeeded by the present 
priest, Rev. Peter Brommenschenkel, whose 
biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume. 

In 1873 the congregation consisted of five 
persons; in 1874, twenty-four; in 1875, 
225; in 1876 it had 396, all living within 
sixty-eiglit houses. In 1880 the congrega- 
tion had reached 603 persons, or 112 families. 
At this time (1888) the settlement consists 
of 185 families, numbering about 800 persons. 
Up to March 15, 1876, there had been sold 
11,320 acres of land. In the spring of 1881 
Emil Flusche went to Westphalia, Anderson 
County, Kansas, and with his brother founded a 
similar settlement, the object of which, in both 
cases, was to provide a good home and make 
good citizens of all Germans of the Roman 
Catholic faith who might be induced to settle 
at this place. Upon leaving for Kansas, Emil 
Flusche gave the sale of lands in Westphalia 
Township over to his brother, William 
Flusche. 

June 11, 1881, an architect by the name of 
Uerr, of Dubuque, Iowa, came on and marked 
out the foundation lines for a new church, and 
the work of construction commenced June 
18, the same year. The building committee 



was composed of Rev. J. A. Weber, President; 
Emil P'lusche, Joseph Rueschenberg, Frank 
Hesse, Nicholas Muhl, Joseph Schmitt and 
Michael Wilwerding. The structure is of brick 
and stone, and is of a most beautiful and per- 
fect design, and is a monument to the good 
judgment and taste of the gentlemen who had 
charge of the work. The building, exclusive 
of furniture, cost $16,000, and seats about 500 
people. The total value of church, furniture, 
lots, etc., is placed at $30,000. Of this amount 
$4,000 was received from the sale of lands, 
the remainder provided by the people. The 
first service was held in the new church Oc- 
tober 22, 1882, and November 15, of the same 
year, the church was dedicated by Right 
Rev. Bishop John McMullen, of Davenport, 
Iowa. In 1884 Father Weber built the lirst 
parish school-house, and also the Sister's 
house, which is still in use, though under- 
going repairs from time to time. 

The settlers of this so-called colony are all 
Germans, formerly living in that country, in 
various provinces, including Austria, Poland, 
Bohemia and Switzerland. At present they 
support six district schools, in which both 
German and English are taught. To show 
the industry and frugal management of this 
people, it need only be said that no township 
in Shelby County has so few farms mortgaged 
and less delinquent taxes than Westphalia. 
The land is already taken up by actual settlers, 
and ranges from $35 to $50 per acre — higher 
by far than in most parts of the county. The 
farmers are well-to-do, and make their money 
principally from corn and live-stock. A con- 
gregation of a few families at Harlan belong 
to this charge also, and are cared for by the 
priest at Westphalia. 

The local history of this settlement speaks 
of the obstacles which the pioneers had to 
encounter and overcome, among which items 
it is record that the winter of 1874-'75 was 



290 



HISTOllY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



exceedingly severe, and many cattle were 
frozen to death; also the grasshopper raid of 
August, 1876, which destroyed some of the 
growing crops. Another hard winter was 
1880-'81; snow fell in the month of October, 
and did not melt away until the following 
April. It is related that when the first house 
of worship was being built, the country was 
so new, there were so few houses, roads or 
other land-marks, that a piece of 2x4 scant- 
ling was erected on the site where the church 
was to be built, in order to guide those who 
were hauling their first load of ilumber, 
stone or other material for the buildino:. See 
sketch of the present pastor elsewhere in this 
work. 

KIRKMAN. 

Kirkman is a village, platted in Novem- 
ber, 1880, situated on section 22, township 
80, range 38, in Jefferson Township. It is 
seven miles northeast of Harlan, the county 
seat, and is the present terminus of the Kirk- 
man branch of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway. It is situated on the Nishuabotna 
River, which is the crookedest stream in all 
Iowa. 

The history of this village dates back to 
1880-'81, when the railroad was constructed. 
The first house. built was the ''Kirkman 
House," erected by Moses Woods, and now 
managed by James Robins, who purchased it 
in 1888. 

The first dealer was J. B. Stutsman, a pio- 
neer merchant of Council Uluffs, who located 
at Kirkman in the fall of 1881. He soon 
became a member of the firm of Kuhl, Much- 
ler & Stutsman. Another early firm in gen- 
eral merchandise was Howland & McEwen, 
who failed in business. 

Graham Bros, sold the first hardware in 
the spring of 1883. The firm is now Gra- 
ham &, Ottawa, doing a general merchandising 



trade. D. Jessup embarked in the grocery 
trade in 1884, and finally failed. 

The first to sell drugs was James French 
(the present county auditor), who was also 
the first postmaster. He lost his stock of 
goods by fire. The present drug dealers are 
Dr. Palmer and Dr. Guthrie. 

The first blacksmith of Kirkland was Hans 
Sanber, who, with Will Sharp, came in 1888; 
they are the present workmen in that line. 

Harmon Peacock has followed wagon-mak- 
ing from the earliest date of the village. 

A man named Needles bought grain at 
first. The business then fell to Burk & Gra- 
ham. An elevator was built by Mr. Fergu- 
son, who died in 1888, the property passing 
into the hands of John Schroggs, who still 
controls it. When the place was first started 
it had lumber yards. In 1888 the Green 
Bay Lumber Company absorbed the two yards 
remaining at that time. 

THE POST-OFFICE 

was established in 1881, with James W. 
French as the postmaster. Following him 
came David Carter, who succeeded him Janu- 
ary 1, 1888. It was made a money-order 
office July, 1884. The first two orders do not 
appear on the records of the office, but the 
third one was issued to B. F. Lancaster, for 
the amount of $20. Up to November 14, 
1888, there had been just an even 2,000 
money-orders issued from the Kirkland office. 

The only religious society of the village is 
that of the Methodist Episcopal Clnirch,which 
was organized in 1881, with a membership of 
thirty persons. They now double that num- 
ber. A good church was built in 1883, at a 
cost of $1,500. They now have sei vice only 
once in two weeks, Rev. Fausett dividing 
his time between Kirkman and Irwin. 

An excellent school building was erected 
in 1883, at an expense of $2,200; it is a two- 



niSrORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



291 



story frame structure, divided at present into 
two departments, each having a teacher. 

THE PRESENT BUSINESS. 

The following were the active dealers op- 
erating at Kirkman in November, 1888: 

John Doran & Co., general stock. 

J. O. Closter, general stock and farm im- 
plements. 

Graham & Ottawa, general stock. 

Dr. Palmer, drugs. 

Dr. Guthrie, drugs. 

Green Bay Lumber Comp'y, lumberdealers. 

John Scroggs, grain elevator. 

Burks & Graham, grain elevator. 

James Robinson, proprietor hotel. 

Mrs. Closter, millinery goods. 

F. P. Oldfield, barber shop. 

David Carter, postmaster. 

David Rodman, harness-maker. 

Hans Sanber, blacksmith. 

Will Sharp, blacksmith. 

Harmon Peacock, wagon- maker. 

Robert Steen, liveryman. 

David Coster, meat market. 

CORLEY. 

This is a small village, situated on section 
9, township 78, range 39, in the civil town- 
ship of Fairview. It is the only station on 
the Harlan branch of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad between Harlan 
and Avoca, being about six miles south from 
the former named place. It is surrounded 
by one of the finest agricultural portions of 
Shelby County. Its early history is as fol- 
lows: Thomas McDonald, who afterward 
served two terms as county treasurer of 
Shelby County, was a soldier during the civil 
war, and in 1868 he, together with comrades 
named James Casey, D. E. Corley, Oen 
Curren and another gentleman, purchased six 
hundred acres of land in this vicinity, all in 
one tract. Later, through various deals, the 



whole became the property of Mr. McDonald. 
He was a man of much influence and great 
public spirit, being one of the prime movers 
in inducing the Rock Island Railroad Com- 
pany to construct their Harlan branch, which 
was completed December 1, 1878. Mr. 
McDonald purchased and cultivated- 250 
acres of his land, commencing in 1868; yet 
he resided in Harrison County until 1873, 
when he moved his family to the homestead 
which they still occupy. He opened the first 
general store in January, 1881. He was 
also the first postmaster, having obtained an 
office as early as 1878. Unfortunately for 
his family and the people of his county and 
town, Mr. McDonald was suddenly called 
from earth, dying at the noontide of manhood, 
aged thirty-eight years. After his death his 
wife was appointed postmistress until 1884, 
when she resigned in favor of Mr. Albers, the 
present incumbent. Mrs. McDonald had 
twenty-two acres of her husband's landed 
estate platted in June, 1883, the same beinw 
now known as Corley on the plat books. The 
general store opened by Mr. McDonald, and 
later controlled by his widow, was finally 
sold to Albers & Thompson, which after 
awhile passed into the hands of Mr. Albers, 
who continued until 1886 and then closed 
out and opened another general store on the 
opposite side of the railroad track, where he 
is still engaged and keeps the post-office. 
Charles Yogt opened a general store in Feb- 
ruary, 1888. 

The first to deal in grain at Corley was 
Willard Noble, who was manager for a Mr. 
Somes, of Amboy, Illinois. The business 
then went into the hands of Noble Brothers, 
who finally sold to Hodson & Hancock. An- 
other elevator firm who came when the place 
was new is Weise & Severs. They built an 
elevator in April, 1888. 

F. M. Gillispie sold the first lumber in the 



'29-i 



HltSTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



fall of 1882. It is now handled by the Green 
Bay Lumber Company, who took the business 
in 1886. 

D. Rickson erected a boarding house and 
saloon in 1883, and still conducts the board- 
ing house, the saloon business going with the 
advent of the prohibitory law! 

As a shipping point there are but few 
towns in Shelby County, if any, that handle 
more grain and live-stock than does Corley. 
It being quite near to the county seat (Har- 
lan) the place has never grown much, farm- 
ers depending on it only for staple articles. 



BOTNA. 
According to the county plat book this 
place was platted by the Western Town Lot 
Company, August 21, 1884, and was called 
" Rochdale," but the post-office name, as well 
as railroad station, is known as Botna. It is 
simply a flag station on the Kirkman branch 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. 
There is a post-office and one general store; 
the proprietor, S. B. Fritz, also buys grain 
and stock. Its geographical location is the 
east quarter of the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 3, township 81, range 37. 





^.Q.Myy<2^/ 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 




^ON. C. J. WYLAND.— We all have a 
^M) part to perform in the drama of life. 
^M The race is made, the outcome de- 
termined, our destinies decided, just in pro- 
portion to our opportunities, endurance and 
ability. These are the marks that distinguish 
the successful man from the man tiiat fails 
and falls. Let us take a glance backward to 
the year 1851, and picture a train of emi- 
grant wagons slowly coursing their way 
through swollen streams and undefined path- 
ways, destined for Shelby County, Iowa, the 
land of promise. In this way our subject, 
together with his brother William and his 
estimable wife, his three voun^^er lirothers 
and his youngest sister, made their journey 
from Elkhart County, Indiana, the father 
having previously visited Iowa, entering 
large tracts of land, a portion we mention as 
being the southeast quarter of section 36, 
township 80, range 38, near Bowman's 
Grove. Having leased this land, C. J. Wy- 
land settled here. In this wild, new country 
he sought to provide a home for the younger 
members of his father's family, until they 
should be old enough to care for themselves. 
That this plan was well carried out, those 
younger children, all living but one, can 

24 



truly testify. Tiie family chain was broken 
by the death of Jasper N., who died at Du- 
val's Bluff, Arkansas, in 18G4, while a soldier 
in the Union army. At the date of Mr. 
Wyland's coming to Shelby County, the 
nearest railroad point was Marengo, Iowa 
County, to which point he made several trips 
for supplies. That was the most western 
point on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
line. On these long, tedious trips he camped 
out, as there were very few hotels; and had 
there been many, money was too scarce to be 
thus Expended. Notwithstanding these trips 
were often in bad weather, and over trails 
where thei-e are now well-improved highways, 
and over swollen streams long since spanned 
by iron bi'idges, yet the remembrance of tliem 
still has a pleasing charm, mingled with toil 
and beautiful romance. While those early 
days were hard ones, they were not without 
their joys, for there has ever been something 
attractive about a new country, and Mr. Wy- 
land is of that type of manhood which sel- 
dom broods over toil or even misfortunes, 
but always sees the bright side on the darkest 
day. On April 11, 1801, he was unite<l in 
marriage to Miss Amanda II. Dunnington, a 
native of Kentucky. Soon after his marriage 



296 



ni8T0RY OF SUELBY COUNTY. 



he built a house on laud adjoining that of 
his brother William, and removed to it. The 
lumber used in the construction of this house 
was hauled by him from Boonesborough, 
Boone Coiinty, a distance of 100 miles, some 
of it costing $100 per 1,000 feet. It would 
almost go without the saying that he smoked 
few cigars at that time, however well he 
seems to enjoy one now. He did chew, how- 
ever, and it is related of him that as a means 
of economy he used to chew the weed until 
most of the virtue had been extracted, and 
then laid it away in some secret place to dry, 
after which he would smoke it in a cob pipe, 
unless some one of the other boys had appro- 
priated it to his own use. In speaking of 
these early days, Mr. Wyland says, in his 
jolly, good-natured way, '< "Well, we used to 
have good times even though we did have it 
a little tough. Everything in the way of 
provisions seemed common stock in the neigh- 
borhood, and by general consent was divided 
among all. When flour was out at one 
neighbor's, another volunteered a supply; in 
other words, when one neighbor went to mill 
the whole settlement was sure of flour. But 
occasionally all would get out at the same 
time, and then they would change their diet 
to middlings, which was middling good until 
pure flour could be obtained." Among the 
curious customs of pioneer milling was that 
of the customer cutting and carrying with 
him a small load of wood to grind his own 
wheat; and not infrequently he was cheated 
out of his turn by some other fellow slipping 
a quarter of a dollar into the hand of the 
honest (?) miller, which would result in the 
tirst man having to haul a second jaf of 
wood before he could get liis grinding done. 
In 1867 Mr. Wyland moved to the saw-mill 
at Bowman's Grove, and operated it for a 
year; then he moved back to his farm. In 
1871 he was nominated for county treasurer 



on the Democratic ticket, for this has always 
been his party, and was elected. He then 
moved to Harlan and took possession of the 
office January, 1872. He was a faithful otHcer, 
accounting for every farthing entrusted to 
his care. He was re-elected in 1873, again 
making the county an efficient officer. During 
his first term of office there was no bank 
nearer than Council Bluff's. As the county 
provided no way to keep the money safe from 
the hands of thieves and robbers, except the 
official bond required of the treasurer, it often 
became a ve.xed question how to keep the 
funds safe from marauders. It was the duty 
of the treasurer to have the various funds for 
roads, schools, etc., on hand the first of April, 
when a greater portion of the ta.xes were col- 
lected. So it not infrequently happened that 
he was compelled to bring from $15,000 to 
$20,000 from Council Bluffs; then much of 
this large amount had to be kept in readiness 
for the different townships for two or three 
months, during which time the money was 
stored away in a secret place, not exactly a 
vault, but a place Mr. Wyland will not men- 
tion now, for fear of making some of the 
early settlers feel badly because they did not 
know it at the time. In the spring of 1872 
Mr. Wyland, in company with his brother, 
D. M. Wyland, who came back from Council 
IJlufls, where he had been engaged in a bank- 
ing house for some time, formed a partner- 
ship in the land-office business, as C. J. & D. 
M. Wyland. They bought the business of 
Adams & Sharp, who were then located in 
the building now occupied by Miss Duu- 
nington as a millinery store. D. M. had tiie 
management of the office, while C. J. looked 
after outside matters. They soon outgrew 
their quarters, and moved a building, 14x16 
feet, to the lot upon which their present fine 
bank building stands. From real-estate busi- 
ness they gradually advanced to loaning, and 



BloaRAI'UWAL .SKKIVJIKS. 



297 



finally to banking, when their extensive busi- 
ness again deniamled more spacious rooms. 
In 1880 they erecteii their present buiUling; 
the bank is a private concern, known as the 
Bank of Harlan. To mark the popularity of 
C. J. Wyland in the county where he has 
undergone so much privation and lived to see 
such marked improvement, it only need be 
said that his services as county treasurer for 
two terms, his election to the Iowa Legislat- 
ure in 1883, and his re-election in 1885, 
have proven him a man of ability and un- 
tarnished reputation. No man has been more 
active tlian Mr. "Wyland in encouraging ad- 
vancement in public improvements. It was 
he, together with other leading spirits, who 
organized the company which finally induced 
the JIarlan branch of the Rock Island Ivail- 
road Company to build a line into the county. 
Every commercial interest has felt liis force 
as an organizer. Mr. "Wyland was born on 
tlie old Wyland homestead, known as "Wy- 
land Mills, in Elkhart County, Indiana, June 
22, 1836, where he grew to manhood, having 
the usual school advantages and experiences 
of most country lads. In those days the 
school-house was built of logs, with tiie flat 
side of a slab for a seat, while the teacher 
occasionally touched the pupil up with a 
strap simply to remind him of the routine of 
a country school. From the age of ten to 
sixteen he worked on his father's farm, and 
for the next five years was a hand, first on 
the farm, then at the mill, wherever his serv- 
ices were of most value. From 1855 to 
1860 he was engaged in superintending a 
mill of his father's. The following year he 
came to Shelby County, as before noted, 
where he has been an important factor in the 
settlement and development of his adopted 
land. Whatever his success may have been, 
his admirable wife is not without her share 
of credit, for her part was bravely borne in 



times when privations were common and the 
foundation was being laid for better days. 
She was the daughter of Alexander and 
Lovisa (Sellers) Dunnington. To Mr. and 
Mrs. "Wyland were born six children — Arthur 
Ferry (deceased), Stella, Jay, Jessie, Grace 
and Hoy. Mr. "Wyland is a member of ilt. 
Zion Commandery, No. 49, K. T. ; Olivet 
Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M., and Parian 
Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M. He is a 
quiet, unassuming gentleman, possessing the 
secret of wiiming friends and keeping them. 
In politics he is firm and immovable. In 
business circles he takes rank with the most 
substantial men in the State. And so closes 
the remarkable an<l unsullied career of one of 
Shelby County's leading men. 

-H^y. ^ n ; . ? ..-.. 



f'UDCIE JONAS W. ClIATBURN, pro- 
prietor of the Harlan Mills, has been 
prominently identified with the interests 
of western Iowa since 1850. He is a native 
of England, born in Lancasliire, March 11, 
1821, and a son of Thomas and Margaret 
(Ingham) Chatburn, natives of the same 
place. At the age of fourteen years ho was 
apprenticed to a machinist, and served an ap- 
prenticeship of three years, after which he 
served an apprenticeshi|i of seven years in 
calico printing. Judge Chatburn was united 
in marriage, December 25, 1843, to Miss 
Mary Burton, a native of Lancashire, Eng- 
land, and a daughter of George and Jane (Fos- 
ter) Burton. In the spring of 1845 they 
emigrated to America, sailing May 12, in 
the vessel Genesee of liath, and arrived in 
New York, July 2, lb4o. They went to 
Frankfort, Pennsylvania, five miles from 
Philadelphia, where our subject engaged in 
the priiitingbusiness at the Tackawanna print 
works, where he remained one vear. He then 



298 



niSTORT OP 8UELBY GOUNTT. 



went to New Jersey, to the pine woods on 
the Rancocus River, and repaired a steam 
saw-mill, which hernnforsix months, having 
his wife and two children in tlie green woods. 
He then returned to Frankfort, and the fol- 
lowinw summer run the enirine in a woolen 
factoiy at Grubtown, Pennsylvania. He re- 
mained here about a year and then went to 
Philadelphia, and run out the insurance on a 
large steam engine, for Sutton & Smith; here 
he remained a year and a half, and in April, 
1850, came west, starting with a company of 
about 100 people, with the intention of going 
to Salt Lake City. They went by the Penn- 
sylvania Canal to Pittsburg, thence down 
the Ohio Eiver to the Mississippi, thence up 
the Mississippi to St. Louis by steamboat, 
and from there to a trading post on the Mis- 
souri River, about seven miles below the 
present site of Council Blufls. On the trip 
up the Missouri River, the boiler of the en- 
gine burst; there were 300 passengers on 
board, and an immense amount of freight; 
the engineer was unable to repair the boiler, 
and things were being prepared to float the 
boat back to St. Louis, when the captain 
called Mr. Chatburn to him, and requested 
him to examine the boiler; he did so, re- 
paired it, and in less than twenty-four hours 
the boat was on her way. Mrs. Chatburn is 
a member of the Latter Day Saints church, 
and when she learned that jolygamy was in 
vogue in Utah, she refused to proceed further; 
so they settled in Iowa. Mr. Chatburn pur- 
chased a claim near Council Bluffs from a 
man who was going to Utah, and located 
there; he worked at various things until he 
went to Mills County, and entered a saw-mill, 
where his early training as a machinist served 
him a good turn. In 1853 he went into Har- 
rison County, and entered 100 acres of land, 
near the place where Magnolia now stands; 
he was the first person to drive a wagon 



across the place where Magnolia now is. He 
began to improve the land, and in 1854 bnilt 
the first mill in Harrison County. It was an 
up-and-down saw-mill, on Willow Creek, near 
Magnolia. Not being pleased with the idea 
of going forty miles to get corn ground, Mr. 
Chatburn conceived the idea of taking two 
small stones from the prairie, commonly 
called boulders, and dressing them down for 
burrs; then the question arose, where the 
belt was to be procured. He had a dried 
cowhide which he soaked and cut in strips 
to make a belt; the mill was put in running 
order, and the first night the wolves came 
and devoured the belt. Mr. Chatburn then 
sawed a walnut log and hauled his lumber to 
Kainsvilleand traded it for harness leather, of 
which he made another belt for his mill, and 
to this rude mill people came from points as 
far distant as the place where Sionx City now 
stands, and would remain a week to get their 
grinding done. In the manutacture of the 
first flour in Harrison County Mrs. Chat- 
burn's veil was used as a bolting cloth. In 
18G2, in company with Thomas Davis, Mr. 
Chatburn erected a large mill near Woodbine, 
which he managed in connection with his 
farming pursuits, until he came to Shelby 
County, in August, 1866; he settled in Har- 
lan, and lived in the school-house until he 
could erect a residence. In 1867 he built 
the first mill in Shelby County, which he con- 
tinues to manage; he also built a mill in 
Shelby, and controlled the two for about three 
years. While in Harrison County Mr. Chat- 
burn served as judge and justice of the peace; 
he was also a member of the board of super- 
visors from its organization, and was presi- 
dent of the board when he left the county. 
He has served as supervisor in Shelby County, 
and has held the oftice of coroner for many 
years. He is an elder in the church of the 
Latter Day Saints, and is now presiding 



BIOGIiAPUW.lL SKETCHES. 



299 



elder of the Harlan branch. Judge and Mrs. 
Chatbiirn are the parents of seven children, 
si.\ of whom survive — -Thomas, of Independ- 
ence, Missouri; Jane, the wife of John Bur- 
chain, of Shelby County; Mary Ellen, tlie 
wife of Wallace W. Wood, of Harrison 
County; Margaret Ann, the wife of John 
Chatburn, of Idalio; Cisley J., the wife of 
A. D. Tinsley, of Iowa; George R., principal 
of the Portsmouth, Nebraska, schools, and a 
graduate of Ames College; and one child who 
died in infancy. JudgeChatburn is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M., Harlan Lodge, No. 321; 
Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mt. Zion Com 
mandery. No. 49. Politically, he was formerly 
an old-line Whig, casting histirst vote for John 
C. Fremont, and was one of the organizers of 
the Republican party. The first corn Judge 
Chatburn planted in Harrison County he 
carried from Kainsville on his back; as the 
waters were very high in the streams he could 
not take his team, so he started on foot after 
seed corn, a trip of seventy-five miles. He 
bought one-half bushel, paying $1.50 for it, 
and carried it on his back thirty-seven miles. 
He waded water for miles south of where 
Missouri Valley is located, and the water was 
half-leg deep where the city of Missouri Val- 
ley is now located. 



►>»J- 



5,^.,<[E0RGE PAUP.— It is not often that 
i. one beholds the spectacle of ambitions, 
not ignoble, fully-realized, and yet this 
vision is sometimes vouchsafed to mortals, 
even in western Iowa. The subject of the fol- 
lowing biographical sketch furnishes us with 
one example of this character. George Paup 
is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York 
County, May 9, 1833. He is a son of Daniel 
and Lydia (Clark) Paup, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, of German extraction. His early life 



was spent on a farm and in a mill; his edu- 
cation was received in the pi-imitive log school- 
house with slab benches. He resided at hotne 
until his marriage, which occurred in 1861, to 
Miss Sarah Ham, a native of Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of Jared Ham. Soon after 
his marriage Mr. Paup, with very limited 
means, started to Iowa. He came to Cleveland 
by railroad, thence by lake boat to Chicago. 
From Chicago he traveled sixty miles by 
railroad to Savannah, and then by steamer to 
Bellevue — -the Journey having consumed 
three weeks. When he landed at Bellevue 
his capital had diminished to 20 cents. He 
left this point and started to Andrew, the 
county seat of Jackson County; there he 
went to work at 50 cents per day. His wife 
remained in Andrew, and he woi'ked at 
farm work all the fall and winter, and took 
his pay in produce. His first modest desire 
was to own a farm of eighty acres, and with 
this in view the weather was never too severe 
for him to be about his work. In the spring 
of 1853 he was fortunate to have a yoke of 
oxen given him by a friend; he then rented 
ten acres of ground, which he sowed in 
wheat, the seed being the pay for his fall and 
winter's work. Besides putting in his crop 
he worked every day with his team, and 
when the little harvest was reaped he hauled 
it to Bellevue and sold the wheat for 
25 cents per bushel. This was the first 
money he had received since coming to the 
State. If we were to go back to this period 
of Mr. Paup's life, this is the picture we 
would see: A mere boy with his young wife 
hundreds of miles from his native home, liv- 
ing in a little round-log cabin, with what 
the pioneer will recognize as a stick and clay 
chimney, with no floor, except what Mother 
Earth furnished, struggling to get a home of 
his own. For two years he rented land from 
his neighbors, who, Mr. Paup realizes, were 



300 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



very generous, and assisted him iu every 
way possible. In 1854 he made his first 
purchase of eighty acres of wild land for 
$100; this he paid for by breaking prairie 
for other people. Iu the meantime he had 
traded Lis yoke of oxen for two yokes of 
steers. By hard work he paid for his land in 
two years, and by close attention to his pur- 
suits he was soon able to add to his posses- 
sions sixty acres more, which he fenced and 
improved. He then sold out with the inten- 
tion of going to California, but on reaching 
Iowa City he changed his mind and engaged 
in land and live-stock trading until 1853. He 
then purchased what he has since called his 
home farm in Clinton County; the nucleus 
of this home place was eighty acres, and he 
has added to it until there arc now 460 acres 
in a high state of cultivation. In 1864, in 
connection with his agricultural industries, 
he engaged in shipping stock, which he con- 
tinued until 1881, and was known as the most 
successful sbipper in tbat section of country. 
By his first marriage Mr. Paup had four chil- 
dren — Leslie, of Kirkman; George, on the old 
home place in Clinton County; Horatio and 
Harrison, both of Lincoln Township. His 
first wife died in 1873, and he was again mar- 
ried, to Miss Julia Brumbaugh, a native of 
Pennsylvania. In 1881 Mr. Paup came ta 
Shelby County, leaving George in charge of 
the homestead. Leslie purchased a farm 
fifteen miles from Denison, which was almost 
in a wild state; he afterward sold out to the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Pailroad, and 
Manilla now stands on the ground. He then 
bought the place known as the Kibby farm, 
of GCO acres, supposed to be the best farm in 
the county. When he retired from farming 
Mr. Paup settled in Harlan, where he has a 
pleasant, comfortable home in which to spend 
the remainder of his days. Mrs. Panp is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



Mr. Paup's political inclinations lie very de- 
cidedly in the direction of the Republican 
party. From a very small beginning Mr. 
Paup has increased his property to a fortune 
of no mean dimensions, besides assisting his 
sons to excellent homes of their own, and he 
is an exception to humanity in general in 
this, that he is well satisfied with the results 
of his exertions, and is one of the contented 
few who desire no more. 



1^ B. KEES, a native of Venango County, 
Pennsylvania, was born August 19, 
* 1835; he is a son of George and JSancy 
(Benn) Kees; he was reared to farm life and 
received his education in the common schools 
and in an academy. When he reached his 
twenty-first year he came to Iowa, and located 
at Sabula, Jackson County, Iowa. He resided 
there five years and learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed during his stay in 
Jackson County. For ten years after leaving 
Jackson County, he spent his time in carpen- 
tering, farming and school-teaching. From 
Jackson County he emigrated to Clayton 
County, near the county seat; while there he 
followed farming and school-teaching. He 
was married December 25, 1860, to Miss 
Martha Patterson, daughter of John and Jane 
Green Patterson. She was born in February, 
1838. In 1865 they removed to Boone Coun- 
ty, Iowa, near Prairie Hill post-otiice. Here 
he followed carpentering three years, and then 
engaged in the mercantile business, near 
Perry, Iowa. He remained at this point two 
years and tiien went to Perry with his stock 
of goods; after one year's sojourn in Perry 
he sold the business and moved on a farm in 
Greene County, Iowa. He remained here 
until December, 1881, when he removed to 
his present home, in section 32, Douglas 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



301 



Townsliip. His first purchase was 210 acres 
of partially improved land; he has since 
hrought it into a fine state of cnltivation; he 
now owns 570 acres of improved land in 
Douglas, Greeley and Polk Townships. Since 
his residence in Shelby County he has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits alone. When 
residing in Greene County he was elected to 
the board of commissioners. He enlisted 
in the United States service in 1865, but was 
never mustered into the service. He is a 
live, energetic man, who labors for the country 
and the welfare of those around him. He 
is a liepublican, always taking an active part 
in the movements of the party. He is presi- 
dent of the Farmers' Alliance of Shelby 
County, an association formed March, 1886. 
He is also vice-president of Shelby County 
Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Kees are the parents of 
seven children — George S. resides near Defi- 
ance, Iowa; Clarence H., at home; Sarah J., 
deceased; Lettie A., deceased; Lillie M., John 
F. and Edward, at home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kees are worthy and consistent members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church at Harlan, 
Mr. Kees being an ordained local deacon in 
that church. 



' 3"S ' |" '»°' 



N. BUCKMAN comes of Quaker par- 
entage. He is a native of Philadelphia 
'* County, Pennsylvania, born January 
21, 1838; is a son of William and Sarah 
(Cooper) Buckman. He was reared in his 
native place and spent his early life on a farm, 
receiving his education at the Friends' school 
at Wrights town until the age of eighteen, when 
lie entered the State Normal school at Millers- 
ville, afterward taking a course at Bryant & 
Stratton's Business College, Philadelphia. 
A portion of his time since leaving school 
has been spent in the profession of teach- 



ing. In May,1861, he enlisted in Company C, 
Third Pennsylvania Ileserves, under Colonel 
Sickle, serving until October 1, 1865 ;hc fought 
in quite a number of battles; among the most 
noted were the seven days' battle of McClel- 
lan's army before Ilichmond, the siege of 
Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Fort Fisher and 
Bentonville. He enlisted as a private and 
was promoted step by step until he was made 
captain, and finally brevetted major of volun- 
teers by President Lincoln for " gallant and 
meritorious services in the field." His horse 
was killed under him at Deep Bottom, where 
the slaughter far exceeded that at the famous 
"charge of the Light Brigade;" but there 
was no Tennyson to immortalize it. Out of 
eighteen officers in his regiment that went 
into the fight, thirteen were either killed or 
wounded within fifteen minutes after the bat- 
tle began. He lost another horse in the Fort 
Fisher expedition. After his return from 
the United States service he settled in Phila- 
delphia, where he engaged in business for 
two years; he then came west, spending one 
year in Nebraska. In 1869 he came to Iowa, 
locating in section 18, Douglas Township, 
Shelby County, on the farm he now owns. 
Here he has made himself a home; he im- 
proved his land, adding to it until he now 
owns liO acres, which is chiefiy devoted to 
grass-raising. He has experimented largely 
in fruit-growing, and has now an apple or- 
chard of 400 trees and five acres of grove. 
Mr. Buckman, since his residence in the 
county, has devoted himself to farming and 
teaching. From 1873 to 1877 he was countj' 
superintendent of schools, holding the first 
Normal Institute in the county during the 
first year of his superintendency. He has 
held most of the township offices, especially 
those connected with the educational interests 
of the county. He has had to umlergo must 
of the hardships incident to pioneer life, com- 



UISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



ing, as he did, in the early liistory of the 
county. He was married January 31, 1867, 
to Emma V., daughter of William Hurst- 
She was born October 10, 1839, and died May 
29, 1882. Four children graced this union; 
two died in infancy: Willie and Grace are at 
liome, Grace being a teacher in the public 
schools. Mr. Buckman married again De- 
cember 27, 1888, to Amanda T., daughter of 
W. A. and Mary (Jones) Blane; she was born 
in Perry County, Pennsylvania, October 16, 
1858. Two children have been born of this 
marriage — Mary (deceased) and Warner. The 
family are consistent members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church at Kirkman. Mr. 
Buckman is a member of A. F. & A. M., 
Parian Lodge, No. 321, and of the G. A. K. 
Post at Harlan. He is the present secretary 
of the P'armers' Mutual Insurance Company 
of Shelby County, Iowa, being one of the 
active promoters in the establishment of this 
institution in the county. He also assisted 
in the organization of the Shelby County 
Agricultural Society, serving as the first sec- 
retary, and tilling that office for several years. 
He is now the president of that association. 



►^Mj- 



IjARLOS C. EEDFIELD, of Harlan, is a 
native of Connecticut, born in Say brook, 
April 3, 1837. He is a son of AVilliam 
and Dency (Chittenden) Redfield, natives of 
Connecticut, and of English ancestry. Will- 
iam Iledlield, the father of C. C. Redfield, 
was the fifth child of Orrin Redfield, who 
was born at Chestnut Hill, Connecticut, May 
31, 1807, and followed farming in his native 
State. He was married November 26, 1835, 
to Miss Dency Chittenden, a daughter of 
Joseph and Dency Chittenden, who was born 
in North Madison, Connecticut, October 80, 
1812; she was of English ancestry. They 



were the parents of two children: Carlos C, 
and Ellen Maria, wife of Giles A. Bushnell, 
of Say brook, Connecticut. William Redfield 
departed this life July 5, 1876; his widow 
still survives and resides with her daujihter. 
Orrin Redfield, the grandfather of Carlos C, 
was born at Killingworth, Connecticut, on 
the homestead. Chestnut Hill, June 25, 1779, 
and was the second and youngest son of 
Josiah Redfield. He was married in March, 
1796, to Miss Rachel Grave, of Killingworth, 
Connecticut, who was born February 24, 
1769. He died December 31, 1861; his 
wife died April 21, 1850. They were the 
parents of ten children, six of whom lived to 
maturity. Josiah Redfield, the great-grand- 
father of Carlos C, was born at Chestnut 
Hill, Killingworth, Connecticut, September 
6, 1730, and was the seventh son of Theoph- 
ilus Redfield. He was married December 8, 
1757, to Miss Sarah Parmelee, a daughter of 
Lemuel and Sarah Parmelee, who was born 
August 19, 1734. He died August 6, 1802, 
and his wife died August 25, 1808. By this 
union there were four children. Theophilus 
Redfield, the oldest son of James Redfield, 
was born in 1682, probably at S.iybrook, Con- 
necticut. He was a joiner by trade, and 
probably settled in Killingworth soon after 
coming of age. About 1717 or 1718 he 
purchased 120 acres of land on Chestnut 
Ilill, North Killingworth, and there estab- 
lished the Redfield homestead. December 24, 
1706, he was married to Priscilla Greenel 
(or Grinnell), the daughter of Daniel and 
Lydia Greenel. They were the parents of 
thirteen children, all of whom lived to be 
married and have families. He died Feb- 
ruary 14, 1795, and his wife died January 
12, 1770. James Redfield (or Redfin), the 
only son of William Redfield, was born in 
1646. The place of his birth is not known. 
He was bound to the tanner's trade lor five 




iA^'^OJ.^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



303 



years. He resided in various places, and 
finally settled in Saybrook, Connecticut, in 
May, 1609. He was married in New Haven, 
Connecticut, to Miss Elizabeth How, a daugh- 
ter of Jeremy How, by whom he had three 
children. She died, and he was again mar- 
ried, to Deborah Sturgis, by whom two chil- 
dren were born. William lledtield (or Red- 
fin) was probably one of the early emigrants 
from England to the colony of Massachusetts 
during the decade of years following 1630. 
He had two children. Carlos C. Redtield 
was reared on a farm, and received an aca- 
demic education. He remained with his par- 
ents until his majority, after which he 
engaged in steamboating for three years 
between Hartford and Sag Harbor. At the 
breaking out of the late civil war the vessel 
on which he was employed was chartered by 
the government. This boat carried the mail 
three times per week, from Fortress Monroe 
to Cherry Stone Creek, for two years, and 
exchanged prisoners. Out of a crew of 
thirty Mr. Redtield and two others were all 
that came back with the boat. He left the 
service at Philadelphia, and for a year was 
unable to do anything on account of disease 
contracted while in the service; he did not 
recover from the effects of this for over twenty 
years. Mr. Redtield engaged with William C. 
Hough & Co., as bookkeeper in the cotton mill 
at R.ockville, Connecticut. At the expira- 
tion of one year he was appointed superin- 
tendent, which position he tilled for three 
years. In 1870 he came to Iowa, and settled 
in Shelby County. He purchased an unim- 
proved farm in Harlan Township, a portion of 
the land also lay in Lincoln Township, which 
he immediately began to put in a state of 
cultivation. In connection with his farming 
pursuits he engaged in various avocations, 
among others was the running of an express 
line between Harlan and Avoca before the 



railroad was built. Mr. Redtield served as 
clerk of Harlan Township fur ten years. He 
has been appointed deputy sheriff three 
terms, and for two terms he tilled the office 
of sherifi" — appointed by the board of super- 
visors. He was tirst appointed justice of the 
peace in 1884, and that fall was elected to 
the office. He was re-elected in 1886 as an 
independent. He served as secretary of the 
agricultural association for four or five years. 
He was appointed assistant commissioner by 
Commissioner Herbert S. P^airall, to the 
World's Fair at New Orleans, in 1884. He 
took great interest in this work, making two 
trips to New Orleans. In 1880 he took the 
census of Harlan and Harlan Township. Mr. 
Redfield was married to Miss Dora King, of 
Rockville, Connecticut. By this union one 
son was born — -Clarence. Mrs. Redfield died 
in 1865 In 1866 Mr. Redfield was again 
married, to Miss Sarah Buckland, a native of 
Windsor, Connecticut. By this union one 
child was born — Elbert B. Mrs. Redtield is 
a member of the Congregational church. In 
politics Mr. Redtield is independent. 

lal III ? » ^ ( i g ^ ^ Hi ia> 



A. COLLINS was a man of decided 
character, who, though not one of the 
■® earliest settlers of Shelby County, did, 
by his untiring energy, enterprise, and broad, 
liberal views, become more closely identified 
with the people of this county than most 
men of longer residence. Possessing ample 
means, he came into the county in 1871, and 
purchased an excellent tract of land in Shelby 
Township, brought it to a high state of cul- 
tivation, made it his home, and took especial 
pleasure in entertaining a very large circle of 
friends and acquaintances, who enjoyed his 
hospitality. Mr. Collins was born in Penn- 
sylvania, January 31, 1810, being a descend- 



304 



BISTORT OF SHELBY GOUNTT. 



ant from the old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. 
His mother could not speak a word of Eng- 
lish. He was raised in the mountainous dis- 
trict of his native State, and being inured to 
the hardships incident to that period, he grew 
to manhood possessed of splendid health, and 
a magnificent physique. He was endowed 
with a well-balanced mind, and possessed 
an unusual amount of good common sense. 
His father died when he was quite young. He 
was raised by an uncle, who brought him up 
to the trade of a tanner. November 12, 1833, 
in his twenty-third year, he was married to 
Nancy Ann Farkhiser, and there were born 
to them eight children, four sons and four 
daughters. Soon after his marriage Mr. Col- 
lins embarked in tlie tanning business for 
himself upon rather a small scale. A few 
years after he formed a partnership with Jesse 
Grant, father of General Grant, and for twelve 
years they were associated together in making 
and selling leather. In the meantime they 
built a large steam tannery on the Ohio 
Eiver, and as the western country grew and 
developed they opened a wholesale store in 
Galena, Illinois, then the Chicago of the West, 
for the sale of leather, saddlery, hardware, 
shoe findings, etc. In 1853 the firm of Col- 
lins & Grant was dissolved by mutual con- 
sent, Mr. Collins continuing in the busi- 
ness with his two older sons, under the firm 
name of E. A. Collins & Sons; they had 
branch stores at Marshalltown and Iowa City, 
and did a very successful business. In 1861 
Mr. Collins closed out his business interests 
and removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he 
resided about two years. He then removed 
with his family to Louisiana, and purchased 
an orange grove in the vicinity of New Or- 
leans, wliere he resided some years. In 1871 
he visited Shelby County, purchased a 1,000- 
acre tract of land, named it Deer llidge Stock 
Farm, and devoted his time to improving and 



developing this place. He stocked it with 
fine blooded cattle, and for several years 
farmed it on quite a large scale; at one time 
he had several head of buffalo and elk on the 
farm. Here it was that his first wife died, 
September 24, 1874, after a long continued 
illness. Mr. Collins married his second wife; 
Mrs. Maria Conn, in 1880, who still survives 
him; there were no children by this second 
marriage. Mr. Collins continued to make 
tliis farm his home until his death, which oc- 
curred in April, 1882, at the age of seventy- 
two years; he left the following sons and 
daughters — John S. Collins, Omaha, Ne- 
braska; E. A. Collins, Jr., Yorkshire, Iowa; 
Mrs. James Franklin, Neola, Iowa, and Mrs. 
W. F. Cleveland, of this county, since de- 
ceased. Mr. Collins was highly respected by 
all who knew him, for his sterling worth and 
undoubted honesty. When death removes 
from our midst such a man as E. A. Collins 
was, the community meet with an irreparable 
loss, but his life aflbrds us an example worthy 
of emulation. 



fAMES HAWKINS, deceased, who was 
the first man to settle at or near the 
present thriving village of Shelby, was 
a native of England, born December 9, 1811. 
When a young man he went to sea, following 
the life of a sailor for many years. He visited 
every port along the coast, both of North 
and South America. He served through the 
Mexican war, and also in the civil war of this 
country. Up to the time of his settling down 
on the banks of Silver Creek, in Shelby 
County, Iowa, his career had been an event- 
ful one, full of stirring scenes and thrilling 
adventures. He entered his land in Shelby 
County in 1855, the same being described as 
section 33, township 78, and range 40, upon 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCnSS. 



305 



which the village plat of Shelby was surveyed 
in 1808-'69. Mr. Hawkins caine to this 
laud to live upon and improve it. In 1865 
lie erected a rude log cabin and lived in it 
until within the past few years, when he 
built a line farm house which he made his 
home until overtaken very suddenly by 
death. He was unmarried and was held in 
high esteem by every one within the circle 
of his acquaintance. He was a man of iirm 
belief in his convictions of right and wrong. 
In his business transactions he was strictly 
upright with all. fie died of apoplexy, June 
24, 1888. 



►>^ 




!;S. A. G. M. WINTERS.— Angie 
t Gertrude Michener, a well-known 
pioneer teacher of Shelby County, 
was born in Morrow County, Ohio, June 16, 
1844. Her father, Daniel Michener, be- 
longed to the Society of Friends, and was 
noted for his genial disposition, his integrity 
of character, and his devotion to the cause of 
education. Death called liim to the other 
side when the subject of this sketch was less 
than two years old. Her mother, Maiy 
(Havens) Michener, was of good Presby- 
terian stock, in whose family ministers and 
physicians predominated. When a child 
Angie G. Winters and her only sister were 
taken by their mother to Indiana, which was 
then considered the wild west, and settlers 
had to endure many hardships. Sciiools 
were fejv and very inferior, but the mother, 
being a woman of unusual ability and liberal 
education, did much for her children to sup- 
plement their limited educational advantages. 
When twelve years old Angie became lame 
from blood-poisoning. When thirteen years 
old her parents removed to Tipton, Iowa. 
Here were better schools, but owing to her 



lameness, which lasted five years, she could 
attend school but little. Always a lover of 
books, she determined not to be left behind 
in the race for knowledge. Studying at home, 
with the assistance of her mother, she kept 
far in advance of other girls of her age, often 
studying hard to divert her mind during 
hours of extreme pain. In quite early child- 
hood Angie determined to be a schoolma'am, 
and as she grew older she realized more and 
more the dignity and responsibility resting 
upon those who mold the plastic minds of 
youth. During her career as a teacher she 
was very conscientious, trying to educate the 
heart as well as the head. Being full of a 
missionary spirit, she did a great deal of 
evangelistic work wherever she tanght school. 
Inheriting a talent for nursing the sick, she 
was in great demand in cases of sickness and 
accidents. One time she was called to treat 
a case of delirium tremens, and another time 
to stop a serious hemorrhage. In the spring 
of 1861 she came to Harlan, where she 
taught her first school in the old brick 
school-house. The wages received were $10 
per month, with the privilege of boarding 
around, a favor not accepted. No two pupils 
had the same kind of text-books; new ones 
could not be procured nearer than Council 
Bluffs, and most of the patrons were too poor 
to buy new ones, so the teaching was princi- 
pally oral. In the fall of 1861 Miss Mich- 
ener began teaching what was known as the 
Waterbury school, in Fairview Township; 
but exposure brought .on rheumatic fever, 
from which she did not recover until the fol- 
lowing June. The next ten years found her 
in the schoolroom. In 1869 Miss Michener 
was united in marriage to Lorenzo L. Win- 
ters, a well-known farmer of Clay Township, 
a genuine Christian gentleman. Being wed- 
ded to her profession as an educator, Mrs. 
Winters continued teaching for two years. 



306 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Her husband then went into business in 
Atlantic, Cass County. Here Mrs. Winters 
took charge of a class in Sabbath-schooh 
superintended a Band of Hope, and taught a 
mission school in her own house. Always a 
strong advocate of total abstinence and equal 
sufirage, Mrs. Winters early identified her- 
self with the woman's temperance move- 
ment. One of the first fruits of the great 
tidal wave of temperance that followed the 
woman's crusade, was the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, in which Mrs. Winters 
was a leading spirit. A writer of some note, 
and having contributed to a score or more of 
papers, a fluent speaker, she now consecrated 
her talent and much of her time to the tem- 
perance cause. This she was enabled to do, 
having j husband in perfect sympathy with 
her, and having no children with whom to 
divide her time and attention. In 1882, when 
the Dakota fever was at its height, Mr. and 
Mrs. Winters bade adieu to Cass County, 
Iowa, and journeyed to the land of the Da- 
kotas. Here they began pioneer life anew, 
living for a time in a sod shanty on a claim 
which was called Glen Rose. In less than a 
month after taking possession, Mrs. Winters 
bad gathered the children from three fami- 
lies, constituting the settlement, into a Sun- 
day-school in her sod house. Fortunately it 
was a large one, for as the country settled 
rapidly the Sunday-school grew accordingly, 
people coming from every direction for miles 
around. For two years she resumed her 
place at the teacher's desk. One winter she 
rode two miles to school, where she would 
have to wait for a fire to be kindled every 
morning, with the thermometer often indi- 
cating twenty-five to thirty-five below zero. 
During all these years she had not forgotten 
the temperance cause, but with tongue and 
pen had done much to advance its cause. Mr. 
Winters' failing health demanding lighter 



occupation, the}' left their ranch and took up 
their residence in Miller, Hand County. 
Here was an organization of the W. C. T. U., 
with which Mrs. Winters immediately united. 
She edited a temperance department of the 
Hand County Republican, and organized and 
superintended a Band of Hope. During the 
local option campaign of 1887, Mrs. Winters 
and a Mrs. Williams, of Miller, wei"e em- 
ployed by the County Temperance Alliance 
to canvass the county in the interests of pro- 
hibition. Their meetings were successful; 
besides the regulation campaign speeches, 
Mrs. Winters gave temperance chalk-talks. 
Mrs. Williams was a fine vocalist, and this 
accomplishment added greatly to the interest 
of the meetings. Soon after Mrs. Winters 
was appointed lecturer and organizer for the 
W. C. T. U., a position of more honor than 
pay. Mr. anl Mrs. Winters, having no chil- 
dren, have adopted two children, a son and a 
daughter, and have given them all the ad- 
vantages possible. Mr. AVinters' health con- 
tinuing poor, they were advised to seek a 
milder clime, so they went to tlie Ozark 
region in western Missouri. In 1888 Mrs. 
Winters gave some temperance lectures and 
chalk-talks in Shelby County. At present 
she divides her time between the care of her 
husband and evangelistic work, hoping that 
at the last it may be said of her, " She hath 
done what she could." 

"-^S^^i-^^ 



[LLIOTT A. COBB, physician and snr- 
I geon, Harlan, has been directly inter- 
ested in the welfare of Shelby County 
since 1880, at which time he came to the place. 
He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wayne 
County, July 1(3, 184:3, and a son of Justus 
and Eliza J. (Morgan) Cobb; the father was 
a native of Pennsylvaniaand of English ances- 



BIOGIiAI'IIICAL SKETCHES. 



307 



try, and tlie mother was a native of New 
York and of Welsh descent. Dr. Cobb was 
only six years old when his parents moved to 
Sandusky County, Ohio, where his youth was 
spent in working on the farm and in attend- 
ing school. At the breaking out of the late 
war he enlisted in the Fiity-tifth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, Company A, going south 
with his regiment. He participated in many 
hard-fought battles; among the more promi- 
nent were McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar 
Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Lookout Mountain, Charge of Kesaca under 
General Benjamin Harrison, Burnt Hickory, 
or Pumpkin-vine Creek, Marietta, Feachtree 
Creek, and at the evacuation of Atlanta. He 
served his country faithfully until the close 
of the war, when he was honorably discharged 
in the spring of 1865. After the war he 
returned to his Ohio home and began the 
study of medicine under the teaching of Dr. 
John B. Rice, of Fremont, Ohio, as preceptor. 
He attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
and graduated from Charity Hospital Medical 
College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868. Dr. Cobb 
then began practicing at Kingston, Illinois, 
where he remained one year; then he removed 
to Richmond, Washingtoti County, Iowa, and 
remained there until 1878, when he entered 
Belle vue Hospital Medical College, New 
York. He graduated from this institution 
in 1879, and then came to Harlan, where he 
has built up a large and successful practice. 
He is a member of the Shelby County Medi- 
cal Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, 
and the American Medical Society. Dr. Cobb 
was first married in 1872, to Miss Martha 
Foster, a native of Ohio. By this union one 
child was born — Clyda B. The mother died 
January 7, 1874. Dr. Cobb was again married, 
in 1883, to Miss Nettie E. Cunningham, of 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By this union three 



children were born, only one of whom still 
survives; this child is named Elliott C, the 
other two died in infancy. The Doctor is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., Richmond 
Lodge, No. 96. Politically he is a Democrat. 

— | - 3 . T > g .... 



ffOIIN A. McINTOSH, a native of Logan. 
I now Todd, Coimty, Kentucky, was born 
April 14, 1806, and is the son of Cor- 
nelius and Sarah (Montgomery) Mcintosh, 
natives of North Carolina; Until heattained 
his seventeenth year he resided in his native 
county. He then emigrated to southern 
Illinois, and thence went to Tennessee, re- 
maining there three years, in Gibson County, 
where he met and associated with Davy 
Crockett. There, in 1826, he was married 
to Miss Susan Boran, a native of Robinson 
County, Tennessee. After six years she died 
leaving three children, one of whom still sur- 
vives — Cornelius G. About tlie year 1840 Mr. 
Mcintosh was married to Miss Nancy Mc- 
intosh, who was born in AVest Tennessee. 
She died in 1846, leaving two children, one 
of whom survives — Malinda. In 1852 Mr. 
Mcintosh married Ids third wife. Miss Ma- 
linda Hunt, who was born in Kentuckv 
March 8, 1830. By this marriage ten chil- 
dren were born — John, William (deceased), 
Jennie, David, Douglas, Virginia (deceased), 
Emma (deceased), Fannie, Minnie, Mago-ie. 
Mr. Mcintosh was reared to farui life, and 
educated in the common schools. Wlien 
about fifteen years old he joined the Baptist 
church, and when he had reached his thirty- 
second year he united with the church of tlie 
Latter Day Saints, being baptized, confirmed 
and ordained. He immediately entered the 
ministry, and has since devoted his time and 
attention to this work. He has traveled 
through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, 



308 



HISTORY OF SOELBY COUNTY. 



Kentucky, Tennessee and Nebraska in the 
interests of the church, and his earnest and 
zealous labors have been crowned with suc- 
cess. He came to Shelby County in 1857 
and located in Grove Township, on seventy 
acres of land; there he made his home and 
reared his family. He organized the society 
of the Latter Day Saints in Grove Township 
in 1859 with a small membership, but the 
church now numbers over 200 members. He 
has organized several churches in this coun 
try, having done more in that direction than 
any other minister now in the society. Mr. 
Mcintosh has done much to elevate the morals 
of the community in which he lives, and is a 
man who is honored and beloved by people 
far and near; everybody has a kind word for 
" Uncle John," as he is familiarly called. He 
has figured very prominently in the political 
history of the county, having held the offices 
of county supervisor and justice of the peace 
for eight or ten years; he also served on the 
school board, and has tilled other minor offices. 
He has always been a staunch Democrat. 



rHOMAS McDONALD.- 



-Foreign coiin- 



•M)& tries have bequeathed to America some 
^' of her best and most brilliant citi- 
zens, and the Emerald Isle has not been 
behind in the quality of her contribu- 
tion to the strong and vigorous growth of 
this country. To her Shelby County is in- 
debted for her greatest benefactor and best 
beloved citizen, Thomas McDonald, now at 
rest, the rest won by a life of tireless activity 
in the interests and welfare of those whose 
lives touched his; and these were not few, as 
will be attested by numbers of citizens of 
western Iowa. Thomas McDonald was a most 
remarkable man; to meet him was to be at- 
tracted to him; to know him was to be won 



as a fast friend, and hearty admirer. He was 
kind and obliging, and possessed the faculty 
of adapting himself to all sorts and condi- 
tions of men, who always found in him the 
satisfaction of their pressing needs. He had 
within him a strong public spirit, ever will- 
ing to sacrifice his own interests to those of 
the majority. In his home he was all that a 
wife and children could desire, and only those 
who have been blessed by the association of 
such a beautifully rounded and perfect char- 
acter can know the loss of the family in his 
death. Thomas McDonald was born in Ban- 
don, twenty miles southwest of the city of 
Cork, Ireland, July 20, 1843. His parents 
came to America when he was four years old. 
They settled in Massachusetts, but remained 
there only a year; they then went to La Salle, 
Illinois, where Thomas resided with his 
parents until he was nineteen years old, when 
he enlisted in the army, pledged to defend 
the flag of his adopted country; he joined 
the Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was Sergeant- Major. He served 
through the entire war and was honorably 
discharged at its close. After the close of 
the war he joined the famous detective service 
of Allen Pinkerton, of Chicago; he spent 
most of his time when in Pinkerton's employ 
in eastern cities, and gave eminent satisfac- 
tion. He quit the service upon his marriage, 
April 24, 18G7, in Chicago, to Miss Mary T. 
Corley, of Arlington, Bureau County, Illinois. 
He then came to Iowa and settled in Dunlap, 
Harrison County, where he resided six years; 
he then settled on his farm of 600 acres, six 
miles south of Harlan, and lived there until 
his death. During his residence in the county 
he filled various offices of honor and trust. 
He was elected county treasurer in 1875, 
and re-elected in 1877. It was due to his 
untiring energy and good management that 
the A. H. & N. R. R. was secured to Harlan; 



B I OOIiAPUlOA A SKETOIJEH. 



■im 



he was president of the company- He laid 
out the village of Corley, his wife's maideu 
name, in 1873. His death occurred at his 
residence in Corlej', December 16, 1881. Mrs. 
McDonald was born in liochester, New York, 
and educated in St. Vincent's Academy, La- 
Salle, Illinois. She is a daughter of Martin 
and Sarah (Bigelow) Corley. She and four 
children survive Mr. McDonald. The chil- 
dren are — Agnes D. Brewer, wife of George 
D. Brewer; Martin E., Thomas C, and Mar- 
tina V. 



If view Township, is one of the old set- 
l*-^!^ lers, having come to the county in 



IfsTILLIAM HOWLETT, Sr., of Fair 

m 

1859. He was born in Korfolk County, 
England, April 28, 1802. He is a son of 
Samuel and Charlotte (Patterson) Hewlett. 
William was the eldest of twelve children, 
seven of whom are living. He was reared on 
a farm, and worked at bricklaying and plas- 
tering — occupations his father had followed. 
He was married in October, 1844, to Miss 
Susan Egelstone, and sailed for America 
April 27, 1855. They arrived in New York 
May 29, 1855. They settled in Chicago, 
Illinois, for a time, where Mr. Hewlett 
worked at his trade. His wife died August 
22, 1855, and one child, August 24, 1855. 
Mr. Hewlett moved to Augusta, Illinois, in 
1857, and worked at his trade until he came 
to Shelby County, Iowa. He moved with a 
team and wagon, and was thirteen days on 
the road. The first months were spent in 
Adams County, and the seasons of 1860 
and 1861 were spent in Audubon County, 
farming. In 1862 he came to his pres- 
ent farm, where he has since lived, first 
in a log house, and later in a good frame 
house. He has worked a good deal at his 



trade, being an expert and experienced work- 
man. His farm contains ninety-three and a 
half acres of good land, a portion of it being 
in timber. There are good buildings for 
stock and grain. Mr. Hewlett was married 
the second time, in October, 1860, to Miss 
Myra Chambers, who was born and reared in 
Tennessee. By the lirst marriage three sons 
were born — Samuel, William, Jr., and Lam- 
bert. The second wife died July 17, 1874. 
No children were born by the second mar- 
riage. He was married to his present wife 
February 17, 1876; she was Mrs. Ruth 
Peterson, whose husband was Samuel Peter- 
son; her parents are Hugh and Keliecca 
(Negley) Leslie. She was born and reared 
in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. She 
came to Davenport, Iowa, when she was fif- 
teen years of age. By this last marriage one 
child was born — Phillis Gertrude, who died 
when one year old. Mr. Hewlett is a Dem- 
ocrat, and has served as township treasurer, 
road supervisor, and on the school board. 
He and his wife are worthy members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Pie is a re- 
spected and valued citizen of the county. 






^Tf^^NDREW PETERSON is one of the 
well-known citizens of Harlan, his res- 
idence there having begun in 1876. 
He was born in Denmark, February 14, 1830, 
and is a sen of Peter and Anna Maria (Chris- 
tiansen) Anderson. He was given the oppor- 
tunity to attend school until he was fourteen 
years eld, and at the age of sixteen he went 
to learn the tailor's trade, which he has 
followed the most of his life. Mr. Peterson 
was married December 26, 1855, to Miss 
Ilansine Nelson, who died in 1872. In 1873 
Mr. Peterson emigrated to America, sailing 
from Copenhagen, via Liverpool, to New 



310 



HISTORY OF SIIKLIJY COUNTY. 



"X 



York. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the par- 
ents of two children. Nels Peter was born 
September 14, 1856. He was sixteen years 
of age wlien he came to America. Before 
coming to this country lie had received a good 
common-school education, and after arriving 
here he attended school in Council Bluifs. 
For a time he was located in Harlan, and 
was a popular young business man. At 
present he is in business in Onawa, Monona 
County, Iowa. He was msirried in Harlan 
to Maria Rasmus. The second child of Mr. 
Peterson is Anna L., born August 27, 1862. 
She is the wife of J. B. Brock, whose history 
appears on another page of this volume. 

iON. WASHINGTON ROUNDY, one 
of the pioneers of Shelby County, was 
born in Onondaga County, New York, 
September 22, 1825. He is the son of Uriah 
and Polly (Lyons) Roundy, his mother being 
a cousin of General Lyons, of Connecticut. 
The father was a native of Vermont, and the 
mother was born in New York. AVashington 
was the fourth in a family of nine children, 
of whom three survive, a brother and sister, 
both residents in Iowa. When he was about 
nine years of age his parents came to Ohio, 
and settled in Cuyahoga County, remaining 
there one year. They afterwards lived in 
Clay County, Missouri; Adams County, Illi- 
nois, and Pike County, Illinois, remaining in 
the last-named place for thirteen years. Our 
subject received his education in the common 
schools, and was reared to farm life. At the 
a^e of twenty-one years he commenced life 
for himself, with nothing but pluck and am- 
bition; however, he was determined to suc- 
ceed; and success has been his reward. He 
was married October 31, 1848, to Alvira 
Williams, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Colo- 



man) Williams, natives of Kentucky, who liad 
removed to Illinois at an early day; there 
they remained until death. They iiad a 
family of thirteen children, of whom Alvira 
was the sixth; she was born in White County, 
Illinois, December 5, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. 
Roundy are the parents of eleven children, 
all of wliom are living — Newton, Polly A., 
wife of William McCole; Sarah, wife of 
James Addison; Adda, wife of William 
Major; Julia, Avife of William Fonts; Rena, 
wife of James Fonts; Ellen, wife of David 
Adamson; Fannie, wife of Freeman Van- 
demark; John W., Mary E. and Adelbert. 
In the spring of 1850 Mr. Roundy, on 
account of ill health, attempted to make a 
trip to California, and pursued his journey 
as far as Council Blufl's; here he was dis- 
suaded from continuing the trip, and remained 
the winter in the Bluff's, then a small village. 
The following spring he traded one of five 
yoke of oxen for 160 acres of land in Grove 
Township; this claim had been taken out b}' 
Frank Rudd, and a rude log cabin had been 
erected on it. Here Mr. Roundy and family 
settled, intending to stay a year or two and 
then go on to California; they were among 
the very tirst settlers in the township, only 
seven other families having located there pre- 
vious to tiiem. The plan to go to California 
was abandoned, and they have ever since made 
tliis their home. They endured all the hard- 
ships encountered by pioneers in those early 
days, and have done their share in building 
up Shelby County from a wild and unbroken 
prairie, inhabited by wolves, deer and elk, 
to a fine, prosperous, enlightened community. 
They have ever extended a hearty welcome to 
the cold and hungry traveler, and have always 
lent a iielping hand to the needy. In sick- 
ness and distress, in joy and health, they are 
ever the same true friends, and they receive 
the affection and respect of the entire com- 




t^C^^ /Ur^^e^y-i^*^^^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCUBS. 



313 



munity. Mr. Ronndy possesses nearly 1,000 
acres of land in Shelby County, GiB of which 
are in his home place. At one time he owned 
over 1,200 acres in this county. lie has made 
many valuable improvements, and has one of 
the finest homes in this part of the county; 
he has commodious barns for live-stock and 
grain, and devotes his time to general farm- 
ing, lie is a staunch Democrat, and strongly 
advocates the issues of the party. In 1887 
Mr. Roundy was elected a member of the 
Iowa Legislature, and has served with credit 
to himself and to the satisfaction of his con- 
stituency. 

••« ' "^ ' I i' i * ^ 



I^OBERT STEEN, a native of Beever 
M^ County, Pennsylvania, born February 
14, 1844, is a son of John and Nancy 
Steen, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was 
reared to farm life and received his education 
in the common schools. Wlieu he was but 
four years old, he came with his parents to 
Mahaska County, Iowa, where he spent his 
life until March, 1879, when he came to 
Shelby County, Iowa. He located about five 
miles northeast of Kirkman, on a farm; since 
that time he has resided in Douglas and 
Greeley townships on various farms for about 
seven years; then he removed to Kirkman; 
since locating here he has engaged in farming 
quite extensively. He owns and manages 
the only livery stable in Kirkman, and con- 
trols the drayage of the town. During the 
threshing season he follows threshing. He 
is one of Kirkman's live business men, and 
is well calculated to fill any branch of busi- 
ness to which he might be called. He is a 
man of honor and integrity, and is one of 
Shelby County's most worthy citizens. He 
was married P'ebruary 19, 1869, to Sarah A., 

daughter of John and Lucinda McDowell; 
as 




she was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
June 18, 1852. They are the parents of seven 
children — Reuben R., Mattie, Lucinda, Latla, 
Netta, Emma and Mable. Mr. Steen is an 
active supporter of the Democratic principles. 

^'V*^"^^*-'-~ — 

1 R. WESTROPE is the proprietor of 
Pine Valley Stock P^irm, Harlan 
Township, Shelby County. He is a 
native of Morgan County, Illinois, born Sep- 
tember 2, 1825, and is a son of Abner and 
Sallie (Ashbrook) Westrope. He was live 
years of age when his parents removed to 
the wilds of La Fayette County, Wisconsin; 
here he grew to manhood and was educated 
in the district school, situated four miles 
from his home. He was married April 8, 
1848, to Miss Sarah Ann Huntsman, of La 
Fayette County, Wisconsin. In 1849 Mr. 
Westrope went to California, overland; he 
was five months on the road, and remained 
two years engaged in mining; he returned 
home via the Isthmus of Panama, and New 
Orleans, making the trip in fifty-si.x days; at 
that day this was considered rapid travel. 
Three years later, in 1854, he drove a large 
number of cattle across the plains to the Pa- 
cific coast, and remained in California two 
years. This time he came back via the Nica- 
raugua River, taking a steamer at Greytown 
for New York, and going thence to Wiscon- 
sin. Mr. Westrope resided in Wisconsin 
until 1871 occupied with farming and stock- 
raising. At that time he came to Iowa and 
settled on land in Montgomery County, which 
he had purchased two years previous. Here 
he improved 1,000 acres of land and engaged 
extensively in the breeding of short-horn 
cattle, in which he was very successful. He 
gave several of his sons farms in Montgom- 
ery County, and in 1881 he removed to Shelby 



314 



HISTORY OF SUELBT COUNTY. 



County, and settled on Pine Valley Stock 
Farm, whicli contains 480 acres of rich land 
well adapted to stock-raising. There is a com- 
fortable residence, and one of the finest barns 
in western Iowa, with a stone basement, and 
stabling for ninety-six head of cattle. It is 
admirably arranged for the care and handling 
of cattle. There is also a mill for grinding 
and cutting feed by horse-power. Pine Val- 
ley can show sixty-five head of registered cat- 
tle, second to no herd in western Iowa. Mr. 
Westrope has received his share of first pre- 
miums, and his many years of experience in 
the breeding of cattle justify his reputation 
as one of the best judges of cattle in western 
Iowa. He is known as one of the most suc- 
cessful and reliable short-horn cattle breeders 
in the northwest. ]\[r. and Mrs. "Westrope 
have ten children — Maria Jane, Abner J., 
Perry, T. E., Jr., Orville D., Otis, John G.,W. 
W^., Almira, Norman S. Three children were 
lost by death — Mary Ellen died at the age of 
one year ; George, at the age of eleven years, 
and Frank, at the age of twenty-three years. 
Mr. "Westrope is a strong Republican. Al- 
though on the shady side of sixty he bears 
Ms years lightly, and is as active as many a 
man of forty years. Mr. "Westrope is one of 
Shelby County's leading citizens, and is of 
the type for which any community is proud. 

■■■■ ■^ . Mt . ^ 



fHOMAS H. SMITH, of the law firm of 
Smith & CuUison, Harlan, Iowa, was 
born in Appanoose County, Iowa, Sep- 
tember 30, 185-i, and is a son of Paris S. and 
Nancy J. Smith, of Davis County, Iowa. 
Paris S. Smith was a native of Ohio, and a 
son of Noah and Elizabeth Smith, also natives 
of Ohio, who removed from that State and 
settled in Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1848. 
Nancy J. Smith, wife or Paris S. Smith, was 



a Virginian by birth, and a daughter of Jo- 
seph and Mary Jones, natives of Virginia. 
When she was quite small her father removed 
from Virginia, and settled in Ross County, 
Iowa, remaining there until she was sixteen 
years old; her father then came to Iowa and 
settled on a farm in Davis County, within 
one-half mile of the place where Mrs. Smith 
now resides. She was married to Paris S. 
Smith April 1, 1852, and they now reside upon 
the farm that has been their home for the last 
thirty years. They are the parents of thirteen 
children, ten of whom are living; all of the 
children received a liberal education, and with 
one exception were teachers. Thomas H. 
Smith lived upon the farm with his parents 
until his eighteenth year, assisting with the 
farm work, and attended the district school. 
At the age of eighteen years he taught his 
first school, and continued to teach each win- 
ter thereafter, until his admission to tlie bar 
in the spring of 1878. All the education he 
received, aside from that obtained in the com- 
mon schools, was in the Troy Academy and 
the Southern Iowa Normal, at Bloomfield, 
Ohio, in 1875-"76. His present paitner, G. 
"W. Cullieon, was one of his instructors. In 
the spring of 1876 he began the study of law 
in the office of M. H. Jones, of Bloomfield, 
Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1878, 
in Bloomfield. Immediately thereafter he 
located in Harlan, and commenced the practice 
of his profession. In a few weeks after com- 
ing to Harlan he formed a partnership with 
P. C. Truman, under the firm name of Tru- 
man & Smith; this firm continued until 
January, 1881, when G. "W. Cullison suc- 
ceeded to the interests of P. C. Truman, under 
the present firm name. Smith & Cullison 
have an extensive and lucrative practice, and 
a large and well- selected library. Mr. Smith 
has a fine farm of 295 acres adjoining Irwin, 
Iowa, and owns one of the finest residences in 



BIOORAPHIOAL HKErCUES. 



315 



Harlan. Mr. Sinitli was married June 3, 1880, 
to Miss Josephine Woim, a daughter of Hon. 
H. A. Wonn, of Davis County, Iowa. They 
have three children — Mabel, aged eight years; 
Orpha, aged six years; and Lois, aged eighteen 
montiis. Mr. Smith was elected county 
attoi-ncy of Shelby County, Iowa, in the fall 
of 1886, and tilled this position with much 
credit for two years; he refused a re-nomina 
tion by acclamation at the expiration of his 
term. Mr. Smith is a close student, an un- 
tiring worker, and a self-made man in the 
true sense of the word. All that he is and 
has was acquired by his own eflorts. 



OT 



T- J. DAVIS. — Whenever a new coun- 
J'l try is opened to settlement, with 
iTE>5^] '' such attractions of soil and climate, 
such future prospects of growth and business 
development as to make it a promising field 
for the energies of young men, scores and even 
hundreds flock thither to take tlieir chance in 
the great and untried race of life. At the 
start all seem to be on equil footing, but if 
the reader would pass that way in a quarter 
of a century, he would find only a few of those 
who started out in the vigor of their young 
manhood together. In tiiis connection we do 
not, of course, refer to those who fell by the 
way-side and perished, but to those living and 
active, who have remained from the day of 
small things. The majority of such settlers 
do not tarry; a fcvv return to their old homes, 
while many press forward to other promised 
lands, or perchance fail of business success. 
I3ut from out of the mass one will always find 
that a small, very small proportion have staid 
where they first landed and set their stakes, 
e.xhibiting the utmost manly energy and a 
determination to win in the great conflict of 
life. Each will, most likely, have earned and 



saved a handsome competency, besides ob- 
taining an enviable personal record and good 
social position in the community. Such seem 
to be the results in nearly every country, and 
the history of one is for the most part an 
epitome of the history of all. About such a 
proportion win the position and meed of praise 
due to substantial citizens, while the greater 
number are seldom heard of amonof their 
fellow men. Among the vanguard of early 
settlers in Shelby County, few have borne a 
more conspicuous, useful and honorable part 
than W. J. Davis, who first came to the county 
in the month of April, 1860, and located at 
Harlan, then a small village of less than a 
dozen houses. His first labor was that of 
dropping corn for L. D. Sunderland a few 
days. The same season he was engaged to 
teach school for a term of six months, at a 
point northeast of Harlan ; the first few weeks 
he taught in a log cabin, formerly used as a 
residence, but the remainder of the term in a 
school-house just then finished. Upon com- 
pleting his school he had but $15 left; but 
he then taught a three months' school in what 
was known as the Custer district, followed by 
a six months' term in the Hactown district. 
He then moved to Bowman's Grove, where he 
purchased seventy acres of partly improved 
land, which he finished improving and culti- 
vated for four or five years; he then sold the 
same and purchased a farm near Harlan, 
known as the long farm, consisting of 200 
acres; he farmed this for several years. In 
1881 he was elected clerk of the district 
court, serving for two terms and filling the 
position with satisfaction to all and credit to 
himself. So much for the history of a man 
who has made his own way through the pioneer 
years of Shelby County. Now to go back to 
his earlier life and learn something of his 
youthful days. He is the son of William and 
Jane Davis, who were natives of Wales. The 



!!16 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



father was left an orphan when a boy, and the 
family came to America in 1829; he followed 
coal-mining for a time in Pottsville, Penn- 
sylvania, l)ut later moved to Portage County, 
Ohio, svhere he cleared up a farm out of the 
big woods, which at that time was little less 
than a wilderness. lie married Miss Jane 
Davis,danghter of John Davis, who emigrated 
from Wales to this country, settling in the 
great forest lands of Ohio at an early day. 
Our subject's parents spent the remainder of 
their days on the farm improved by Mr. Da- 
vis. The father died in December, 1884, and 
the mother survived him until April, 1888. 
W. J. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was 
born October 3, 1836, in Portage County, 
Ohio, where he grew to manhood, spending 
his youth in aiding his father on the farm and 
attending the district school ; when far enough 
advanced he entered lliram College, of which 
the late President James A. Garfield was 
then president. In 1860 he started out for 
himself to seek what the world might have in 
store for him, but little comprehending what 
was to be overcome and passed through in 
hewing out for himself a home and a fortune 
sufficient to keep him in advanced age. Just 
before coming west he finished teaching a 
school for which he was entitled to !?106, but 
he was unable to draw more than half this 
amount; so he started with the §53 and one 
suit of clothes. He first took a trip through 
Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, with the 
intention of following teaching, but owing to 
the laxity of the school-laws in this section 
he decided to push on west. While in Ken- 
tucky he visited the farm of the distinguished 
statesman, CassiusM. Clay. After spending 
some time in that vicinity, he came to Iowa, 
via the Ohio & Missouri River line of boats, 
as at that date tiiere was no line of railroads 
built farther west than Iowa City, Iowa. 
Upon getting off the boat at Council Bluffs 



he had but §4.50 in his possession. He en- 
tertained the idea that the hotel was but a 
short distance from the boat landing, and so 
he started out for a few minutes' walk, which 
proved a tive-mile tramp; and worse than the 
walk was the hotel, which he had pictured as 
one with all the lirst-class appointments of 
those in the eastern cities; its name was the 
City Hotel, and he supposed it would be first- 
class; he was anything but agreeably sur- 
prised to find a double log house with few 
accommodations for the pleasure and comfort 
of a weary traveler, who had been for many 
days tossed about on a river boat. However, 
he ate his dinner and set out on foot, going 
seven miles to a farm-house where he re- 
mained over night, receiving the kindest at- 
tention at the hands of the good pioneer 
farmer and his wife, who in the morning 
refused to accept any pay from him, for which 
he was very grateful. From there he pro- 
ceeded to Eight-Mile Grove, which was a dis- 
tance of twenty miles, without a solitary 
house in view, giving naught but wild prairie 
landscape, upon which his eyes could have a 
perpetual feast. The first house to which he 
came was vacant, and the next one seemed to 
be occupied, but he found no one at home. 
He was hungry, however, and after searching 
about the premises, discovered a Dutch oven 
containing a short-cake, which made him the 
best meal he had ever eaten. After liaving 
partaken of this heartily, with perfect satis- 
faction to the inner man, lie walked on to a 
house where he remained that night. The 
next day he arrived at the county seat of 
Harrison County, in hopes of finding a school 
to teach, but was seemingly doomed to disap- 
pointment; so he retraced his steps to the 
house at which he had stopped the previous 
night, and the following day came to Shelby 
County. Here he succeeded in obtaining a 
school, as first stated in this sketch. Mr. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH B.^. 



317 



Davis was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah 
Long, a daughter of James M. Long, one of 
the founders of Harlan, of whom mention 
will he made elsewhere in this volume. By 
this marriage union five daughters were born, 
two of whom still survive — Marguerite G. 
and Josephine. In April, 1880, Mr. Davis 
was greatly bereaved by the sudden death of 
his wife and three daughters, all of whom 
were taken from him within five days. They 
were stricken down by diphtheria and scarlet 
fever. The first to be taken from the family 
circle was their bright-eyed little daughter 
Mary, aged seven years. The next to follow 
was Susie B., who was just entering the 
threshold of young womanhood, aged four 
teen years. Grim death, not yet content, 
called the baby and pet of the household, 
Inez, aged five years. In the midst of all 
this sadness and gloom the wife and mother 
was also stricken down and died; and had it 
not been for the true kindness and practical 
sympathy of Judge Chathburn and his good 
wife, in all probability the remaining mem- 
bers of Mr. Davis's family would also have 
been called from earth. These truly good 
people took Maggie and Jossie to their own 
home and cared for them until this terrible 
destroyer had subsided in the community. 
In the death of Mrs. Davis, who was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church, the community 
met with a sad loss, as well as in the death 
of the tliree children, who were indeed fair 
flowers in life's garden. By nearly thirty 
years' residence in Shelby County, Mr. Davis 
has, by his manly, upright course, justly 
merited and won the confidence and esteem 
of the entire population with whom he has 
lived and mingled. He has always taken an 
active part in politics, being an ardent Re- 
publican. In 1888 he was chosen one of tlie 
delegates to the Chicago Convention, which 
placed in nomination General Harrison for 



President. He is one of the radical, uncom- 
promising men who always find the place of 
leader. He belongs to the Masonic frater- 
nity, being a charter member of the A. F. & 
A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321, and having 
passed through all the chairs of such lodge. 
He also belongs to Olivet Chapter, Lodge 
No. 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 40. 
Besides his Masonic connection, he is a wor- 
thy member of the Odd Fellows' order at 
Harlan, having passed through all of its de- 
grees. Nothing better can possibly be said, 
as a matter of final record of a man's life, 
than that he always had the confidence of his 
fellow-men, which is unquestionably true of 
W. J. Davis. 



. SmS « | i«-^ 



tEWIS GINGERY, of Cedar Hill stock 
farm, is one of the intelligent and enter- 
prising citizens of Shelby County. He 
was born in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, 
November 1, 1847. His father, Daniel Gin- 
gery, was a native of Germany, where he was 
reared, educated and married to Miss Amelia 
Helena Wilhelmina Stuart. Soon after their 
marriage they came to America, and stopped 
for a short time in Baltimore, Maryland, 
and then ^•ent to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 
From Bethlehem they removed to Massillon, 
Ohio. Daniel Gingery enlisted in the Mex- 
ican war, and died while in the service of his 
adopted country; he was buried in Mexico. 
There were ten sons, six of whom lived to 
maturity. Lewis was the youngest, and he was 
thirteen years old when his mother came 
to Cass County, Iowa, where he grew to man- 
hood. Mr. Gingery was married December 
19, 1869, to Miss Cylinda Howard, a native of 
Rock Island County, Illinois, and a daughter 
of William and Mary C. llovvanl. In 1877 
Mr. Gingery removed from Cass County to 



318 



HJSTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Shelby County, and settled on the land where 
he now lives. The land was then wild prairie, 
and the next six years were devoted to its culti- 
vation. In 1883 Mr. Gingery rented his farm 
and removed to Harlan, where, in company 
with John Lorge, he engaged in the agricult- 
ural implement business. This he continued 
for two years, and then returned to his farm. 
At the end of one year he came back to Har- 
lan, and engaged in the nursery business 
until the fall of 1888, when he sold his inter- 
est in the business and went back to his 
farm. Cedar Hill Stock Farm contains 200 
acres, and is two miles east of Harlan. There 
is a comfortable residence, pleasantly sit- 
uated, a good barn, a grove and an orchard. 
The proprietor makes a specialty of short- 
horn cattle and Chester White swine. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gingery are the parents of three 
children — John C, George Eugene and Mary 
B. Claudia. Politically, Mr. Gingery is a Dem- 
ocrat, and has served as township assessor. 
He and his wife are members of the Congre- 
gational church, and he is treasurer of the 
Sabbath-school. He is yet in the prime of 
life, is honorable in business, and has the 
confidence and respect of all who know him. 



n - % M 



'"■ "^ * 3"S * 

f LETCHER DUNHAM, of Harlan Town- 
sliip, has been a resident of Shelby 
County since 1881. He was born in 
Steuben County, New York, October 17, 
1842, and is a son of Abraham and Susan 
(Dolph) Dunham. The father's ancestors 
were sent from England in an early day as 
missionaries to preach the gospel. The father 
served in the war of 1812. The mother was 
of English extraction, and was a relative of 
General AVolf, who died in the battle of Que- 
bec. Botli parents were active and zealous 
workers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



and died at Geneva, Kane County, Illinois, 
in 1860, respected and regretted by all who 
knew them. Our subject was eight years 
old when his parents moved to Kane County, 
Illinois, where he was reared and educated. 
During the rebellion he went to the defense 
of the old flag, enlisting, September 7, 1861, 
at Chicago, in the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, 
Colonel Jenison's regiment, General James 
Lane's brigade. The regiment took an active 
part on the western border until after the 
battle of Shiloh, and then they were ordered 
southeast, and took an active part in fighting 
General Forest's troops. They were also 
in the first attack on Vicksburg under Gen- 
eral Grant. Mr. Dunham served his coun- 
try in a gallant manner, and was honorably 
discharged in September, 1864, at St. Louis, 
Missouri. He returned to Kane County, 
Illinois, where he remained for a short time, 
and then went to Guthrie County, Iowa. He 
was married January 23, 1866, to Miss 
Laura J. Porter, a native of Brown County, 
Ohio, and a daughter of John J. Porter, who 
was one of the prominent pioneers of Guth- 
rie County, Iowa. The mother was Miss 
Eliza Snell, a daughter of Daniel Snell, who 
was a small boy during the revolutionary 
war, and was confined in a fort in South 
Carolina during that time. Mr. Dunham 
lived in Guthrie County until 1857, when he 
removed to Big Grove, Pottawattamie Coun- 
ty, Iowa, an 1 engaged in the stock business. 
In 1875 he went to Wyoming, where he 
engaged in mining and live-stock dealing. 
He continued this for several years. In 1880 
he sold his interests in Wyoming, and re- 
turned to Big Grove, Iowa, where he 
remained one year, and then came to Shelby 
County. Here he bought the Thomas Cald- 
well farm, excellent land, and well adapted to 
stock-raising. The farm contains 297 acres. 
There is a good residence, well furnished, a 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



319 



grove, an orchard, and all the conveniences 
for farming on a large scale. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dunliain are the parents of three children — 
Lee H., Van E., and Orah Wyoming. Laura 
S. died at the age of sixteen months. Mr. 
Dunham is a strong supporter of Republican 
principles, and is a member of the G. A. R., 
Harlan Post, No. 197. He is a member of the 
Masonic order, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet 
Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Command- 
ery, No. 49. Mr. Dunham is in the prime of 
life, and has seen much of tliis country. He 
is honorable in business, and has the respect 
and confidence of a wide acquaintance. 



f AMES NEW BY is a well-known pioneer 
settler of Harlan Township, having come 
to the county in 1868. He was born in 
Pasquotank County, North Carolina, six miles 
from Elizabeth City, in 1824. He is a son 
of John L. and Melissa (Perry) Newby, both 
of whom were born in North Carolina. James 
Newby was left an orphan at the age of ten 
years, when he went to live with a half-brother, 
with whom he remained five years. He was 
trained to agricultural pursuits, but his lit- 
erary education was entirely neglected, and 
he was obliged to work very hard in his youth- 
ful days. He was married, April 22, 1847, 
to Miss Julia Stallins, a daughter of Joseph 
and Sarah (Ward) Stallins, natives of North 
Carolina, where Mrs. Newby was also reared. 
She was born February 28, 1822, in Per- 
quimans County, North Carolina. Our sub- 
ject remained in his native State until 1860, 
when he removed to Henry County, Indiana, 
where he lived four years. He then went 
back to North Carolina for a short time, and 
afterward removed to Virginia, where he re- 
sided four years. His next place of abode 
was in Carroll County, Indiana, where he 



lived until 1867, when he came to Mills 
County, Iowa. In the spring of 1868 he 
moved to Pottawattamie County, and in the 
spring of 1869 to this county. In 1871 he 
came to his present farm, which was then wild 
land; he has since improved the place until 
the Newby farm is one of the best in the 
neighborhood. He has a two-story house, 
built in good style, and surrounded with shade 
trees; he has twenty-five acres of fine timber, 
and an orchard; everything is conveniently 
arranged for farming in good style. Mr. and 
Mrs. Newby are the parents of nine chil- 
dren — John L., Joseph W., Quinten, Ellsberry, 
William G., Elvira Jane, Alexander and 
Laura B. James died at the age of eighteen 
years; he was the sixth child. Mr. and Mrs. 
Newby are active and consistent members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and the 
family are among the respected and honored 
citizens of the township. Politically, Mr. 
Newby is a Republican. 



ANIEL DALEY, conductor of the Har- 
lan branch of the Chicago, Rock Island 
& Pacific Railroad, hais been a resident 
of Shelby County sincfe 1878. He was born 
in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, 
Massachusetts, January 3, 1840. He is a 
son of Michael and Mary (Morrison) Daley, 
natives of Cork, Ireland, who emigrated to 
America immediately after their marriage. 
They settled in Berkshire County, Massachu- 
setts, and in 1871 removed to Iowa, and set- 
tled in Atlantic. When Mi". Daley was seven 
years old his parents moved to Janesvllie, 
Wisconsin, where his father carried on farm- 
ing; here he grew up and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools. He remained 
with his parents until his majority, when he 
entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Isl- 



320 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



and & Pacific Railroad, first working on the 
section at §1.15 per day. He occupied this 
position only a short time, and then went on 
the line as brakeman; while coupling cars 
his hand was injured, so that he was disabled 
for six months. He then took the position 
of baggage-master at Atlantic, which he held 
for two years, and again took the position of 
brakeman. He was afterward promoted to 
the position of yard-master, which he held 
for five years. When the Harlan branch was 
constructed Mr. Daley was given the train, 
and is the only conductor this branch has 
ever had. Mr. Daley was united in mar- 
riage, August 8, 1878, to Miss Jennie Grant, 
a native of Michigan, and a daughter of 
Robert Grant, now a resident of Adair County. 
By this union tliree children liave been born — 
Gracie, John and Roberta. In 1878 Mr. 
Daley removed to Harlan, where he has as 
comfortable and pretty a home as one need 
wish. Mr. and Mrs. Daley are members of 
the Roman Catholic church. He is a mem- 
ber of the R. W. Conductors, Des Moines 
Lodge; the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 
65, Harlan; the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, 
No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mt. 
Zioii Commandery, No. 49. Mr. Daley's 
political sympathies are witli the Democratic 
party. No man in Shelby County is more 
highly esteemed, or has a more enviable rep- 
utation, than Daniel Daley, of Harlan. 

... . i^ . 3 i» { . | .. ... 



tR. DAVID GISII was a native of Bote- 
tourt County, Virginia, and a son of 
John and Adaline Gish. When about 
sixteen years of age he went to Greene County, 
Ohio. His life in Virginia was spent on a 
farm and in attending the common schools. 
He was married to Miss Frances Hopping, of 
Greene County, Ohio. In 1858 he came to 



Iowa and settled at Greencastle, Jasper 
County; here he engaged in farming and 
steam-milling in company with his brother 
Elijah. He pursued this avocation about one 
year, and then commenced the study of medi- 
cine under Dr. Love in Greencastle, and 
graduated from the Keokuk Medical College 
in 1863. He commenced the practice of 
medicine with his preceptor. Dr. Love, in 
Gi'eencastle, where he continued for one year. 
He then entered into partnership with Dr. 
Sheldon, in Story County, and came from 
this place to Shelby County in 1868, where 
he continued the practice of his profession 
until his death, which occurred August 13, 
1879. He purchased vast tracts of Shelby 
County land, which was placed under a good 
state of cultivation by his own direction. Dr. 
Gisli had an extensive practice, and was one 
of the pioneer doctors of the county. He 
was one of the most prosperous citizens, and 
at the time of his death was worth a consid- 
erable fortune. He distributed a good por- 
tion of his wealth among his cliildren. Di-. 
and Mrs. Gish were the parents of six chil- 
dren — Charles; Laura, wife of A. Barton; 
Harvey, Calvin and John ; one child is not liv- 
ing. The Doctor was a man that had the 
respect and esteem of all who knew him, and 
his acquaintance was an extensive one. 

C. O. Gish, the son of David and Frances 
(Hopping) Gish, was born in Greene County, 
Ohio, September 25, 1853. When he was 
five years of age his parents moved to Jasper 
County, Iowa, and remained there about ten 
years. They then made two other moves, 
but finally located in Harlan Township. 
When C. O. Gish had attained his nineteenth 
year he commenced farming, and has since 
followed this pursuit. In 1875 he purchased 
his first piece of ground, it being an eighty- 
acre tract of wild prairie in section 35, Doug- 
las Township; he bought it from the railroad 



BIOGRAPHICiiL SKETCHES. 



82t 



company at a cost of $7 per acre; he placed 
it under good cultivation, and made many 
excellent improvements. To this first pur- 
chase he added other tracts, until he now 
owns 560 acres of Shelby County land; 
through his own eflbrts and personal super- 
vision, this land has been improved, has been 
taken from the raw prairie and made into one 
of the best farms in Shelby County; there 
are a good house, a barn, a grove and all the 
improvements that go to make a* fine mod- 
ern farm. Mr. Gish devotes himself to farm- 
ing and stock-raising quite extensively. He 
hMS disposed of some of his lands, but now 
controls 440 acres. He is an active, ener- 
getic business man, and is deserving of much 
credit. Although but a young man, he is 
one of the foremost in agricultural pursuits 
in Shelby County. He is a strong supporter 
of the Democratic party, and has been offi- 
cially identified with the township. He is a 
member of the Masonic order. Mr. Gish 
was married November 16, 1876, to Miss 
Minerva A., daughter of Dwight and Catha- 
rine (Bowman) Terrill; she was a native of 
Shelby County. She died in 1882, after a 
wedded life of six years. Three children re- 
sulted from this union — Peariie M., Lester D. 
and Ray. Mr. Gish was again married June 
4, 1883, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John 
and Rebecca East; she was born September 
13, 1861, in Indiana. Three children resulted 
from this union — Maud, Fern and Joseph. 

'- "^ • 3"t - |" -" 




jARY MICHENER HAVENS.— In 
the history of Shelby County no name 
is more deserving of mention than 
that of Mrs. Havens. She will lonir be re- 
membered by the older residents, and there 
are many living at the present time who were 
first cradled in her loving, motherly arms, 



and many more who, under Providence, owe 
their lives to her skillful medical treatment. 
Mrs. Havens was born November 28, 1815, 
in Licking County, Ohio. Had she been a 
man, or had she made her advent into the 
world a quarter-century later, when the pro- 
fessions had been opened to women, she 
would have undoubtedly made a name, either 
as a minister of the gospel or as a physician, 
for she came of a family of ministers on one 
side, and of doctors on the other. Possessed 
of a tine mind and liberal education, slie was 
far in advance of the times, being a firm be- 
liever in total abstinence, prohibition and 
woman's sufirage. "Without the means of 
mental culture now open to the majority, siie 
improved the opportunity within her reach, 
and became well versed in general literature, 
and quite well read in medicine and theology. 
Of a genial disposition and a good conversa- 
tionalist, she made many friends, while her 
poetic vein, wliich enabled her to write verses 
upon every occasion, from a lover's quarrel 
to an elegy on the death of a favorite horse, 
made her exceedingly popular, especially with 
young people. At the age of sixteen she 
united with the Presbyterian church, and as 
long as she lived was a consistent Christian, 
and an earnest worker in the vineyard of the 
Lord. P^or eight years she followed the pro- 
fession of school-teaching, and was eminently 
successful, controlling unruly pupilsandmain- 
taining order in what were known as unman- 
ageable sciiools. In 1839 the subject of tliis 
sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Mills, 
was married to Daniel Micliener, of Morrow 
County, Ohio, who was a perfect specimen of 
noble manhood. He survived only seven 
short years after his marriage. After the 
death of her husband, Mary Micliener suf- 
fered a long illness, from which she recovered 
with her hearing much impaired. She then 
took her two children, Mattie and Angle 



332 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Gertrude, and went to live with her brother 
at Cohimbia City, Iiidiana. In course of 
time slie married Lorenzo Havens, a wid- 
ower with two little girls. In the spring of 
1861 they came to Harlan, where they lived 
several years. It soon became known that 
Mrs. Havens was not only a skillful ac- 
coucher, but was remarkably successful in 
her treatment of all kinds of diseases. At 
that time there was but one physician in 
Shelby County, and lie was not in practice; 
therefore it is not strange that Mrs. Havens 
should have many calls to visit the sick. She 
was never very strong, but summer's heat 
nor winter's cold, beating rain nor howling 
blizzard, ever hindered her from answering 
the call of suffering liumanity until there 
were other physicians to take her place. 
Owning no conveyance of her own, she was 
compelled to ride in any kind of vehicle and 
after any wild and spirited animal that a 
messenger might bring for her. Although 
she spent much of her time and strength in 
this work, it was more a labor of love than 
anything else, for her charges were not in 
proportion to the service rendered, but ac- 
cording to the ability to pay. In 1872 Mrs. 
Havens was mysteriously poisoned, strych- 
nine having been put into her quinine bottle, 
from which she took a dose. Dr. Bayer, of 
Harlan, was called immediately, and her life 
was saved. As soon as she was able she was 
taken to the home of her son-in-law, L. L. 
Winters, in Clay Township. Here she passed 
her remaining days with her children, living 
five years after this attempt upon her life. 
The five years of suffering were borne with 
patience, and a cheerful looking forward to 
her release. Knowing it to be only a matter 
of time, she prepared her burial clothes with 
her own hands, speaking frequently of her 
departure as if she were going on a pleasant 
journey. In October, 1877, in the sixty- 



third year of her age, at the home of Mrs. 
Winters, in Marne, Cass County, her sum- 
mons came, and she passed to the sleep that 
knows no waking. Her remains lie buried 
in the Marne cemetery, but the good she has 
done will live forever. 

-. ... .. i^ . ^ ii t . ^ .., ... — 




LESLEY SCUTT.— Among the promi- 
nent citizens of Shelby County there 
are none more worthy of notice in 
this history than Wesley Scutt. He has been 
identified with the interests of Shelby County 
since 1879. He is a native of Columbia 
County, New York, born January 25, 1843, 
and a son of Peter and Eliza (Race) Scutt, 
natives of New York, and of HoUandish 
ancestry. The family were among the first 
settlers of eastern New Y'ork, and were de- 
scended from the Hollanders who settled on 
the Livingston patent. The father of our 
subject was a carpenter by trade, but Wes- 
ley's youth was spent on a farm, where he 
worked at S6 per month. He resided with 
his parents until he was nineteen years old, 
when he came to Iowa, and located in Me- 
chanicsville. Cedar County, where he re- 
mained eight years. From that place he 
moved to Avoca. He was married in No- 
vember, 1878, to Miss Sophia Sherman, 
whose father came to Iowa with his wife 
when Iowa was a territory. Mrs. Scutt was 
born in Matpioketa, Jackson County, Iowa. 
Soon after her birth her parents moved to 
Wisconsin and purchased land where Mil- 
waukee now stands. Here Mrs. Sherman 
died, and Mr. Sherman with two little daugh- 
ters returned to his former home in New 
Y^ork, where he soon after died. Mrs. Scutt 
was reared in Wyoming County, New York, 
and after she was grown to womanhood she 
went to J>l(>omington, Illinois, where she 



BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETGIIES. 



325 




tausht school for some time. From Bloom- 
ington slie came to Avoca, Iowa. In the 
spring of 1879 Mr. Scutt came to Ilarlau, 
\vl)ere he engaged in various occupations 
until the fall of 1886, when he accepted a 
position in the Harlan bank. lie is a mem- 
ber of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 
321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mt. Zion 
Commandery, No. 49. He is present junior 
warden of the Bine Lodge, king of the chap- 
ter, and warden of the commandery. In 
politics Mr. Scutt athliates with the Republi- 
can party. 






L. WILLSON, a native of Pulaski 
County, Indiana, born January 1, 
\ * 1845, is the son of W. L. and Mary 
(Ingram) Willson. When our subject was 
seven years of age his parents came to Wash- 
ington County, Iowa. They settled on an 
unimproved farm, which they made their 
home until the death of Mr. W. L. Willson, 
Sr., which occurred in 1881. W. L. Willson, 
Jr., spent his early life on a farm in Wash- 
ington County, occupying his time in farm 
work and in attending the common schools. 
It was here he met and married Miss Sarah 
E. Irwin, January 27, 1809. She is a daugh- 
ter of Edward and Mary A. (Ilorner) Irwin, 
both natives of Pennsylvania. She was born 
in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, January 
18, 1847, and came to Iowa in April, 18G5. 
Her parents settled in Washington County. 
The second year of their marriage they came 
to Shelby County, where they rented one 
year, and then settled on section 20, Douglas 
Township. They homasteaded eighty acres, 
and erected a small house. They went to 
work with the intention of making them- 
selves a home, and they have succeeded. 
Tliey now own 300 acres of as line land as 



lies in the county, and have a comfortable 
fratne residence, surrounded by three acres 
of grove. He also has good buildings for 
stock and grain. He directs his attention to 
stock-raising and farming, carrying on both 
quite extensively. After Mr. Willson's father 
died, he brought his mother, who is quite an 
elderly person, to Harlan, providing a com- 
fortable home for her. The parents of Mrs. 
Willson still reside at Irwin, which place de- 
rived its name from theirs. Mr. and Mrs. 
Willson are the parents of six children — Es- 
tella died in 1877; Howard, May, Maud, 
Elba and Pearl are living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Willson take great pride in their family, who 
are bright and interesting children. Their 
home is adorned with all the luxuries and 
comforts of life, and when one wishes to see 
a happy family, let him look in on the family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Willson. Qe i j a thorough- 
going business man, taking a great interest 
in everything that tends to elevate and benefit 
the country in general. Mr. Willson is a 
Democrat. 



' 3 " t - S " 



fUDGE WILLIAM WYLAND, retired 
farmer, is the second son of Jonathan 
Wyland, whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this book. He was born in Mercer County, 
Ohio, September 14, 1830; when about two 
years of age, his parents moved to Indiana, 
and settled in Elkhart County, where his 
youth was spent in assisting his father in the 
woolen mills. He lived with his parents 
until he grew to manhood. He was married 
January 3, 1854, to Miss Helen Mary Thomp- 
son, a native of Elkhart County, Indiana, and 
a daughter of Mark H. Thompson, who came 
from southern Indiana to Ellkhart County, 
April 5, 1829, among the early settlers. Mr. 
Thompson was a native of Orange County, 



326 



HISrORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



New York, and of English and Irish descent. 
In 1855 William "Wyland came to Shelby 
County with his father, by way of railroad to 
Dubuque, then by stage to Council Bluffs. 
He entered 240 acres of land in what is now 
Harlan Township. He then returned to Indi- 
ana, and the following year, in company with 
his brother Isaac and family, removed to this 
county. He then began the task of improv- 
ing his farm, and resided on the place until 
the fall of 1858, when he purchased a share 
in the Wyland saw-mill, and operated that 
for one year. In the spring of 1857 he was 
elected to the office of county treasurer and 
recorder, and on account of the larger portion 
of the settlement being at Galland's Grove, 
he appointed David Baughman as deputy, 
but when the county seat was moved to Har- 
lan in 1859 he removed to Harlan and took 
charge of the offi^, which he held until Janu- 
ary, 1860. Mr. "Wyland was elected county 
judge in 1859, and took charge of the office 
January 1, 1860; this office comprised that 
of the board of supervisors and the probate 
business; he held this office one year and then 
returned to Indiana, with the intention of 
assisting in the care of his father's business, 
but before reaching there his father sold out, 
and he returned with the rest of his family to 
Iowa, and settled on what is now known as 
the Wyland homestead, in Douglas Township. 
He farmed here until 1872, vvheu he returned 
to Harlan and clerked one year for J. W. & 
E. W. Davis. In 1874 he engaged in the 
general merchandise business with Wood & 
Kobbins, under the firm of William Wyland 
&Co.; this was continued for three years. 
Afterward he engaged with Jackson & Gibbs 
for one year. In 1884 he removed to his 
present farm, which contains 100 acres ad- 
joining town; he also owns some town prop- 
erty. Mr. and Mrs. Wyland are consistent 
memljers of the i^aptist church, ho holding 



the position of clerk. He is a member of 
the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321 ; 
Olivet Chapter, No. 107. Politically he affili- 
ates with the Democratic party. He has 
served as county supervisor, and was also ap- 
pointed county treasurer, D. M. Wyland 
serving as deputy. 



|ZARIAH FISHER was born Septem- 
TC ber 9, 1827, in Clinton County, Ohio. 
At an early age he moved to Tazewell 
County, Illinois. His immediate ancestors 
were Quakers, and came from Guilford 
County, North Carolina. His early life was 
passed on a farm in the neighborhood of 
Dillon. On the 6th day of November, 1851, 
he was married to Malinda Stanley. For a 
time they lived in Tazewell County, but aft- 
erward moved to Whiteside County, Illi- 
nois, and lived a few miles south of Coleta. 
During the late war they moved to Pleasant 
Plain, near the line of Jefferson and Wash- 
ington counties, in Iowa. In 1870 they 
moved to Shelby County, and in 1871 to 
Harlan, the county seat. April 20, 1874, 
Mr. Fisher was killed by the caving-in of a 
well from which he was removing the curb- 
ing. He was buried in the cemetery at 
Harlan. Until his removal to Harlan Mr. 
Fisher was engaged in farming, but after 
this he was chiefly engaged in well -digging. 
He was a man of more than usual intelli- 
gence. He and his wife were members of 
the church of the Disciples. Mrs. Fisher 
was born in Highland County, Ohio, Sep- 
tember 28, 1834. Her father is Thomas 
Stanley, a native of Virginia, and her mother 
is liachel (Hoskins) Stanley, born in Clinton 
County, Ohio. The Stanleys are of English 
and the Hoskins of Welsh descent. Both of 
Mrs. Fisher's parents reside at present in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



327 



Shelby County, Iowa. While a young girl 
her father moved to Tazewell County, llli- 
:iois. He remained there but a short time, 
however, going to Louisa County, Iowa. He 
attended the first land sale in the State of 
Iowa, at Burlington. At that time the In- 
dians were numerous, and would frequently 
come into Mr. Stanley's cabin to smoke. 
After several years' residence in Louisa County 
Mr. Stanley moved to Whiteside County, 
Illinois, in the Itock River country. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born four children 
who reached maturity. The first three were 
born in Whiteside County, Illinois, and the 
youngest in Jetferson County, Iowa. Their 
names and the times of their birth are as 
follows: Ellen, born November 1, 1857; 
Ellis, born March 9, 1860; Joel Melvin, born 
August 18, 1862; William Robert, born July 
13, 1865. The oldest was married in 1875, 
and lias four children living — Frank, Mabel, 
Thomas and Edna Hurless. Bessie and Katy 
are dead. Mrs. Hurless resides at present in 
Long Pine, Nebraska. Ellis Fisher is a farmer 
in Brown County, Nebraska; he is also a 
brickmason and plasterer, and aided in the 
construction of most of the brick buildings 
in Harlan. He was married in December, 
1888, to Miss Emma Barr, of Keya Paha 
County, Nebraska. Joel M. is at tiiis writing 
astudentof DrakeUniversity, at Des Moines; 
he is unmarried. William R. is a resident of 
Douglas Township; he was married March 
9, 1887, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Dotson, who 
was born in Clarke County, Iowa, May 12, 
1870. Her father is Pleasant Dotson, born 
in Tennessee, near the Holston River; his 
mother belonged to the Shelton family, 
prominent in that region. Tlie wife of Pleas- 
ant Dotson was Mary Campbell, a native of 
Kentucky. Mr. Dotson owns a large farm 
nearKirkman. Ellis Harl, the one child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, was born February 29, 



1888. Mr. Fisher is at present engaged in 
teaching school; he has taught two terms at 
Kimballton, Audubon County, Iowa; three 
terms in Jackson Township, Shelby County; 
a part of one terra near Bowman's Grove, 
which he was prevented from finishing by 
sickness; one term at Mount Zion, Audubon 
County; one term in Brown Count}', Ne- 
braska; he is now teaching his fourth term 
at Hillside, Shelby County. Mr. Fisher was 
for some time a compositor in the office of 
the Harlan Hub, and of the Shelby County 
Republican. He spent some time at Eureka 
College in Illinois, also at Drake University, 
Des Moines. At the age of eighteen he 
published a small volume of poems. He has 
contributed some to literary papers, and is 
now engaged in writing a book of poems, of 
which, at this date, December, 1888, 9,000 
lines are completed. Tiie work will consist 
of original poems and translations from the 
German and Danish-Norwegian lancruages. 
Malinda Fisher was married February 28, 
1875, to William Porter. Mr. Porter is now 
deceased. Dulciabel Porter was born April 
1, 1876; Eleanora Porter was born Septem- 
ber 23, 1877. 



fONATHAN WYLAND was born in 
Pennsylvania, January 1, 1797. His 
father was Christian Wyland, whose an- 
cestors came from Switzerland. When our 
subject was a boy his parents moved to 
Greene County, Ohio, where they followed 
farming, having cleared a farm from out the 
dense forests, a task that would now seem too 
great to be undertaken by any one. Jonathan 
learned the cooper's trade and worked at that 
as well as farming. His first wife was Cath- 
erine Plum, by whom one child was born, 
named Washington. His second wife was 



328 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Elizabeth Van Ausdell, a native of Ohio; her 
parents moved from New Jersey to Ohio and 
were from Holland originally. After his 
second marriage Mr. Wyland moved to Mer- 
cer County, Ohio, where he remained until 
1832 and then moved to Goshen, Elkhart 
County, Indiana, where his wife died in 1858- 
They reared a large family of sons and 
daughters, named as follows — Catherine (de- 
ceased), Rachel (deceased), William, Isaac P., 
Mary (deceased). Christian J., Lovina, Bar- 
bara, Jasper Xewton, who was a soldier from 
Shelby County, Iowa, member of Company 
I, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and who died from 
wounds received July, 1804, at Duval's Bluif; 
the other children are — David M., Thomas 
Jefferson and Elizabeth. In Indiana Mr 
Wyland followed fanning and milling, own- 
ing a woolen- mill, Houring mill and saw-mill 
and carrying on an extensive business iu both. 
He first came to Shelby County in 1855 with 
his oldest son, William, and at that time en- 
tered a large tract of land, including a half 
section in Shelby County and a full section 
in Pottawattamie County; he afterward pur- 
chased 200 acres in that county and a good 
sized tract in what is now Shelby County, in 
addition to that entered there. After enter- 
ing this land he returned to Indiana and re- 
mained until May, 18G1, when he moved to 
Shelby County, coming overland, bringing 
liis effects in three two-horse wagons and 
driving several cows. The journey consumed 
three weeks, and, like all journeys of that day, 
was very tedious as there were no bridges and 
very little improvement along the way. They 
crossed the Mississippi at Davenport, Iowa. 
Mr. Wyland furnished the means with which 
to build the first saw-mill in the eastern part 
of the county, the same being erected at 
Bowman's Grove. It was put into operation 
in 1857, the machinery being hauled by team 
from Iowa City. While on his first trip to 



Iowa our subject received a paralytic stroke 
from which he had much trouble and which 
' finally caused his death, May 28, 1864, while 
stopping witli one of his daughters on a farm 
four miles from Goshen, Indiana. He was a 
man of rugged constitution and full of energy, 
having always been a hard- worker at what- 
ever he undertook to accomplish. He was a 
faithful member of the Dunkard or German 
Baptist church. He never sought public 
office, but was one of the Elkhart County, 
Indiana, commissioners for a term of fourteen 
years. A number of his children are among 
the most highly esteemed and public-spirited 
men of Shelby County at the present time; 
sketches of them will be found elsewhere in 
this volume. 



LEXANDER CAMPBELL, a native of 
Guernsey County, Ohio, was born April 
28, 1849, and is the son of John and 
Sarah (Luper) Campbell, natives of Ohio. 
When there was a call for men to defend this 
nation's flag, John Campbell enlisted in 
Company I, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, in 1861. He died in 1863, just after 
the siege of Vicksbnrg. He had risen from 
a private to the rank of Captain, and three 
days after his death there came a commission 
from the President promoting him to the 
rank of Colonel. Alexander passed his youth 
in farm work and in attending school. When 
he was sixteen years old his mother came to 
Iowa, and settled in Iowa County, where the 
family resided two years. They then re- 
moved to Jasper County and lived there 
until 1880. In February of that year Mr. 
Campbell purchased eighty acres of land in 
Jefferson Township, Shelby County, and has 
since here made his home. He has placed 
the land, which was then unimproved, under 



BWaRAl'HlCAL SKErUllEH. 



;J29 



fine cultivation, and has made many valuable 
improvements in the way of erecting build- 
ings and planting groves. He has added to 
his first purchase until he now owns 200 
acres of land. He devotes himself to farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and is making an efibrt 
to produce a superior grade of hogs and 
cattle. He is gradually reaching the summit 
of his ambition in this direction. Mr. Camp- 
bell had no capital to begin with excepting 
his pluck and energy, and these have proved 
superior in wortli to dollars and cents. He 
was the second child in a family of seven, 
and when his father died the burden of the 
family fell upon him and an older brother, 
and well did they fill tlie place of protector 
and care-taker. They educated their brothers 
and sisters and kept the family together, and 
much credit is due them for their efforts. 
Mr. Campbell affiliates with the Republican 
party, and represents his townsliip officially 
as justice of the peace, and is now serving 
his second term. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Alliance. He was married July 2, 
1877, to Miss Emma Rorabaugh, daughter of 
Israel and Phcebe (McQuillon) Eorabaugh, 
natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in 
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, August 30, 
1859. They are the parents of five children — 
Myrtle, John, Jesse E., Frankie and Eliza- 
beth G. They were brought up in the faith 
of the U. P. and U. 13. churches. 

... .« .i ^ . i n ; . | K..>H 



p. KORABAUGH was born in Clear- 
field County, Pennsylvania, October 
'* 26, 1857. He is the son of Israel and 
Phcebe (McQuillin) Rorabaugh, natives of 
Pennsylvania, wlio are now residents of Jas- 
per County, Iowa. When our subject was 
three years old his parents removed to Iowa 
and settled in Jasper County. Here he was 



reared to farm life, and educated in the pub- 
lic schools. He was the seventh son and 
seventh child in a family of twelve children, 
of whom nine are still living. When Mr. 
Rorabaugh had attained his twenty-first year 
he engaged in farming for himself, coming 
to Shelby County, where he purchased a tract 
of 120 acres of wild land in Jefferson Town- 
ship. Here he has made many valuable im- 
provements; he has erected a beautiful frame 
residence,. also barns for stock and grain, and 
has planted a grove. He devotes himself to 
agricultural pursuits exclusively, and is a 
live, energetic man, standing in the front 
ranks of Shelby County's rising young citi- 
zens. Politically he affiliates with the Re- 
publican party. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Alliance, and takes an active in- 
terest in the M^elfare and advancement of the 
community in which he lives. Mr. Rora- 
baugh was united in marriage, January 3, 
1887, to Miss Emma Shafenberg, a daughter 
of Fred and Elizabetli (Cook) Siiafenberg, 
natives of Germany. She was born in Elk- 
hart County, Indiana, March 28, 1863. Mr. 
Rorabaugh and wife are the parents of one 
child — Juanetia. 

-.. go . T - g ..^^ 



ILAS FRITZ was born in Butler Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1824, 
and is the son of Martin L. and Mary 
(Huffman) Fritz, natives of Germany and 
Pennsylvania, respectively. Until sixteen 
years of age he lived on a farm in his native 
State, and attended the subscription schools; 
at that age he went to Ohio, wliere he re- 
mained fourteen months, and then went to 
Indiana, settling in Owen County — making 
this his home for twenty-eight years. He 
then removed to Missouri, and in 1870 he 
came to Iowa and located in Palo Alto 



*!0 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



County. He next removed to Cass County, 
and in 1874 he came to Shelby County, since 
then making liis home in Jackson and Jeffer- 
son townships. Mr. Fritz was married. May 
16, 1848, to Miss Letitia Arthur, daughter 
of Reuben and Lavinia Arthur, who was born 
in Kentucky, January 29, 1829. They are 
the parents of ten children — R. A., M. L., 
Mary L., Joseph (deceased), S. B., E. M., A. 
J., W. A., John F., and Sarah J. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Fritz is a staunch supporter of the 
Union Labor party. S. B. Fritz, the fifth 
child of Silas and Letitia Fritz, was born in 
Owen County, Indiana, February 22, 1857. 
At the age of twelve years his parents re- 
moved to Missouri, remaining there one year; 
then they came to Iowa, locating in Palo 
Alto County, and afterward lived in Cass 
and Shelby counties. S. B., the subject of 
this biography, was reared to farm life, and 
educated in the common schools. After a 
residence of two years in Shelby County he 
went to the Black Hills, Dakota, remaining 
there until 1881 engaged in mining for 
gold. On liis return to Shelby County in 
1881 he rented a farm in the southern part 
of the county for one year. At the expira- 
tion of this time he came to Jefferson Town- 
ship, and rented a farm for three years, and 
then came to Botna, engaging in the mercan- 
tile business; this he operated alone for about 
one year, when he established a grain market 
in connection with his mercantile interests. 
He has done an extensive business in grain, 
his annual shipments reaching 350 cars. Mr. 
Fritz is a live, energetic man, and has made 
his way from the bottom of the ladder to his 
present position. In the begiiming of his 
mercantile venture he carried a stock of $500, 
and gradually increased it, until he now car- 
ries $5,000 in a well-selected stock of goods. 
Mr. Fritz has done much toward the building 
up of Shelby Cownty; he has erected some 



good buildings and an elevator at Botna, arid 
has made other improvements whicli have 
proven a benefit to the county. In January, 
1889, he disposed of his mercantile and other 
interests in Botna and removed to a farm in 
section 15, Jefferson Township. Mr. Fritz 
was married May 11, 1884, to Sarah Slisher, 
daughter of Hero and Johanna Slisher, resi- 
dents of Shelby County. Mrs. Fritz was 
born in Peoria, Illinois, January 4, 1855. 
They are the parents of two children — Helen 
and Gracie. Mr. Fritz is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. Politically he is a staunch 
Democrat. 

---<1->>1'%-" 



H. KEYES, a native of Sangamon 
County, Illinois, was born February 
* 4, 1840. He is a son of Gershom and 
Matilda (Matheny) Keyes, and was reared to 
farm life, receiving his education in the com- 
mon schools. At the breaking out of the 
late civil war, when there was a call for men 
to defend the flag of this nation, Mr. Keyes 
responded, enlisting in Company B, Thirty- 
third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was 
wounded March 28, 1865, near Mobile, Ala- 
bama, during the investing of Fort Spanish. 
He was thus disabled for active service dur- 
ing the remainder of the war. He partici- 
pated in a number of hard-fougiit battles, 
and after four years' service was discharged 
as Sergeant, having entered as a private. 
After the close of the rebellion he returned 
to his native county, pursuing his old avoca- 
tion — farming. He resided in Sangamon 
and Christian counties until 1869, when he 
removed to Bourbon County, Kansas; there 
he lived until 1882, when he came to Shelby 
County, and settled on section 9, of Greeley 
Township, liis farm consisted of eighty 
acres of unimproved land, which he has 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



331 



placed under good cultivation. He has made 
many valuable improvements in the way of 
erecting buildings and planting groves. He 
has added to his first purchase forty acres 
adjoining. He devotes himself to farming 
and stock-raising. Politically he is a staunch 
Republican. He is a member of Phelps' 
Post, No. 438, G. A. R. Mr. Keyes was 
married August 8, 1871, to Miss Hattie 
Burt, daughter of H. W. and Mary M. (Stam) 
Burt. Mrs. Keyes was born in Dodge County, 
Wisconsin, April 25, 1848. They are the 
parents of two children — Gertie, born Decem- 
ber 10, 1874, and Edwin C, born January 
25, 1883. They are worthy and consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



jOBERT PETERSON DAMMAND, 

^ photographer, Harlan, is a native of Den- 
''^^ mark, born in Horsens, September 6, 
1855. He is a son of P. R. and Elizabeth 
(Anderson) Dammand, natives of Denmark. 
When he was thirteen years old his father 
died. He was reared on a farm, and received 
his education in the common schools of his 
country, which he attended until he was four- 
teen years old. After leaving school he went 
on the farm, and remained a year and a half; 
then he went to the city of Horsens, where 
he engaged in various occupations until he 
came to America in 1873. He landed at 
I'ortland, Maine, and went from there to 
Montreal, Canada; he then went to Racine, 
Wisconsin, where he engaged in a wagon 
factory. He worked at this for some time, 
and then went on a farm, where he staid for 
a year and a half and then returned to his 
native country. There he worked at the car- 
penter's trade for three years, and afterward 
attended school for awhile. At the age of 
twenty-two he entered the army, according to 

26 



the requirements of the Danish government, 
and served for fifteen months. After leaving 
the army he began the study of the photog- 
rapher's art, and served an apprenticeship 
of eight months, when his employer died, 
and he again returned to his former trade of 
carpentering. He worked at that until 1880, 
when he, accompanied by his n)other and 
sisters, cairie to America and settled in Story 
City, Iowa. Here Mr. Dammand remained 
four months, when he went to Des Moines 
and engaged in photography. Here he re- 
mained three years, and then went to Hough- 
ton, Michigan, where he resided one year. 
January 10, 1885, he came to Harlan and 
purchased the gallery of F. Reynolds, and 
has since been doing a profitable and satis- 
factory business. Mr. Dammand was united 
in marriage August 11, 1887, to Mrs. Lettie 
Potter, who was a native of Whiteside 
County, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick 
Ilille. Mr. and Mrs. Dammand are the 
parents of one child — Vera Lenore. Mrs. 
Dammand is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and Mr. Dammand is a 
member of the Danish Lutheran church. 
Politically he is independent. 



►>^ 



fUDGE NATHAN W. MACY, Harlan, 
has been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County since the autumn of 1879. 
He is a native of Indiana, born in Henry 
County, March 25, 1848; he is a son of 
Nathan and Jane (Wilson) Macy, natives of 
North Carolina. Nathan Macy, Sr., came 
to Henry County about the year 1830, and 
was married there; he followed farming until 
1862, when he emigrated to Cedar County, 
Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his 
days; he died in 1868, aged sixty-five 
years. The mother died in Indiana in 



332 



HiarORT OF HUELBY COUNTY. 



1857, at the agfe of forty-two years. Na- 
than W. Macy spent his youth in assisting 
Ills father on the farm and in attending tlie 
public schools. At the age of fourteen he 
came to Cedar County, Iowa, where he at- 
tended school, and graduated from the Nor- 
mal and classical department of the State 
University at Iowa City. In 1873 and 187-i 
he was principal of the schools at West Lib- 
erty, Iowa. He began the study of his pro- 
fession in 1874, and graduated in 1875; he 
commenced the practice of law in the fall of 
1875, in Adel, Dallas County, with the firm 
of Willard & Calvert; the firm was known as 
"VVillard, Calvert & Macy. In the fall of 
1876 Mr. Macy abandoned his profession on 
account of weakness of his eyes. For three 
years he was principal of the schools at West 
Branch, Cedar County. In the fall of 1879 
he came to Harlan, and formed a partnership 
with Mr. D. W. Smith, the firm being Macy 
& Smith. After one year Mr. Smith was ap- 
pointed deputy State treasurer, and withdrew 
from the firm. In November, 1882, Mr. 
Macy formed a partnership with Mr. Gam- 
mon, which continued until Mr. Macy was 
elected judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Dis- 
trict, comprising Fremont, Page, Montgom- 
ery, Mills, Pottawattamie, Cass, Shelby and 
Audubon counties, when the partnership was 
dissolved. Mr. Macy was'married October 5, 
1875, to Miss Eunice Chambers, a native of 
Ohio, and a daughter of John Chambers. By 
this union one child was born, that died in in- 
fancy, Mr. and Mrs. Macy are members of the 
Society of Friends. Mr. Macy is a Republican. 

S - 2 .. I ' | .'->~ 



jANIEL W. CHASE, grocer, of Harlan, 
came to Shelby County in the fall of 
1879. He is a native of New York, 
born in Oneida County, November 10, 1849. 



He is a son of Oliver T. Chase, a native of 
the same county and a son of Seth Chase, a 
descendant of William Chase, who was one 
of three brothers who came from England in 
1070 and settled in Brattleboro, Vermont. 
During the latter part of the last century the 
Chase family settled in Otsego County, New 
York. The subject of this sketch is one of 
the ninth generation. His father, Oliver T., 
followed farming in New York until he emi- 
grated to Iowa in 1880. He was married in 
1843 to Miss Philena Walling, a native of 
New York, born in Columbia County. She 
was a daughter of Ebeuezer Walling. The 
ancestors of Mr. Chase, on the paternal side, 
were from England, and from Holland on the 
maternal side. He and his wife were the 
parents of three children, all of whom survive 
— George P., of Dawes County, Nebraska; 
Daniel W. and Newton II. As before stated, 
the family came to Harlan in 1879, where 
the father died March 24, 1882, at the age of 
sixty-four years. Mrs. Chase still lives in 
Harlan. They were both members of the 
Paptist church. Mr. Chase was an old-line 
Whig, but upon the organization of the Re- 
publican party he cast his suffrage with that 
party. Daniel W., the subject of this sketch, 
was reared on a farm and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. Ho lived with 
his parents until he reached his majority. 
He was married December 4, 1871, to Miss 
Malissa Pornt, a native of Otsego County, 
New York. Py this union one child was 
born — Etta M. Chase. Mrs. Chase died July 
29, 1875. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Chase 
took a trip through the west. February 8, 
1876, he was again married to Miss Nellie 
Cady, a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Py 
this marriage two children were born — Kitty 
Pelle and Rosalie. Mr. Chase engaged in 
the grocery business when he came to Har- 
lan, and has built up a large and profitable 



HWOBAPHTCAL SKETCHES. 



333 



trade. He is the leading grocer of Harlan. 
Mr. Chase occupies the corner store in the 
Opera-House Block, and carries a large stock 
of groceries and queensware. He and his 
wife are members of the Baptist church. He 
is a llepublican. 

— S - i i' i ' S" " " — 



jAVID B. SHELLEB, of the firm of 
Sheller & Plielps, real-estate, loans and 
abstracts, at Harlan, was born in Carroll 
County, Hlinois, September 6, 1853. He is 
a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Butterbaugh) 
Sheller, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of 
German ancestry. Mr. Sheller was reared on 
a farm, receiving a common-school education. 
He resided with his parents until he was 
twenty-three years old. In December, 1875, 
he came to Iowa, and accepted a posi- 
tion in the Dallas Bank, of Dallas Centre, 
Iowa, where he remained until March 22, 
1880; he then came to Harlan and formed 
a partnership with J. I. Myerly, and 
engaged in his present business. In Jan- 
nary, 1882, Mr. J. W. Harrod became asso- 
ciated with the firm, which was then known 
as Myerly, Sheller & Harrod. The business 
was thus continued until the following June, 
when Mr. Myerly withdrew, and the business 
was continued by Sheller & Harrod. Jan- 
uary 25, 1887, Mr. Harrod withdrew, and 
Mr. Sheller continued alone until tlie follow- 
ing November, when he took Mr. D. Phelps 
as a partner. The firm is now known as 
Sheller & Phelps; they transact a successful 
business, principally in abstracts, loans and 
real-estate. Mr. Sheller was married No- 
vember 6, 1880, to Miss Tiieda Allen, a 
native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of W. 
T. and Julia Allen. Mrs. Sheller is a mem- 
ber and zealous worker in the Congregational 
church. Mr. Sheller is a.member of the A. 



F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Oli- 
vet Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Command- 
ery. No.* 49; and Lebanon Chapter, Order of 
the Eastern Star, No. 8. He has been sec- 
retary of the Shelby County Agricultural 
Society since 1885, and is now secretary of 
Harlan Business Association, and secretary 
and treasurer of Western Iowa Poultry 
and Pet Stock Association. 

„^, f . l , ,t . % .,.^ 



jIlgkjON. M. K. CAMPBELL, Cashier of the 
Shelby County Bank. In looking 
through the histories of the body of re- 
sponsible men of the country, the men who 
turn the wheel, we find that the majority of 
them either lived until early manhood, or 
else through boyhood, upon a farm. So it 
will seem that no fault can be found with 
the influence that early communion with Nat- 
ure has upon the full years of manhood. M. 
K. Campbell, the subject of this biography, 
has been found well equipped and fully equal 
to the duties that have devolved upon him, 
and Shelby County has not been the loser 
thereby; her interests have been identical 
with his since 1873, when he came to Shelby 
County to live. Mr. Campbell was born in 
the Buckeye State, Belmont County, Novem- 
ber 1, 1837; he is a son of William and Mary 
(Kerr) Campbell, who were formerly from 
Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent. When 
only a small boy he came to Iowa with Will- 
iam Ramodge, with whom he made his home 
until he went into the army. He first set- 
tled in Jasper County, engaging in various 
pursuits; he attended the Central University, 
Pilla, Iowa, and tauglit school for a time. 
At the breaking out of tiie civil war he re- 
sponded to tlie call for defenders of our na- 
tion's flag. He enlisted July 14, 1861, in 
the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company 



334 



HISTORY OF SUELBr COUNTY. 



B. After the regiment was organized at 
Burlington, they went to Keokuk, and then 
to Missouri, where they remained until the 
following spring, when they went sonth. Mr. 
Campbell participated in the following bat- 
tles: New Madrid, Missouri, luka, Corinth, 
and the expedition down the Yazoo Pass; 
during this march, in the spring of 1863, he 
contracted a malarial fever, which unfitted 
him for duty for the rest of his term of serv- 
ice. He was honorably discharged in Aug- 
ust, 1864. He returned to Jasper County, 
and was married September 6, 1864, to Miss 
Mary E. Currier, a native of Indiana, and a 
daughter of Rev. Joshua Currier. He en- 
sased in the mercantile business until he 
came to Shelby County, in the autumn of 
1873; he then settled upon an unimproved 
tract of land in Lincoln Township, one and a 
half miles from Harlan, where J. H. Lewis 
now lives; here he improved a farm of 160 
acres, and resided until 1881, when he re- 
moved to Harlan. He then engaged in the 
land business for a short time, and in De- 
cember, 1880, he aided in the organization of 
one of Shelby County's solid institutions, 
the Shelby County Bank. He was chosen 
one of the directors, and in August, 1883, he 
was elected cashier of the bank, and has since 
held this position. In 1876 Mr. Campbell 
was elected by the liepublican party to rep- 
resent the counties of Shelby, Cass, Adair 
and Audubon in the Sixteentli General As- 
sembly, serving one term. Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell were the parents of three children, 
one of whom survives — CarlC, who is being 
educated at Grinnell College; Gracie died 
when four years of age, and Fanny, at the age 
of nineteen years, while attending Tabor Col- 
lege. Mrs. Campbell was called from her 
husband and children to her last rest, in Feb- 
ruary, 1882. She was a worthy member of 
the Baptist church. Mr. Campbell was united 



in marriage to Miss Bertha Todd, of Tabor, 
Iowa, September 27, 1884; she is a daugliter 
of the Rev. John Todd. Mr. and Mrs. Camp- 
bell are both active and worthy members of 
the Congregational church. Politically Mr. 
Campbell lends his support to the Republi- 
can party. 

— ■S - : " : - ^ - - 



HARROD, ex clerk of the Shelby 
County Court, has been identitied with 
' the interests of the county since his 
residence here, which began in July, 1871. 
He was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 12, 
1843, and is a son of John and Rachel (Veatch) 
Harrod, natives of Pennsylvania. The former 
was born in Washington County, and is a son 
of Michael Harrod, of English ancestry; the 
latter was born in Greene County — a daugh- 
ter of Nathan Veatch, of Scotch descent. 
John Harrod settled in Knox County, Ohio, 
in 1814, where he claimed a farm from out 
the heart of the forest; here he remained 
to the end of his earthly career, follow- 
ing agricultural pursuits, tie departed this 
life May 26, 1879 at the age of seven- 
ty-two years. He and his wife were the 
parents of eleven children, nine of whom 
grew to maturity, and eight of whom still 
survive. Mrs. Ilarrod still lives on the old 
homestead, at the advanced age of eighty- 
three years. II. Harrod, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared on a fiirm, and received 
his education in the common schools; he re- 
mained with his parents uritil his majority. 
In 1865 lie came to Iowa, and settled on a 
farm, that was unimproved, in Poweshiek 
County, where he remained until January, 
1871. He then came to Shelby County, and 
settled in Shelby, engaging in general mer- 
cantile business; he followed this alone for a 
year and a half, when his brother became as- 



BIOGRAPniCAL SKETCHES. 



335 



sociated with hiin, and tlie firm was known 
as Ilarrod Brothers. This firm continued 
until the summer of 1876, when they sold 
out. II. Ilarrod then occupied hiinself in 
dealing in stock for about one year, at the 
end of which time he returned to his home, 
and cared for his father and the home farm 
until the death of liis father; he settled the 
estate, and returned to Iowa in 1884. He 
purchased 240 acres of improved laud in 
Lincoln ToM'nship, section 22, and followed 
farming until he was elected clerk of the 
court, in the fall of 1886. He has attended 
to the duties of this ottice in connection with 
his farm work, directing special attention to 
stock-raising. Mr. Harrod was married Sep- 
tember 27, 1868, to Miss Harriet L. Shearer, 
a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
John and Sarah (Snell) Shearer, both of Ger- 
man descent. They were the parents of four 
children — Charles E., John Sherman, Mary 
L. and Ada E. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Christian church. Charles E. and 
John Sherman are also members of the Chris- 
tian church. Politically Mr. Harrod affil- 
iates with the Republican party. When 
residing in Shelby he was appointed j)ost- 
master under President Grant's administra- 
tion, and served for two years. 



►>^ 



jWIGIlT TERRILL, farmer and stock- 
raiser, section 1, Harlan Township, is 
the oldest living settler in tlie eastern 
part of Shelby County, Iowa, having come 
here in August, 1853. He is a native 
of Ohio, born in Lorain County, July 8, 
1830. He is a son of Horace J. and Minerva 
(McNeal) Terrill, natives of Connecticut. 
Dwight Terrill's grandfather was the first set- 
tler in Ridgcvillo Township, Lorain County, 
Ohio, and an aunt of his was the first white 



woman who settled in Ridgeville Town- 
ship. His parents were reared and married 
in Lorain County, and there reared their own 
family of thirteen children, of w^iom eight 
still survive. Uwight was fourteen years old 
when his family removed to tlie Territory of 
Iowa, and settled in Monroe County, where 
he made a claim; here the mother died. The 
father died in Sullivan County, Missouri. 
When thirteen years of age, our subject started 
out to seek his own fortune; he worked on a 
farm in Monroe County for two months, and 
then went to Ray County, Missouri, where he 
worked on a farm, receiving from $8 to $10 
per month for his labor. He then returned 
to Iowa, and engaged in various occupations 
until his marriage to Miss Louisa Tinsley, in 
February, 1853. Miss Tinsley was a native 
of Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas Tins- 
ley, who was among the pioneers of Iowa. 
The following fall Mr. and Mrs. Terrill re- 
moved to what is now Shelby County, and 
took a claim, which they purchased at the 
first government land sale. Mr. Terrill after- 
ward entered 120 acres more, which he began 
to improve. Mrs. Terrill died September 23, 
1853. Mr. Terrill was again married, No- 
vember 15, 1854, to Miss Catherine Bowman, 
a daughter of Leonard Bowman, who was a 
native of Pennsylvania; he drifted west with 
civilization, and settled in Iowa; Bowman's 
Grove is named for him. Mrs. Terrill was 
born in Elkhart County, Indiana; her father 
died in June, 1877, at the age of eighty-three 
years. Mr. Terrill resided upon his farm, 
which he improved and sold in 1862, and 
removed to Cass County, Nebraska; here he 
resided four years. He then went to Taylor 
County, Iowa, and settled on a farm on the 
Missouri line, half of the farm lying in Mis- 
souri ; here he resided for eight years and sold 
out, and returned to Shelby County. Here 
he purchased his Iiome farm of 320 acres; it 



336 



HISTORY OF SUBLET COUNTY. 



is well-improved and is in a fine state of cul- 
tivation. Mr. and Mrs. Terrill are the parents 
of four children, three of whom still survive 
— Asa, of Tiijlor County, Iowa; Minerva, 
(deceased), wife o<f Charles Gish; Daniel, of 
this county, and Leora. Politically, Mr. 
Terrill affiliates with the Democratic party. 
He is a self-made man, and hy his iiidustry 
and exertion has accumulated a large property, 
which he uses to the best advantage in sur- 
rounding himself and family with all the 
comforts of life. In the late civil war he 
enlisted April, 1863, in the Second Nebraska 
Cavalry, Company F, and served in northern 
Dakota. He participated in one hard-fought 
battle with the Indians. He served nine 
months, and was honorably discharged in 
December, 1863. He was mustered out of 
the service at Nebraska City. 



S - ioI - g .'- 

Ij^ORENZO D. SUNDERLAND, farmer 
'Uf'fi and stock-raiser, Harlan Township, is 
■^55^ one of the oldest settlers on the east 
side of Shelby County. He is a native of 
Ohio, born in Fayette County, June 24, 1825, 
and is the son of Francis D. and Permelia 
(Knight) Sunderland, natives of Virginia, 
who came to Ohio at an early day. The 
father died when Lorenzo D. was an infant. 
At the age of six years he was taken to the 
home of one Nathan Coft'man, with whom he 
lived until he grew to manhood. March 12, 
1849, he, with several friends, made up a 
company to go to California. They went to 
St. Joseph, Missouri, where they organized, 
and started with mule teams, May 1, 1849. 
One hundred and four days were consumed 
in crossing the plains, in which time tliey 
encountered storms and Indians, with whom 
they had considerable trouble. They landed 
at Auburn, on the north fork of tlie Ameri- 



can River. They started with 104 men, and 
reorganized twice on the journey, and arrived 
in California with four teams. Tlieir tent 
was the second one pitched in that part of 
the country. On his arrival Mr. Sunderland 
engaged in mining, which he followed suc- 
cessfully until the next June. He then re- 
turned to Ohio by way of the Isthmus of 
I'anama and New York, being the first per- 
son to bring gold from California mines to 
New York. The gold dust was taken to the 
mint at Philadelpiiia and coined. Mr. Sun- 
derland still has the receipt from the govern- 
ment for the gold. He remained in Ohio 
some time after his arrival, and tlien went to 
Howard County, Indiana, and jiurchased 160 
acres of land, with the intention of farming 
it. He was married June 29, 1851, to Miss 
Mary E. Lucas, a native of Ross County, 
Ohio, and a daughter of the Rev. Richard 
and Mary E. (Kirkendall) Lucas, of German 
descent. After liis marriage he sold his farm 
in Indiana, and renioved with iiis father-in- 
law's family to Champaign County, Illinois. 
Here he purchased eighty acres of partially 
improved land, and resided upon it for one 
year. In February, 1852, he went to Kains- 
ville, now Council BluflFs, and then came to 
Shelby County and entered eiglity acres of 
trood land. He built a cabin and made some 
hay. In the spring of 1854 lie removed his 
family to this place. He afterward entered 
240 acres of government land, and has en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns 
a landed estate of 780 acres of improved 
land in a high state of cultivation. He has 
also assisted his children to procure homes of 
their own._ Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland are the 
parents of ten children, of whom eight are 
still living — Nevada Errett, wife of William 
H. Errett; Leroy and Leora Sunderland; 
Nancy Jane Errett, wife of Z. T. Errett; 
Juliette Bates, wife of Abner Rates; William 




(^*^y^^coxA^ < p, J0A-t^\'OAyUnyVvtri''vWir 




X^ ^ aU. .^f^i^^i^^^^nolM/^t^^o^y^e^. 



BIOORAPHICAL SKBTCIIBIS. 



311 



Sunderland; Lucy Firebaugh, wife of Frank 
Firebaugli; Belle Westrope, wife of O. D. 
Westrope; C. N. Sunderland and Ida May 
Sunderland. Leroy and Leora Sunderland 
were twins, born June 23, 1855, and both 
are now dead. Leroy died when he was one 
and one-half years old, and Leora died when 
she was seventeen years, eight months and 
seventeen days old. Mr. Snnderland was the 
first school director in the county. In 1864 
he was elected sheriff, and served one year, 
and a half. He was deputy sheriff for several 
years. He was one of the promoters of the 
Agricultural Society, and has been a director 
since its organization. He is a charter mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Alliance, and was its first 
vice-president. He is a member of the L O. 
O. F., Harlan Lodge, No. 264. His politi- 
cal sympathy is with the Democratic party, 
liaving cast his first vote for Lewis Cass. 
Mr. Sunderland makes a specialty of Pole 
Angus stock. He now has a herd of thirty- 
two head, of which six head are full-blooded. 




BILLIAM B. McGORRISK, grain 
]| dealer, Harlan, is a native of Illi- 
nois, born in La Salle County, Octo- 
ber 31, 1857. He is a son of E. J. and Mary 
McGorrisk. E. J. McGorrisk was born in 
Ireland, County of Armagh. He came to 
America when about sixteen years of age, 
and settled in Montreal, Canada, where he 
studied medicine and afterward practiced his 
profession for a time. He went to (Jalena, 
Illinois, where he practiced awhile, and tlieii 
settled in Seneca, Illinois. Here he married 
Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Grotty, a pio- 
neer of La Salle County, who built the canal 
from Joliet to Peru, Illinois, and also lai<l 
out the town of Seneca. He was a native o' 
Cork, Ireland, and after coming to this coun- 



try resided in Maryland until he removed to 
Illinois. Mr. McGorrisk's parents moved to 
Iowa in 1858, and settled in Des Moines, 
where the father practiced his profession. 
William B. passed his youth in this city, at- 
tending the public schools, until the death of 
hie mother in 1870. He then went to Seneca, 
Illinois, and remained there for four years. 
He then went to Notre Dame, South Bend, 
Indiana, and graduated from this institution 
in 1882. He had no settled occupation until 
1883, when he engaged in the grain business, 
which he followed successfully for two years 
in Harlan. At the end of this time he sold 
out, and was away from Harlan until January, 
1889, when he returned and purchased the 
elevator known as No. 1. Mr. McGorrisk 
was married September 19, 1887, to Miss 
Harriet M. Hunt, a daughter of Daniel and 
Harriet M. Hunt, of Avoca, and a native 
of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. McGorrisk are the 
parents of one child — Anna Hunt McGor- 
risk. Mr. McGorrisk is a member of the 
Roman Catholic church. In his political 
thought and action he is independent. 



r^gjENTHUS BILLETER (deceased) was 
one of the pioneers of Shelby County, 
lie was a native of Kentuckj'', Ijorn in 
Elkhart County, September 12, 1820, and a 
son of Levi and Mary (Patterson) Billcter, of 
Scotch ancestry. He was reared on a farm, 
and remained with his parents until he was 
eighteen years old, when he began work for 
himself by splitting rails. When he was 
quite young the family removed to Ohio, 
and then to Clay County, Indiana, where he 
grew to manhood. He was married in 1840 
to Miss Susaima Beauchamp, a native of In- 
tliana, and a daughter of David Beauchamp, 
who came from England to the United 



313 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



States. After his marriage Mr. Billeter set- 
tled on a farm near Terre Hante, Indiana, 
where lie resided until 1856, when he emi- 
grated to western Iowa, lie first settled in 
Harrison County, and then removed to Ne- 
braska, but did not remain there long on 
account of tlie Indians. In the spring of 
1858 he came to Shelby County, and bought 
160 acres of unimproved land. He had sev- 
eral head of oxen which he fattened and sold 
to pay for his land; after the payment was 
made he had three cents left, but by hard 
work and close attention to his business he 
soon had the farm under good cultivation. 
His father settled in Harrison County, and 
remained there the balance of iiis days. He 
added to his land until he had 360 acres in 
a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. 
Billeter were the parents of seven ciiildren, 
who still survive. Susanna died at the age 
of eighteen months. Tlie other children are 
■="Sarah, wife of Byrum Helm, of Taylor 
County; Mary, wife of L. L. Jarvis, of Har- 
lan; Jackson, of Brown County, Nebraska; 
Levi Penthus, William II. and John. Mr. 
and Mrs. Billeter were members of the 
Dunkard church. Mrs. Billeter died May 
14, 1873, aged fifty-three years; Mr. Billeter 
departed this life November 6, 1886, at the 
age of sixty-six years. Levi Billeter, son of 
Penthus Billeter, was born in Harrison 
County, Iowa, December 3, 1856. When he 
was two years old iiis j)arentscame to Slielby 
County. He was reared on a farm, and re- 
sided with his parents until their death. He 
received his education in the common schools. 
He was married August 26, 1886, to Miss 
ElKe McAnelly, a native of Iowa County, 
Iowa, a daughter of Moses and Mary IVIc- 
Anelly, who came to this county in 1881. 
After his marriage Mr. Billeter settled on a 
part of the old homestead, where he has a 
fine farm of eighty acres. Mr. and Mrs. iJill- 



eter are the parents of one child — Earl 
liaymond. Politically Mr. Billeter affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 

— '^'^• 3 " r . g ..^ — 



I^^EV. WILLIAM McGINNESS is one 
I of the prominent pioneers of Shelby 
County, having been identified with its 
history since 1856. He is a native of Ken- 
tucky, born in Campbell County, September 
25, 1814. He is a son of William and Mary 
(Mitcheltree) McGinness. The father was 
born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and 
was a son of Samuel McGinness, who came to 
this country with eleven brothers and cousins, 
and settled in Philadelphia. Here Samuel 
McGinness followed the trade of a baker 
until the beginning of the revolutionary war, 
when he enlisted in defense of his adopted 
country; he served five years and six months 
under General Washington. Tlie father of 
our subject, William McGinness, was reared 
in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was 
there married to Mary Mitcheltree, a daugh- 
ter of George Mitcheltree, who came from 
County Tyrone, Ireland, when Mary (Mrs. 
McGinness) was a young lady. William 
McGinness and wife resided in Pennsylvania 
until after the birth of two children, when 
they emigrated to Nicholas County, and 
thence to Campbell County, Kentucky, in 
1811, where they resided until 1817. They 
then removed to Switzerland County, In- 
diana, and afterward to Hancock County, 
Indiana, where the mother died in 1831 and 
the father in 1833. They were the parents 
of ten children, five sons and five daughters, 
of whom William is the youngest. Our sub- 
ject was reared to farming pursuits, and re- 
sided with his parents until their death, when 
he inherited the home place. Here he lived 
until 1837, with the exception of one year 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



343 



spent on the Oliio lliver. In March, 1838, 
he started west, coming up the Mississippi 
River and landing at Pine Creek. He set- 
tled in the Blackhawk purchase, tlien Wis- 
consin Territory, which was organized into 
Iowa Territory the following fourth of July. 
Afterward he took up a claim in what is now 
Linn County, and broke and improved fifty 
acres, which he sold in 1839. William 
McGinuess was married May 2, 1840, to 
Miss Mary Donehoo, a native of Clayborn 
County, Virginia, and a daughter of John 
and Keziah (Yehne) Donehoo. In 1839 Mrs. 
McGinness's parents moved to Iowa. After 
his marriage William McGinness engaged in 
the saw-mill business, and in 1844 he removed 
to Wapello County, Iowa, where he took a 
claim, which he improved and sold, and 
again entered 200 acres of wild land in 
Adams Township. Here he built the third 
cabin in the township, and improved the 
place, and resided upon it until 1852. He 
then started west, going to Kaiiisville, now 
Council Bluffs, witli four yoke of oxen, 
which were stolen from him. He there 
bought a claim and sold it, and rented land, 
and earned the money with which he bought 
his present farm in Shelby County. The 
farm contained 140 acres, and cost $6.60 per 
acre. In the fall of 1856 Mr. McGinnis 
nioved into the cabin on his place, which 
already sheltered one family, and thirteen 
people lived otic winter in this cabin, 12 x 14 
feet. Here Mr. McGinness has since resided, 
improving his place, and making a comfort- 
able home. In 1858 he was licensed to 
preach in the Methodist Episcopal church, 
which he joined in 1833. He is one of the 
pioneer preachers, and has held services in 
thirty-five school-houses, in tlie old court- 
house, in the present court-house, and in the 
cluirches. He has organized three classes. 
lie has been present at the celebration of our 



national independence, July 4th, since 1888; 
at tliat time there were only tiiree people to 
celebrate. In 1861 he went to Central City, 
Colorado, and returned the following fall. 
Mr. and Mrs. McGinness are the parents of 
ten children — two sons and eight daughters. 
Eight lived to maturity, and five still survive 
^Mary, Emily, Sarah (deceased), Henry M., 
John A., Nancy J. (deceased), Ellen, Ilattie, 
and one child who died in infancy. Mr. 
McGinness has served in local offices of trust 
and responsibility. Politically, he affiliates 
with the Kepublican party; he was formerly 
an old-line Whig, and cast his first presiden- 
tial vote for Scott. 

S n ; . ^ !...... 



■V 



,f^EORGE K. PATTERSON, of Harlan, 
is a native of Iowa, born in Marion 
County, December 10, 1860; he is a son 
of H. W. Patterson, a native of Ohio, born in 
Athens County in 1836; his father was Moses 
Patterson, who was among the pioneers of 
Ohio, and of Scotch and Irish ancestry. H. 
W. Patterson was reared on a farm in liis na- 
tive country, receiving a common-school edu- 
cation. He was married to Miss Eleanor 
Carder, a native of Connecticut, and a daugh- 
ter of Henry Carder, of Puritan ancestry. In 
1857 they emigrated to Iowa and settled in 
Marion County; here Mr. Patterson followed 
farming until the breaking out of the late 
war. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-third 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company A, serv- 
ing until the close of the war, when lie re- 
turned to Marion County. In the fall of 1865 
he removed to Chariton, Lucas County, where 
he remained two years; from this place he 
went to Dallas County where he resided one 
year. In the spring of 1809 he came to 
Shelby County and purchased a farm in Har- 
lan Township, in Bowman's Grove; he im- 



344 



inSTORT OF SHELBY COUNT T. 



proved this place and lived upon it until 1873, 
when he moved to Jackson Township, where 
he lived until he was elected sherift', in the 
fall of 1S81; he then moved to Harlan and 
served one year, when he was taken ill and 
died December 19, 1882. His wife still sur- 
vives and lives in Harlan. They were the 
parents of ten children, live of whom are liv- 
ing — George K., Moses H., Chandler R., 
Caroline and Ota. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson 
were members of the Baptist church. Mr. 
Patterson was a member of the Republican 
party. The boyhood of our subject, George 
K., was spent in the majiner of most youths 
living on a farm. He was nine years old 
when he came to Shelby County, and re- 
mained at home until the death of his father. 
In the autumn of 1882 he began to learn the 
trade of a barber, serving an apprenticeship; 
lie afterward worked as a journeyman, and in 
the spring of 1885 purchased the shop where 
he had learned his trade. Here he worked for 
a year and a half, and then sold out and worked 
as a journeyman for a short time; he then 
bought an interest in his present shop, and in 
1887 he bought out his partner, and is doing 
a thriving business. He was married Sep- 
tember 7, 1884, to Miss Anna Clark, a native 
of Tipton, Iowa. They are the parents of two 
children — Edna May and George; both of 
these children died in December, 1887, the 
younger being taken the 7t]i, and the older 
the 19th; both died of diphtheritic croup. 

■■ Mg . 2. . i , g .... • 



^T^ S. CROFT, anative of Coshocton County, 
"'^- Ohio, was born May 28, 1846, the son 
l** of Geo. W. and Mary M. (Saner) Croft. 
When eight years old he came to Iowa with 
his parents, who located in Dubuque County, 
on a farm; subsequently they removed to 
Franklin County, Iowa, and in 1865 removed to 



Page County, remaining something over two 
years; thence our subject m^de a trip to Wy- 
oming Territory, where he Sj)ent about two 
years and a half, after which he returned to 
Page County. September 18, 1876, he was 
married to Alice Steel, daughter of Eli and 
Mary Steel; she was born April 25, 1860. 
They are the parents of six children — Lloyd 
C, Bertha E., Ida M., Lee J., Roy B., Nora 
E., all of whom are at home. Mr. Croft 
came to Shelby County in 1876, and located 
on an unimproved farm of 160 acres in sec- 
tion 21 in Douglas Township; this he has 
cultivated and improved until he has a beau- 
tiful home with a tine farm residence and 
barn for stock and grain. He has labored 
hard and diligently in preparing this home, 
and merits the approval of all. He holds the 
esteem and confidence of his neighbors, as is 
shown by their choosing him to officiate in 
the many township offices. He has held the 
office of township trustee, served on the 
school board, and is present assessor. He 
takes an active interest in politics, and is a 
strong supporter of the Republican party. 
He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. 

S ' ^"^ ' S" ' " 



.^jgENTHUS BILLETER is an exception to 
most of the persons mentioned in this 
history, in this, that he is an lowan by 
birth, and not by adoption. He was born in 
Shelby County, November 9, 1858, and is a 
son of Penthus Billetcr, whose biography ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume. Penthus, Jr., 
was reared on the old homestead, and his 
youth was spentin assisting his father, and in 
attending school. He was married February 
13, 1883, to Miss Emma White, a native of 
Whiteside County, Illinois, a daughter of 
Michael White, of Irish descent. After his 
marriage Mr. Billeter rented land from place 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



345 



to place until 1885, when he removed to the 
homestead, where he carried on farming, 
making a specialty of Poland hogs. The farm 
contains 211 acres. Mr. and Mrs. J'illeter 
are the parents of one child — Stella. Politi- 
cally Mr. Billeter affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

^ ' I ' ' t ' ^ 



iNTHONY McKEEVER, a native of 
La Grange County, Indiana, was born 
August 27, 1838. He is the son of 
Reuben and Jane (Umphries) McKeever, 
natives of Virginia and Ohio. When An- 
thony was thirteen years of age he came with 
his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, locating 
on a farm, and as a farmer he was reared. 
His education, which was received in the 
common schools, was very limited, as his 
services were needed at home on the farm. 
Deprived as he was of the usual amount of 
schooling in his youthful days, and realizing 
the need of such improvement, he has applied 
himself untiringly in the endeavor to secure 
a practical education; in this he has been 
quite successful, and you will find him to-day 
equal, if not superior, to many who were more 
favored and had all the advantages of a 
thorough course in some of the best schools. 
September 9, 1861, he was married to Cassie 
Ann Green, a native of Illinois, who died 
August 26, 1880. This union resulted in the 
birth of nine children — William, Mary I., 
Charles R. (deceased), Frank, Cynthia (de- 
ceased), Maud, Thomas, Harvey (deceased) 
and Henry E. He married again November 
14, 1881, Mary J. Miller, daughter of Lydia 
Ogdon; she was born in Wells County, Indi- 
ana, October 3, 1857. In the spring of 1880 
he came to Shelby County and purchased in 
section 1, Douglas Township, a farm of 320 
acres of unimproved laud. This lie has placed 



under good cultivation. He has one of the 
finest farm residences in the county, every- 
thing is neat and tasty, and bespeaks the thrift 
and energy of the owner. Mr. McKeever 
takes great pride in his stock, of which he 
keeps a good supply. On his farm will ])e 
found a herd of the finest swine, of the Poland 
China stock, and in his stable can be found a 
rare specimen of a horse of the Norman breed. 
His stock are all beauties, and show the care 
and attention they receive. October 5, 1862, 
he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second 
Volunteer Infantry, and for three years did 
valiant service in defense of his country. He 
participated in a number of battles, among 
which were the siege of Vicksburg, Port 
Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion Hills, 
Black River, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar 
Creek, etc.; at the last-named battle he was 
wounded in the right eye, which has caused 
him much annoyance and suffering. He is 
a member of the G. A. R., Irwin Post. 

"" "^ • 3 *' S ' |i» » ~ — ■ 



l^^-iENRY HAMDORF was born in Hol- 
stein, Germany, July 1, 1848; he is tlie 
son of Hans C. and Mary E. Hamdorf. 
He was reared to farm life and received his 
education in the common schools of his coun- 
try ; he worked in the manufacturing of cheese 
and at tlie cooper's trade. When he was 
about twenty years of age he came to America, 
and stopped in Philadelphia for a short time, 
to look into business in this country, and see 
if the habits and customs of the American 
people would suit him well enough to remain 
here. His investigations proved satisfactory 
to him, so he engaged in farming fur one year 
in Pennsylvania. He then came to Iowa and 
located near Davenport, where he farmed for 
about eight years. He came to Shelby County 
in 1876, and lived in Fairview Township for 



346 



UISTORT OF SUELBY COUNTY. 



four years; then he caine to his present home 
in section 20, Douglas Township. He pur- 
chased 200 acres of wild prairie land, which 
never had any improvemept previous to his 
coming to it; this he has placed under good 
cultivation and improved, until he has to-day 
one of the finest farms in the county. He has 
planted about two acres of grove. He has a 
good, comfortable house, and barns for stock 
and grain; he spends his time in farming and 
stock-raising. Mr. Hamdorfis inclined toward 
the principles of the Republican party, 
lie was married February 28, 1872, to Mary 
Vogt, daughter of Max Henry and Anna 
Vogt. She was born July 9, 1848, in Hol- 
stein, Germany, and carae to America in 
1870. They have nine children — Fritz, 
Henry, Amial, William, Louie, Ella, Rosa, 
Laura and Gustav. Mr. and Mrs. Hamdorf 
were brought up in the Lutheran church, and 
their children are being reared in the Method- 
ist Episcopal faith. They had many hard- 
ships in their early life in this country, but 
they labored hard to secure for themselves 
a home, which they have and are as well 
situated as any family in the county, and are 
among the most respected citizens. 



-~ "t; * 3n; « 7 



M. AVYLAND. — In these days one 
hears the cries of specialties and special 
* training; and cries against dissipating 
one's forces, and scattering one's energies in 
many directions; and that concentration is 
necessary to secure success. This may be 
true, for times have changed; but to prove 
that in times ])ast a multitude of experiences 
have been the foundation of a successful life, 
one needs only to study early history of some 
of Shelby County's first and best men. H" we 
go back to tiie Hoosier State, which has fur- 
nished some very excellent material to sup- 



ply new countries, we will find five milea 
south of Goshen, Elkhart County, at Wyland's 
Mills, the birthplace of David Madison Wy- 
land, who first saw the light of this world 
August 21, 184G. If we had wandered up 
and down and through the race and river for 
the next fourteen years, we would have had a 
constant companion in this youth, David, 
whose time was spent in wading, and swim- 
ming, and fishing, and a happy boyhood it 
must have been; for what is there in a ciiild's 
paradise except water, and plenty of it? Up 
to the time David was twelve years old his 
greatest achievement was spearing a fish, as 
lung as his own body, and perhaps a third as 
heavy. In the spring of 18(50, with his three 
sisters, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Goodyear and Mrs. 
Jarvis, their husbands, and his two brothers, 
Jasper and Thomas J., he went overland to 
Coflee County, Kansas, where their father had 
previously bought some wild land and an im- 
proved farm. That year the crop was a fail- 
ure, and Mr. Goodyear and wife, Jasper W. 
and D. M. came to Shelby County, Iowa, from 
which place Jasper and D. M. went back to 
Indiana before winter. A few years after the 
other members of the family abandoned Kan- 
sas on account of the continued failure of 
crops, and joined those who had gone to Iowa. 
In the spring of 1861, the father having dis- 
posed of his property in Indiana, his family 
with several neighbors moved overland to 
Shelby County, Iowa, with the intention of 
making it their future home. For two years 
D. M. lived on the old home farm, section 36, 
township 80, range 38, now occupied and 
owned by Jefferson Wyland. During his 
residence on the farm D. M. developed a 
constitutional distaste for the occupation. In 
the winter of 1863 he learned that a school- 
teacher was wanted at Simoda. Simoda was 
then as much of a town as Harlan, but is 
now a part of Harmon Baugbn's farm, a mile 



BIOGRAPHICAL 8 KETCH EH. 



a4!) 



east of Harlan. One stormy day be saddled 
Joe, an Indian pony brought from Kansas by 
his brother Jeif, and started for "William 
McGinness's, near Simoda, who was the sub- 
director, and who j^roaiised him tlie school, 
providing that he should first get a certificate. 
The journey was then continued to the resi- 
dence of Felix Grundy Clarke, then county 
superintendent, living on a farm near the 
present site of Kirkraan. Mr. Clarke was 
found butchering hogs for his winter supply 
of meat; upon making his errand known, Mr. 
Wyland was told that there was no time just 
then for the ceremony of an examination, but 
if he would tarry through the noon hour his 
purpose might then be accomplished. While 
atdinnerMr. Clarkeaskedhim a few questions; 
he then told hiin to write out a certificate. 
Mr. Wyland found a form in a book, and tilled 
out the certificate stating his qualifications to 
teach all the branches named in the printed 
form, some of which he confesses to-day 
never to have studied. The superintendent 
signed the paper, and Mr. Wyland returned 
to Mr. McGinness and engaged to teach six 
months for $25 per month. This was the 
first money he had ever earned for himself, 
and he saved more out of his wages than 
ever afterward, even when working for a 
liigher salary, showing upon how little one 
could live comfortably at tliat time. After 
he had taught about four months, the county 
treasurer resigned and his brother William 
was appointed to fill the vacancy. As he was 
living on the farm, he could not afford to 
leave it for the small salai-y paid the county 
treasurer; with the consent of the school- 
officers, D. M. turned his school over to one 
of his lady pupils, who was older, and more 
experienced than iiiinself, and took charge of 
the treasurer's office, in the old court-house, 
on the corner where the city hotel now stands. 
The labor was light, and the responsibility 



not great, as the amount of tax was small; 
but he carried the whole of the money col- 
lected on his person during the day, and at 
night slept on a bunk under the office coun- 
ter, with the money in a small iron box under 
his head. At that time there was no hotel, 
and, in fact, beside the court-house and a 
small brick school-house, there was only one 
building in Long's Addition, now the popu- 
lous part of Harlan. In the fall of 1864 Mr. 
Wyland went to Iowa City to attend the 
State University; not having money enough 
to carry him through the full course, the fac- 
ulty selected such studies as they tliouglit 
would be of most practical use to him; he 
remained there several years, some time in 
school, and part of the time working on a 
farm, and for awhile in a hat store. A part 
of one summer he spent in Council Bluffs, and 
assessed the city for the city assessor, a former 
Shelby County man, who was ill at that time. 
In 1868, while at Iowa City, he received semi- 
official notice from the board of supervisors, 
that if he would return to Ilarlan he would 
be appointed clerk of the district court, and 
ex-otficio clerk of the board of supervisors — 
county auditor. Mr. Wyland considered that 
this was a sad acknowledgement of the scar- 
city of official timber, when the board had to 
send to the other border of the State, and 
then only secure the services of an inexperi- 
enced youth. He returned and found the 
office occupied by a preacher-school-teacher, 
who had been appointed to fill the vacancy 
with the understanding that he would resign 
on the arrival of Mr. Wyland. Terms of 
court were then few and far between, and 
little business was transacted when court 
convened. The preacher-teacher having little 
to do, with better pay than either teaching or 
preaching secured, declined to resign for a 
time. The court was finally called for the 
trial of a murder case, for which five prorai- 



3S0 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



nent citizens had been indicted, and to whicli 
was called a large part of the residents, as 
witnesses, jurors, or inter-spectators. The 
great crowd terrified the clerk, and he re- 
signed, and Mr. Wyland took possession. He 
held the place until the spring of 1869, when 
he received a letter from N. P. Dodge, banker 
and real-estate dealer at Council Bluffs, of- 
fering him a position as chief clerk in his 
office. He resigned his office and engaged 
with Mr. Dodge, with whom he remained 
two years, when he resigned and engaged in 
the real-estate business, first with E. A. Huber, 
and afterward with Colonel Addison Coch- 
ran. Business being dull during the sum- 
mer of 1872 he was engaged by Mr. Dodge 
to go to Shelby County and make personal 
examination of a large list of lands of which 
he had control as agent for non- resident 
owners. Mr. Wyland secured Joe, the pony, 
who it seems was a veritable mascotte to him, 
carrying him to success in every business un- 
dertaking of importance. Joe had a playful 
habit of loping along, carrying one as easily 
and comfortably as though sitting in a rock- 
ing-chair, and then suddenly, without appar- 
ent cause, jumping six or eight feet to one 
side, while the rider went straight ahead 
when he would stop and look at one, as though 
innocently wondering why he was spread out 
on the ground. Mr. Wyland rode over the 
whole country, visiting every township, and 
nearly every section of land, making plats 
and copious field-notes of all the lands in 
which Mr. Dodge was interested, and many 
others besides. It occurred to iiim during his 
labor that Shelby County would soon be a 
good place to do a land-office business, and 
Harlan the place for head(juarters. Finishing 
his work, and reporting to Mr. Dodge, he 
returned to Harlan, and in the autumn of 
1872, with his brother C. J., then county 
treasurer, he purciiased for the munificent 



sum of $350 the real-estate business of M. H. 
Adams & Co. To show the difference be- 
tween the equipment of a land-office then 
and now, as seen by our people, he gives an 
inventory of the purchase: One six-quire 
book containing names and postoffice address 
of non-resident owners, and lists of their lands 
for which Adams & Co. were agents; one 
! small pine table; two wooden stools; one 
wooden bench, and one small coal stove with 
a big crack through the fire bowl, and a lot 
of letterspiled in a heap under the table, con- 
venient for ready reference to their contents, 
which gave instructions in regard to the dis- 
position of all the lands which were expected 
to be sold. The purchase was contained 
in a lean-to, about 10 x 12 feet, attached to 
the building south of their present location; 
this building and the old Harlan House were 
the only ones on the west side of the square. 
Mr. Wyland set to work at once to prepare a 
complete set of abstracts of title to all real 
estate in the county. He kept at it steadily 
the greater part of the first year, working 
sometimes for daj's and even weeks withou*, 
being interrupted by a caller on business, or 
otherwise; but he got the office in good shape 
to take care of the business that did come 
after awhile. C. J. and D. M. Wyland did 
asteadily increasing business for several years; 
they secured their present business lot and 
moved to it a small frame building; they thus 
got a good-sized office, whicli was furnished 
with a fire-proof safe, and a so-called burg- 
lar-proof cash-box; this, however, was only a 
small iron box, set in the wood-work inside 
the safe, and probably could have been re- 
moved in two minutes by a professional, and 
carried away, but the people had confidence 
in it, and came with money and papers to 
deposit for safe keeping. The money when 
received was put in an envelope marked with 
the owner,s name, but no account was kept of 



BIOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



;«l 



it on the books, and when a person came to 
make a draw, his envelope would be handed 
to him and he would help himself. Having 
opened an account with the First National 
Bank of Chicago, for their own convenience 
in making remittances to parties for whom 
they had sold land, the United Slates reve- 
nue collector notified them tliat they were 
doing a banking business, and asked them to 
report the average amount of deposits, to en- 
able him to collect the tax imposed on bank- 
ers. They convinced him they were not 
guilty, but in 1876 they notified their special 
depositors, and others, that they would re- 
ceive deposits subject to check, buy and sell 
exchange, and do a general banking business. 
In this small way they started the business, 
now grown to respectable proportions, and 
known as tlie Ilarlan Bank. Mr. D. M.Wy- 
land is a member of the Mt. Zion Command- 
ery, No. 49, Knights Templar; Olivet Chap- 
ter, No. 107, R. A. M.; Parian Lodge, No- 
321, A. F. & A. M.; Mt. Lebanon Chapter, 
No. 8, O. E. S.; Mt. Sinai Encampment, No. 
106, L O. O. F.; Harlan Lodge, No. 247, L 
O. O. F., and Elkhart Temple, Cedar Rapids. 
Mr. Wyland was married September 8, 1875, 
to Miss Belle Keasey, at South Bend, Indi- 
ana. Mrs. Wyland is a person of unusual 
force of character, and uncommon attain- 
ments; she is greatly beloved by the poor of 
Harlan, and does a philanthropic work among 
them. 



-}**H 




T. KEENEY, of Shelby Township, 
is one of the early settlers, having 
"^^pi^*' come to the county in 1872. He 
was born in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, 
December 20, 1844. He is a son of J. N. 
and Permelia (Tupper) Keeney. The motiier 
is a native of Pennsylvania; her mother came 



from Connecticut on horseback to Pennsyl- 
vania when she was eleven years old. Mr. 
Keeney had three brothers, of whom he was 
the eldest. When he was two years old his 
parents moved to Susquehannah County, 
Pennsylvania, where the father remained 
until his death. The mother now lives in 
Pottawattamie County, Iowa. The subject 
of this sketch was reared a farmer, and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools. 
During the great rebellion he enlisted; he 
joined the Fifty-second PennsylvaniaTnfantry, 
Company H, March 28, 1864, serving until 
the close of the war. The regiment was sta- 
tioned at Morris Island, South Carolina, in 
front of Charleston, where they were fre- 
quently under the fire of the enemy, and where 
many died of disease. In the spring of 1865 
they were moved to Nortli Carolina, and were 
on a forced march when Lee surrendered. 
Our subject was honorably discharged at Rolla, 
North Carolina, and returned to Susquehanna 
County, Pennsylvania. He was married to 
Miss Julia Reynolds, a native of Susquehanna 
County, and a daughter of Robert and Ma- 
tilda (Godwin) Reynolds. In 1868 they re- 
moved to Carroll County, Illinois, where they 
lived until they came to Shelby County, in 
1872. The land was then wild prairie, but 
they have made many improvements. They 
have a snug house on a sunny slope, sur- 
rounded with a fine grove and orchard of 
eiglit acres; a good barn and other good 
buildings, all showing the energy and pros- 
perity of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Keeney 
have two children — Edgar N. and Hattie M. 
Mr. Keeney is a Republican and a member of 
tlie G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364. He 
has served as junior-vice, and is the present 
officer. He is a member of the Masonic order 
of Shelby, and a member and trustee of the 
Methodist Episcopal church; he first joined 
the Baptist church when he was fifteen years 



352 



HISTORY OF SHE LB r COUNT 7. 



old; his wife and son are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keenej is 
one of the representative men of the town- 
ship, and has done his share in the religious 
and educational labors; he is honorable in 
business and has the confidence of all who 
know him. 

t ' i >' i ' 2 <*"' — 



S. GIBBS, dealer in general merclian- 
dise, is now the oldest merchant in 
<-'^ Harlan. lie was born in Ypsilanti, 
Michigan, October 7, 1848, and is the oldest 
son of O. A. and Elizabeth (Watts) Gibbs. 
The father was a native of Vermont, born in 
Kutland County in 1814, of Puritan stock. 
He Avas reared in Vermont, and came to 
Michigan when that was first settled. He 
was married to Elizabeth Watts, who was a 
native of Norfolkshire, England. When he 
first came to Michigan, Mr. Gibbs was a sub- 
contractor of the Michigan Central liailroad. 
He afterward engaged in farming and lum- 
bering, which he followed until he came to 
Iowa. He engaged in farming in Harlan 
Township in 1869, and continued this pur- 
suit until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs 
were tlie parents of five children — G. S., O. 
O., Forest, William, and Hattie, wife of Mat- 
thew Thompson. They were active and con- 
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
churcii. Mr. Gibbs was a member of the I. 
O. O. F., and of the board of supervisors in 
the years 1870 and 1871. His death occurred 
in September, 1887. His widow still sur- 
vives. G. S. Gibbs was reared on a farm, 
and received liis education in the common 
schools. He resided with liis parents until 
they came to Shelby County in 1809. He 
entered the employ of J. W. and E. W. Davis, 
as clerk in a general dry-goods store. He 
served this firm until 1876, when he engaged 



in business with, Joseph Jackson, under the 
firm name of Jackson & Gibbs. This firm 
continued until July 1, 1879, when Mr. 
Gibbs purchased his partner's interest and 
continued the business alone. Afterward he 
became associated with Mr. P. B. Hunt, tlie 
firm being Gibbs & Hunt. This firm ex- 
isted until 1887, since which time Mr. Gibbs 
has carried on the business in his own name. 
He carries a large stock of dry goods and 
general merchandise. He was married Janu- 
ary 21, 1875, to Miss Delia Baughn, a daugh- 
ter of Charles Baughn, of Council Bluffs, 
Iowa. She is a native of Ohio, and came to 
this county when a child. Three children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs — 
George S., Jr., Lulu D. and John. Mr. 
Gibbs served as a member of the board of 
supervisors, and was the first city treasurer, 
serving in 1879 and 1880. In 1881 he was 
a member of the city council, and served 
until 1885. He is a member of the I. O. O. 
F., Harlan Lodge, No. 267, and Mt. Sinai 
Encampment, of which he is the scribe. He 
is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Parian Lodge, No. 321 ; Olivet Chapter, No. 
107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49, of 
which he is junior warden. He is a mem- 
ber of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Gibbs is a 
member of the Congregational church of 
Harlan. 

lO .' I ' g- -" 



J. GARLAND, agent for the Chicago, 
Kock Island ct Pacific Railroad, Har- 
^ Ian, has been a resident of Shelby 
County since 1882. He is a native of Law- 
rence, Massachusetts, born November 17, 
1849. He is a son of J. II. and Louisa C. 
Garland, natives of New Hampshire, and of 
Puritan ancestry. The youth of the subject 
of this notice was spent in attending sciiool. 



,31 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETOHEH. 



353 



III 1872 lie eutereJ the einpluy of the North- 
ern New Hainpsliire Railroad as an assistant 
agent, and remained with that company for 
tliree years. In 1875 he came to Iowa and 
entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacilic Railroad at Marne, Cass 
County. He was the iirst agent at that 
place, and had entire charge of the company's 
business, acting as ticket, express and freight 
agent. He tilled this position for six years, 
when he came to Harlan, where he has since 
attended to the interests of the railroad and 
United States Express Company. Mr. Gar- 
land was married in 1875 to Miss Gara M. 
Sanborn, a native of New Hampshire. By 
tliis union six children have been born, four 
of whom still survive — Rertha May, Edith 
Lottie, Harrie Sanborn and Walter Rollins. 
Gara M. Sanborn, daughter of Thomas and 
Ansina (Rollins) Sanborn, was born in Ca- 
naan, New Hampshire, where her father now 
resides, her mother having died when she 
was fifteen years old. Mrs. Garland is a 
member of the Congregational church. Mr. 
Garland is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 
107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49. 
He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., 
Marne Lodge, No. 118. 



lEV. JOHN W. GEIGER.— This his- 
torical work would not be complete 
without an extended sketch of one of 
the foremost preachers in western Iowa, if 
not of the State. John W. Geiger, pastor of 
tlie Congregational church at Harlan, Iowa, 
first saw the light of day amid the green-clad 
hills of Pennsylvania, near the city of Read- 
ing, November 7, 1850. He is descended 
from German, English and Welsh forefathers. 
On the father's side the Geigers were pal- 

87 



atine Germans, and the Sands were English. 
On the mother's side the Wesleys were En- 
glish, and the Lashes were Welsh. Daniel 
Wesley, grandson of Solomon* Wesley, who 
emigrated to America, is still living at the 
age of ninety-five; he is Mr. Geiger's grand- 
father. At an early day in his childhood Mr. 
Geiger's parents settled in the city of Read- 
ing, where through scliool-life until his mar- 
riage to Miss Sarah E. Hildebrand, in 1868, 
he continued to reside. The earlier years of his 
education were passed in the public schools 
and Ryan's Academy. In 1867 he graduated 
in the commercial-scientific course from the 
People's College — an institution of his native 
city — of brief but brilliant career. Immedi- 
ately after his graduation, in keeping with a 
custom yet in much favor there, he began his 
theological studies under a private tutor. 
This work was pursued unremittingly, nearly 
day and night, for eight years — a part of the 
time in connection with the heaviest work of 
a pastorate. Mr. Geiger preached his first 
sermon in May, 1868, received his prelim- 
inary license in December, 1869, full license 
in 1871, and was solemnly ordained Feb- 
ruary 28, 1875. Feeling tlie need of a better 
acquaintance witli tlie Greek, Latin and Ger- 
man languages, as soon as his examinations 
were finished he set about finding suitable 
teachers for the study of the same, whicli his 
pastorate in the larger cities made it easy to 
do. In January, 1885, he was called to the 
pastorate of one of the Des Moines churches, 
in which city he spent two years and a half 
of hard work. July 1, 1887, a telegram was 
sent him from Harlan, asking him to spend 
the following Sabbath with the Congrega- 
tional church. This invitation was accepted, 
and July 11 a unanimous call to this pastor- 
ate was extended and duly accepted, and the 
work began August 10, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. 
Geiger have had born to them seven daugh- 



354 



HISTOliY OF HHELBY COUNTY. 



ters. Mr. Geiger is an untiring worker; he 
is possessed of many sterling inlierited qual- 
ities, and by his own strong force of character 
he has aroused a deep interest among the 
members of his congregation, and the regular 
attendance has been largely increased during 
Mr. Geiger's pastorate. lie is a ready and 
fluent talker, and when he becomes deeply 
interested in the subject of his sermons, he 
is endowed with a power of eloquence and an 
earnestness of delivery that bespeak for him 
a very brilliant future in this his chosen call- 
ing. Mr. Geiger is a member of Parian 
Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet 
Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M., and Mt. Zion 
Commandery, No. 49, K. T. 



C. IIOLCOMB came to western Iowa 
in 1853, arriving at Council BluflFs 
• " November 22 of that year. He was 
born January 23, 1823, in Essex County, 
New York, and is a son of Oliver and Mar- 
tha Holcorab, natives of Connecticut. The 
family were of Scotch descent. The parents 
were married in Granby, Connecticut, and 
went to Essex County, New York, in May, 
1800. May 10, 1829, the mother passed 
away. Twenty-three years later, in the same 
month, the father followed her. Mr. Hol- 
comb was reared in Essex County, New York, 
and there received in the district schools his 
education. At the age of twenty he taught 
his first terra of school, and followed this 
profession for several years, working on the 
farm during the summers. In 1853 he came 
to Council Bluft's, and taught school in Pot- 
tawattamie and Mills counties until 1857, 
when he came to Gallaiui's Grove, Shelby 
County. In April, 1858, he located at Har- 
lan, and worked at the carpenter's trade until 
^1861. In April, 1859, he was appointed 



clerk of the distVict court, which office he 
held, except one and a half years, until Janu- 
ary 1, 1873. The length of the term this 
office was held by Mr. Holcomb indicates the 
ability and faithfulness with which he ful- 
filled his duties. In September, 1877, he 
was made deputy clerk under George D. 
Ross, and held this office until January' 1, 
1878, when he became clerk, having been 
elected the October preceding. He filled this 
office until January 1, 1883. lie also acted 
as auditor for two years, and as county judge 
one year. Politically Mr. Ilolcomb is a Re- 
publican. His first Presidential vote was for 
Henry Clay in 1844. He was married No- 
vember 22, 1862, to J\[iss Elizabeth A. Mc- 
Coy, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, 
February 22, 1830, and came to Council 
Bluffs in April, 1853. Three sons were born 
to them, only one surviving — "William O. 
Mr. Holcomb helped build the first building 
put up in Harlan. He and Isaac Plum are 
the only ones left of those pioneers. 



— — '^, •;>' ? • j ) "-^ — 

II. LUECKE, merchant tailor, has 
been identified with the interests of 
"^ Shelby County since 1880. He is a 
native of Lippe-DetuiolJ, Germany, born 
April 0, 1849. He is a son of Louis and 
Charlotte (Buddie) Luecke. He was edu- 
cated in the schools of his native country. 
When he was thirteen years old he went to 
learn the tailor's trade, serving as an appren- 
tice three years. In addition to his service 
his father was obliged to pay §50 per year to 
have his son instructed in this trade. After 
his apprenticeship was ended he traveled 
about and worked in various places one year. 
In 18(30 he emigrated with his father's family 
to America. Two brothers had preceded 
them. The parents and five sons landed in 



mOORAPlJlCAL SKETCHES. 



355 



Js'ew York, and started the same day to Cook 
County, Illinois, where they remained one 
year. They then came to Benton County, 
Iowa, and settled in Blairstown, where the 
father engaged in fanning. Afterward the 
family removed to Nebraska, where tlie father 
died in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. 
The mother and brothers arc still living in 
Nebraska. After the family settled in Ben- 
ton County, H. 11. Liiccke worked at iiis 
trade in Belle Plaine for six years; then he 
went to Carroll, where he worked at his trade 
until he came to Harlan and opened a tailor 
shop. This was continued for ten months, 
when he added a stock of clothing to tlie 
tailoring department. The partnership with 
Mr. Coenan lasted for five years, when Mr. 
Charles Escher bought Mr. Coenan's interest, 
and the firm was styled Luecke & Escher. 
This firm transacted business for two years, 
when Mr. Luecke purchased his partner's in- 
terest and has since continued the business 
alone. H. H. Luecke carries the largest 
stock of clothing and furnishing goods in 
ilarlan, and does an extensive business in 
custom work. He was married in 1871 to 
Miss Sophia Wohlenberg, a native of Lippe- 
Detmold, Germany, who came to this coun- 
try in 1870. By this union four children 
were born, three of whom survive — Emma, 
Lyda and Clarence. Mr. Luecke is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., Ilarlan Lodge, No. 
267. Politically Mr. Luecke afiiliates with 
the Democratic party. He and his wife are 
members of the Evangelical church. 

~*'' | ' I"i ' |" *- 



|ELS OLSON was born in the western 
part of Norway, November 21, 1836; 
here he spent his early life on a farm, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. He is the son of Ole and Martha 



Nelson. He came to America in 1801, and 
settled in Grundy County, Illinois, where he 
resided until 1881; he then came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, locating on an unimproved 
farm of 320 acres in section 19, I'olk Town- 
ship, where he has since resided. He has 
built a beautiful frame-house and barns for 
grain and stock, and good fencing, making 
his farm one of the best in the county. He 
is a man of push and enterprise, as is shown 
by his surroundings. He takes an active 
interest in the advancement of educational 
matters, having served on the board of school 
directors for two years. He has always sup- 
ported the Republican ticket until the past two 
years, when he voted the Union Labor ticket. 
He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He 
devotes himself to farming. He was married 
August 19, 1801, to Julia Georgeson, daugh- 
ter of George and Anna Oleson. She was 
born in Norway, December 20, 1841, and 
came to America in 1861. They are the 
parents of nine children — Ole, George, Mar- 
tin, Anna (wife of llasmus Anderson, residing 
in Douglas Township), Samuel, Severt B., and 
three deceased. The family are all at home 
except Anna. They are members of the 
Lutheran church, and Shelby County has no 
citizens more highly respected. 



*°* "' (s * S ' * l ' 1 *" *" 

EOIIGE NEWHOUSE, a native of West- 
moreland County, Peimsylvania, was 
born October 25, 1833. He is the son 
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ream) Newhouse, 
both natives of Pennsylvania. The subject 
of this sketcii passed his early life in tlic 
county of his birth, on a farm, and received 
his education in the common schools of the 
country. When he had reached tiie age of 
seventeen he came west and located first in 
Rock Island County, Illinois, where he 



350 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



remained until 1866; he then moved to 
Washington County, Missouri, M'here he 
staid three years; he then returned to Rock 
Island County, Illinois, where he remained 
until December, 1874, when he came to 
Iowa. He settled in Shelby County, Doug- 
las Township, on a partially improved farm 
of eighty acres. Here he has since made 
his home, and has made many improve- 
ments. Having a beautiful frame residence, 
with barn for stock and grain, he has planted 
five acres of grove, and all his business is in 
a thriving condition. He had to undergo 
most of the hardships incident to pioneer 
life; the place of marketing was a distance of 
twenty-two miles, at the town of Avoca, where 
they were compelled to carry all their prod- 
uce and grain. But they bravely faced all 
of those things and well merit the beautiful 
and comfortable home they have earned. Mr. 
Newhouse occupies his time in farming and 
stock-raising. He is a Democrat. He was 
married June 21, 1863, to Aner Thomas, 
daughter of Charles and Mercy (Sacket) 
Thomas. She was born in Darke County, 
Ohio, March 24, 1837. They are the parents 
of two children — Charlie and Gracie. Mrs. 
Newhouse is a member of tlie Methodist 
Episcopal church, and they are among Shelby 
County's most tvortliy and respected citizens. 

■•♦•■ | ' 3"i ' 3" «~ 



PIIOMAS J. WYLAND, the son of Jon- 
athan and Elizabeth Wyland, wiiose 
sketch will be found elsewhere in this 
work, was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, 
February 1, 1849. He lived there until he 
was twelve years of age. His education was 
received in the common schools of Indiana, 
Kansas and Iowa, with one year in the Tabor 
(Indiana) high-school. He was brought up 
to farm life, and has always followed this 



avocation. Whfen twelve years old, in com- 
pany with three sisters and two brothers, he 
moved to Kansas, where they intended to 
make their home; but our subject remained 
only one year and a half, whert he came back 
to Iowa with his father and one brother, and 
located on a farm in section 36, Douglas 
Township, then Jackson Township; here he 
made his home until he was married. Tiiis 
farm was purchased by his father in 1855 or 
1856; he bought it in 1873. He had as- 
sisted in placing it under cultivation and in 
making the many improvements. He drove 
four yoke of o.\en in breaking up the ground 
the first time it was broken. His first pur- 
chase of land was made in 1871, of 120 acres 
in section 1, Harlan Township, and forty 
acres in Douglas Township; this he traded 
for the home place where he now resides. 
He has since purchased two tracts in Polk 
Township, of 128 acres and forty-six acres, 
and a ten-acre tract in Harlan Township. He 
now owns 343 acres ot land in Shelby County. 
He has done much toward the advancement 
and improvement of the county, and is one 
of the live, energetic farmers. He is a Dem- 
ocrat, and held the office of township clerk 
before the division was made in Jackson 
Township. He was married April 11, 1870, 
to Clara Osborn,' daughter of J. F. and Eliza 
Jane (Dunlap) Osborn, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio. She was born in Wisconsin, 
October 24, 1849. Tliey are the parents of 
four children — Ilngh O., Lizzie A., Ilalph 
W. and Mary. 



ARMAN PULVER, a native of New 
York, born July 2, 1837, is a son of 
Wandle I. and Eleanor (McArthur) 
Pulver. When he was ten years of age he, 
with his parents, came to Illiuois, and settled 





/^^^>7-l7 



y^/^^^t^c^i^^^^ci^ .(^?<^^^ t^^^^r^^^^^^^^ 



BIOOBAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



359 



in Whiteside County on a farm, where he 
spent his early life. He received his educa- 
tion at the common schools; he was one of a 
family of twelve children. He remained in 
niinois, in AVhiteside and Carroll counties, 
until 1878, when he, with his family, came 
to Iowa, settling in Shelby County, Jackson 
Township, on a farm of eighty acres, in sec- 
tions 19 and 20. This farm was but par- 
tially improved, and he has placed it under 
good cultivation. In 1884 he sold this land 
and purchased an eighty-acre tract in section 
25, Douglas Township, and has since pur- 
chased an adjoining eighty acres in section 
24. He has a good, comfortable home, hav- 
ing made many improvements. He is a 
Democrat, always supporting the issues of 
that party. He was married November 4, 
1860, to Juliann Woods, daughter of M. 
G. and Euth Ann (Law) Woods, natives of 
North Carolina and Tennessee. She was 
born in Whiteside County, Illinois, and died 
November 11, 1863. They had one child. 
— Harriet E., wife of Hans P. Nelson, re- 
siding in Jackson Township, Shelby County. 
He was married again, September 17, 1868, 
to Parnaclia Woods, daughter of M. G. and 
Ruth Ann (Law) Woods. She was born in 
Carroll County, Illinois, June 16, 1840. By 
this union three children were born — Minnie 
E., Sarah and Eola. Mr. Pulver is a man 
who always takes an active interest in the 
advancement of the country, and he is one of 
Shelby County's most deserving and esteemed 
citizens. 

-"'i l ' i ii S ' l i'^" 



;1LLIAM FISKE CLEVELAND, the 
present treasurer of Shelby County, 
is indeed an Ijonored and truly rep- 
resentative citizen. Unlike most men of 
these times Mr. Cleveland is in possession of 




family records showing a complete genealogy 
on both his father's and mother's side, back 
as early as 1635. He is a descendant of 
Moses Cleveland, who emigrated from Eng- 
land in 1635, and died in January, 1701, at 
Woburn, Massachusetts. Our subject is the 
son of Dr. George Washington and Almira 
(Barrett) Cleveland. The father was born in 
Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York, 
June 27, 1808, and died at Water ville. New 
York, December 4, 1884, aged seventy-six 
years. When eighteen years old he left the 
home of his childhood and went to Water- 
ville, where an elder brother. Dr. William 
Phelps Cleveland, was practicing his chosen 
profession. In 1827 he commenced the study 
of medicine under the instruction of his 
brother; he completed his medical studies at 
Fairfield, New York, graduating in July, 
1831, receiving his medal and diploma from 
the State University, College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, of the western district of New 
York. After his graduation he practiced a 
short time in Oneida and Chenango counties. 
New York; also awhile at Homer, Michigan. 
In 1836 he permanently located at Watervilie, 
New York, where he practiced with great 
success until his last illness, in the latter part 
of November, 1884, a period of nearly fifty 
years. Like his older brother, who recently 
died at the advanced age of eighty-seven 
years, he was eminently successful, and during 
the long period of his professional activity 
enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. To 
the sick room he always brouglit a genial and 
hope-inspiring manner wliich was of great 
value and comfort to those under his treat- 
ment; he had for an axiom, no man dies until 
he stops breathing. To the poor he was ever 
a friend in need, and this class he served 
faithfully, making no discrimination against 
even tliose who were unworthy. He took a 
deep interest in all iiul>lic affairs and often 



3(i0 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



held offices of public trust and honor; he was 
an active member of the Masonic fraternity 
and held high rank in it. His wife, mother 
of our subject, to whom he was married at 
Springfield, New York, October 10, 1832, 
was Miss Almira Barrett, daughter of Major 
Benjamin Fiske and Betsey (Gerrish) Bar- 
rett, who was born in Wilton, New Hamp- 
shire, August 27, 1808. She received and 
finished her education at one of the best 
schools of her day in New England, the then 
celebrated school of Miss Prescott, at Gro- 
ton, Massachusetts, where she spent three 
years under the instruction of that most ac- 
complished and successful teacher. She was 
a lady of many rare accomplishments, of a 
sweet and cheerful disposition, and was sym- 
pathetic, gentle and affectionate inher nature. 
ller long life was one of purity in thought 
and action, crowned by a Christian belief in 
the future life; a life as simple as it was pure, 
giving true friendship to all who came within 
the charmed circle of her acquaintance. The 
hallowed influence and blessed memory of her 
sweet lifeand character are the priceless jewels 
left by her for her children and friends, richer 
by far than silver or gold. William Fiske 
is the youngest of four children. He was born 
at Waterville, New York, August 30, 1844. 
He remained in the place of his nativity until 
he was twenty-one years of age. In 1861 he 
graduated from the AVaterville Seminary, 
preparatory to entering college, with the view 
of becoming a physician and surgeon; this 
was the wish of his father, who intended to 
educate one who should rank even hitrher in 
the profession than he himself. But after a 
few months' study under his father, having 
from boyhood been in the family of a physi- 
cian, he naturally enough saw the hardships 
and objections to the life of a practitioner, and 
more than all this his nature did not seem to 
take kindly to such a profession. So he en- 



tered the retail dry-goods store of J. Candee 
& Son, at Waterville, New York, where he 
served as a faithful clerk for about four years. 
He then went to Louisville, Kentucky, and 
from there to Nashville, Tennessee, where he 
was engaged in the large hat, cap and fur es- 
tablishment of Greene & Greene. After two 
years in such capacity he went to New Or- 
leans, Louisiana, in the spring of 1867, and 
embarked in the clothing business, remaining 
till 1876. The next year was spent in gov- 
ernment employ, under a post-trader, in Wy- 
oming Territory, and in speculating for him- 
self. During his stay there he furnished 
'2,000 tons of hay to the government in one 
contract. In the autumn of 1877 he came to 
Shelby County, Iowa, to which place his 
father-in-law had moved a short time before. 
In January, 1878, he engaged in the general 
mercantile trade at Shelby, in which he con- 
tinued until 1885. In the fall of that year 
he was elected county treasurer, having re- 
ceived his nomination by acclamation. Such 
was his reputation as a business man and 
such his personal popularity, that he was 
elected by a very handsome majority, not- 
withstanding his party was in the minority. 
After having filled the office to the entire sat- 
isfaction of all, regardless of party lines, for 
one term, two years, he was again nunii- 
nated and re-elected by a largely increased 
majority. While a resident of Shelby he 
manifested great public spirit and did much 
toward the development of that place. He 
was twice elected mayor of the place; he 
made a gift of the site where the roller mills 
now stand; was instrumental in nearly all 
the internal improvements, including the 
grading of the streets, etc. He was agent 
for a great share of the town lots which were 
sold during his residence in Shelby. Mr. 
Cleveland was married at the city of Du- 
buque, Iowa, October 2, 1871, to Miss Kate 



BIOGRAPniGAL SRBTCIIES. 



361 



L. Collins, daughter of E. A. Collins and 
Annie (Purheiser) Collins, formerly of Ga- 
lena, Illinois. Mrs. Cleveland's father pur- 
chased and improved a very valuable tract of 
land in Shelby County, Iowa, containing 1,000 
acres. After their marriage they returned to 
New Orleans and remained until 1876, as 
before stated. By this marriage union there 
were two children born — William John and 
Anna Centennial, the birthplace of both be- 
ing New Orleans. The former was born 
August 31, 1872, and died March 11, 1876. 
The latter was born February 2, 1876, and 
now lives with her aunt in New York, in 
the same house in which her father was born. 
Mrs. Cleveland died of consumption at Per- 
sia, Iowa, August 24, 1885, and was buried 
in the cemetery at Shelby. In his political 
belief Mr. Cleveland, who, by the way, is a 
distant relative of ex-President Grover Cleve- 
land, is a staunch Democrat, and is not such 
because of his father's belief particularly, but 
because his study and observance of political 
economy teach him that this party is best 
calculated to carry out the will of a free and 
self-governed people. He is a zealous worker 
in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of 
Parian Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chap- 
ter, 11. A. M., and Mount Zion Commandery, 
K. T. ; he is also a member of the order of 
the Eastern Star. As a Sir Knight in the 
commandery Mr. Cleveland was its first and 
present commander, and takes deep interest 
and special delight in its welfare. It was 
really through his persistency and zeal that 
Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49, K. T., at 
Harlan, was instituted and has attained such 
prominence among the other commanderies 
of the State. Ilis father was also a zealous 
Mason, attaining high rank in his lodge, 
chapter and comnmndery. At the time our 
subject was made a Mason his father was 
master of the lodge. It should liere be said 



tliat few fathers enjoy the pleasure and satis- 
faction of presiding over the solemn cere- 
monies which make their own sons members 
of the mystic order. Among the heirlooms 
prized most highly by Mr. Cleveland is the 
Knights Templar uniform once worn by his 
father. With his pleasing and manly address, 
his unusual intelligence and business tact, 
and many other sterling qualities, it is no 
wonder that all are friends to him. While 
he has deep-seated convictions, and is firm in 
his belief, he never forces his opinions upon 
others. There are few, if any, living in 
Shelby County who have come to be so uni- 
versally popular, per force of manly, noble 
traits of character, as Mr. Cleveland. 



►>^ 



fOHN S. MILLS, of the firm of Mills & 
Pexton, druggists and booksellers, came 
to Shelby County in 1877. He is a na- 
tive of Knox County, Ohio, born August 27, 
1857, and is a son of Isaac N. and Ophelia 
(Sims) Mills, natives of Ohio, and of English 
descent. He was reared on a farm, and 
received a common-school education. He 
resided with his parents until he was seven- 
teen years old, when he went to Union City, 
Indiana, and began learning the printer's 
trade; he worked at this for a short time, and 
then studied telegraphy in the train dispatch- 
er's ofKce of the Bee Line Railroad. He re- 
mained in the office one year, and in the 
employ of the company, until he came to 
Shelby County in 1877. He settled in Shelby, 
and engaged as clerk in the grocery store of 
J. W. Harrod. He staid there until Jan- 
uary, 1880, when he came to Harlan, as dep- 
uty treasurer under J. W. Harrod. Ho filled 
this office for two years, and then engaged 
witli (t. S. Gibbs in general jncrchandising, 
I remaining with Mr. Gibbs and with (iibbstfe 



362 



EISTORY OF SUELBT COUNTY. 



Hunt for two years. When J. W. Harrod 
was elected auditor Mr. Mills was appointed 
his deputy, and held this office for one year. 
In December, 1884, he became associated 
with S. H. Waters in the drug business. 
The firm purchased a stock of books and sta- 
tionery from C. L. Drake, and combined the 
two branches of business under the firm name 
of Waters & Mills. They continued for one 
year, when the firm name was changed to 
Mills & Peyton. They carry a large stock 
of drugs, books and stationery. Mr. Mills 
was married July 12, 1880, to Miss Vania 
Cole, a native of Rock Island County, Illinois, 
and a daughter of George and Anne (Martin) 
Cole. The father was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mills are the parents of three children, two 
of whom survive — Lilah and Albert, and Gra- 
cie (deceased). They are both members of 
the Congregational chiirch. Mr. Mills is a 
Demociat; he has served as city recorder for 
two terms. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, Carthage Lodge, No. 65, Iowa 
Legion of Honor. 




YRUS BEARD, attorney at law, Har- 
an, Iowa, has been identified with the 
interests of Shelby County since 1878. 
He was born in Venango County, Pennsyl- 
vania, August 13, 1850, and is a son of 
Thomas and Mary (McKinley) Beard, natives 
of Pennsylvania. Our subject lived on a 
farm in Pennsylvania until 1865, when he 
with his parents came to Iowa, settling in 
Washington County. Here the father engaged 
in farming, Cyrus assisting until he reached 
his majority. His early education was ob- 
tained in the district school, and was com- 
pleted in what is now known as the Wash- 
ington Academy, at Washington, Iowa. After 



this he took a cqpimercial course at Buff's 
College, Pittsburg, Pa. He then engaged 
in teaching in the winter season, and entered 
the law office of G. G. Bennett, where he re- 
mained two years. He was graduated from 
the law department of the State University, 
Iowa City, in 1874, and began the practice of 
his profession in Washington, where he re- 
mained until he came to Harlan in October, 
1878. He then formed a partnership with 
E. Y. Greenleaf, tlie firm name being Beard 
& Greenleaf, which continued until Septem- 
ber, 1882. .^t this time he formed a part- 
nership with J. I. Myerly, and has since 
conducted a very successful business under 
the firm name of Beard & Myerly. This 
partnership was dissolved November 14, 
1888, he remaining in the practice at Har- 
lan. He was married September 28, 1875, 
to Miss Nora E. Wilson, a native of Illinois, 
and a daughter of Captain A. Wilson. By 
this union five children were born — Mary O., 
Lawrence L., Clarence C. (died at the age of 
twenty months), Clara E. and Arthur A. 
Mr. Beard has held the office of city recorder 
and city attorney; he is also a member of the 
school board. He and his wife are members 
of the Congregational church. He is a Re- 
publican. Mr. Beard is a member of Parian 
Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chap- 
ter, No. 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, 
No. 49. 

■°'- ^ » ? n S ' | '*'^ 



fW. FRENCH, Auditor of Shelby 
County, was born in Jasper County, 
® Iowa, December 3, 1859. He is a son of 
T. A. French. When he was six years old 
he came to Shelby County with his father's 
family, locating in Jackson Township, where 
they resided for a time, and then moving into 
Douglas Township. Tliere the father pur- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



363 



chased a farm, on which the village of Kirk- 
man now stands. Here our subject grew to 
manhood. His youth was passed in assisting 
his father on the farm and in attending the 
common schools. In 1881 he made his tirst 
business venture. He opened a drug store 
in Kirkinan, and carried on a successful busi- 
ness until he was elected to the office of 
county auditor. He took charge of the office 
January, 1888. On May 25, 1884, Mr. 
French met with a serious loss by tire, in 
which his building and stock were entirely 
consumed. The loss was about $2,500. He 
was appointed postmaster of Kirkman under 
President Garfield's administration, and held 
the office until his resignation, upon being 
elected to that of auditor. He was married 
November 22, 1882, to Miss Nettie Wood, a 
native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
the late George B. and Mary "Wood, of Col- 
fax, Iowa. By this union one child was born 
— Gertrude. By close attention to business 
Mr. French has been highly successful, and 
by his honorable and upright dealings has 
won the confidence and esteem of the entire 
community. He casts his sufl'rage with the 
Democratic party. 



'T*-*^ 



jEORGE C. HEGLIN, a native of Stav- 
enger, Norway, was born October 17, 
1849. He is a son of Chris and Julia 
Heglin, and spent his early life on a farm in 
Norway, and received his education in the 
common schools. When but seventeen years 
of age he came to America, and settled in 
Iowa County, Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming. He continued his residence in Iowa 
County until 1881, when he came to Shelby 
County and located on a farm of 160 acres 
of wild land in Polk Township. This he has 
placed under good cultivation, and has planted 



a grove of two acres and 250 apple- trees. He 
has also erected a pleasant frame residence, 
and barns lor stock and grain. All the sur- 
roundings indicate the energy and econom- 
ical management of the owner, who is a live, 
go-ahead farmer. He has held the office of 
township trustee for four years, and afliliates 
with the Republican party, taking an active 
interest in the political affairs of his county. 
Mr. Heglin was married February 28, 1872, 
to Miss Malinda Knudson, a daughter of 
Knute and Martha Knudson. She was born 
in Norway, January 18, 1852, and came to 
America in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Heglin are 
the parents of six children — Julia M. and 
Caroline C. (both deceased), Julia, Garfield, 
Mina E. and Charles C. They are active 
and co7isistent members of the Lutheran 
church, and are among Shelby County's most 
worthy and respected citizens. In the sum- 
mer of 1871 Mr. Heglin went to Idaho, pros- 
pecting, and engaged in mining in company 
with Anson & Co. 

S - 3 .' I - ^ ' 



fllOMAS BARRETT, a native of Lin- 
colnshire, England, born March 6, 
1844, is a son of Matthew and Hannah 
(Naylor) Barrett. He was reared in his na- 
tive country, spending' his time on a farm, 
and in attending the common schools. In 
1875 he came to America and settled in 
Clinton County, Iowa, where he resided for 
five years. The first three years he worked 
as a farm hand, and at the end of that time 
he, in company with Henry Richardson, 
rented a farm, which they cultivated for two 
years. Mr. Barrett then left Clinton County 
and came to Shelby County, and settled on a 
farm of 100 acres, partially improved, in Polk 
Township. Here he has since made his home, 
making many improvements; he has jdantcd 



364 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



about three acres of grove, erected a comfort- 
able frame residence, and barns for stock and 
grain. He devotes himself to agricultural 
pursuits exclusively. By this industry he has 
increased the small capital which he brought 
from Europe until he is to-day one of Shelby 
County's well-to-do citizens. Politically he 
is liberal in his views. Mr. Barrett was 
united in marriage October 11, 1878, to Miss 
Catharine Seymore, a daughter of Charles and 
Magdaliue Seymore, born in Sleswick-Hol- 
stein, Germany, July 25, 1855; she came to 
America with her parents when she was ten 
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett are the 
parents of five children living, and two de- 
ceased — Florence, George H., Frank, Bruce 
B. and Thomas W. Mrs. Barrett is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran church. 

• " •■ ^ • i"! ' ! 



W. IRWIN, a native of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania, was born April 
\'* 7, 1820. He is a son of Edward and 
Elizabeth (Decker) Irwin, natives of West- 
moreland County, Pennsylvania. He was 
reared in his native county, near Johnstown, 
on a farm, and received a limited education 
in the subscription schools, in the old log 
school-house. Not satisfied with such meagre 
knowledge, he devoted his leisure hours and 
evenings after his day's work was done to 
his books, and in this way acquired an edu- 
cation equal, if not superior, to many college 
educations at the present day; he is a close 
observer, and is endowed with an unusually 
retentive memory, both of which have been 
of great assistance to him in his self-education. 
He is the second in a family of five children; 
liis father died when he was seven years of 
age, leaving the mother with a family of small 
children to support; so, as soon as he was 
able it fell upon him to assist in their main- 



tenance. When gnly nine years old, a mere 
child, yet a veritable man in courage and 
determination, he made his first business 
venture; he was hired as driver on the tow- 
path of the Pennsylvania Canal, receiving $8 
per month and board for his services. He 
kept this position for three years — his wages 
being increased after the first year. At the 
end of this time he was much gratified at 
being promoted to the position of steersman, 
receiving as wages $15 per month. He was 
held in the employ of the canal and railroad 
companies until 1849, when the Pennsylvania 
Central Railroad was being constructed, and 
he secured work with this company. He re- 
mained with them as a laborer and contractor 
until 1865; the last three years and a-half he 
served as night police, being sworn into the 
service by the government; in this as well as 
all other positions he was faithful in the 
discharge of his duties. In April, 1865, Mr. 
Irwin started to Iowa, and arriving there, 
settled in Washington County, on a farm, 
where he remained until March, 1870. He 
brought his family, consisting of his wife and 
seven children, with him. When he came to 
Shelby County in 1870 he located on the land 
which is now section 31, Jeiferson Township. 
The fall previous he had purchased 200 acres 
of wild land here, and he began the improve- 
ment of this. Mr. Irwin's brother-in-law, 
William Constable, came with him to this 
wild, new country, and their families were 
the only ones in what is now JeflPerson Town- 
ship; their nearest neighbor was four miles 
distant. When moving to the new country, 
they came to Avoca by rail, and there hired 
teams to convey them and their efl^ects to 
their destination; this was not easily done, 
as teams were scarce and roads were bad in 
those days. They finally succeeded, and all 
went well until they reached Harlan, late in 
the evening. There was but one small hotel. 



bioohaphical sketohes. 



365 



and when the emigrating party arrived, con- 
sisting of twenty-three persons in all, there 
was mnch wonderment as to how and where 
they were to be stowed away for the night. 
Mr. John B. Swain, one of the oldest settlers 
of the county, was the landlord, and he was 
C(]iial to the occasion, and soon had everything 
in ship-shape for his gu^ts. His family, 
however, were compelled to stay np all night, 
but that was a small affair in those pioneer 
days. The next day the travelers continued 
their journey, and landed safely at their re- 
spective places of abode. It was spring time, 
and the waters were soon so high that the 
families living on opposite sides of the creek 
were cut off from all communication with each 
other for three weeks. But Mr. Irwin de- 
cided to put a stop to this isolation, and im- 
provised a ferry out of a wagon bed, and by 
means of a rope thrown across the stream, 
attached to some bushes, he succeeded in 
drawing himself across. This is but one of 
many incidents which might be recounted of 
the adventures and hardships undergone by 
the pioneers of the State of Iowa. In 1881 
the town of Irwin was laid out, and derived 
its name from the worthy subject of this 
sketch, Ebenezer W. Irwin, through whose 
efforts the town was founded. It is built 
upon land owned by Mr. Irwin, who gave a 
good portion of land as an inducement to 
settlers. Mr. Irwin has served his township 
in an official capacity since its organization. 
From the very beginning he has filled the 
office of trustee and school director with- 
out a break. lie is a staunch Republican, 
and has always taken an active interest 
in the political affairs of the country. Mr. 
Irwin was married August 25, 1844, to Miss 
Mary A. Horner, daughter of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Beam) Horner, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Mrs. Irwin was born in Johnstown, 
Cambria County, Pennsylvania, October 23, 



1824. They are the parents of eleven cliildren 
— John (deceased), Sarah, wife of L. W. Wil- 
son; David S., Ruth (deceased), Clarinda, 
wife of William Kimble; Evalina, wife of 
Miles Reynolds; Julia (deceased), Lucretia, 
(deceased), Ellen, wife of Chauncey Randall; 
Priscilla (deceased), and Etta, wife of W. J. 
Wicks. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are worthy 
members of the Christian church. 

— ~... ? . ; .. t . ^ -^ — 



N. HARFORD was born in Wash- 
ington County, Pennsylvania, March 
* 19, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and 
Jemima (Leonard) Harford, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Until he was thirteen years old 
his parents resided in their native State, and 
then removed to Livingston County, Illinois. 
His boyhood was spent on a farm and in 
attending school. At the age of thirteen 
years he was compelled to abandon school 
and devote himself to farm duties. He was 
thus deprived of extensive advantages in ac- 
quiring an education, but has made up this 
loss in the cultivation of his unusually keen 
faculties of observation. When nineteen 
years of age he commenced life on his own 
responsibility, having nothing but a team of 
horses to begin his fortune with. He con- 
tinued agricultural pursuits in Livingston 
County and remained there five years. De- 
cember 19, 1869, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Eliza Gibson, a daughter of James 
and Mary (Anthony) Gibson, natives of Ohio, 
who was born in Ohio, March 8, 1851. In 
1873 Mr. Harford entered the employ of 
AVilliam Streight, of Cornell, Livingston 
County, Illinois, as clerk, in a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. He served in this capac- 
ity four years and a half, and in the summer 
of 1879 he came to Harlan and engaged in 
the mercantile business, where he continned 



366 



HISTORY OF SIJELBT COUNTY. 



until 1881; he then came to Irwin, or the 
spot where Irwin now stands, as his was the 
first family in Irwin proper. Here he opened 
a stock of general merchandise, in company 
with Gibson Brothers — the firm-name being 
Gibson & Harford. After two years Mr. 
Harford disposed of his interest in the stock, 
and entered into partnership with E. J. 
Trowbridge, in the general merchandise busi- 
ness. Tliis firm continued three years, and 
then Mr. Harford sold out to his partner, 
and bought the stock and location of A. C 
Allen, where he has since done an extensive 
business. He is to-day one of Shelby County's 
most prosperous merchants. He carries a 
stock of $4,000, and owns two good pieces of 
property in Irwin. Politically Mr. Harford 
is an active Republican, taking an active part 
in the politics of the county. He and his 
wife are the parents of three children — Mah- 
lon C., in the employ of the Northwestern 
Kailroad; James B. and Maud. The family 
are among Shelby County's most respected 
citizens. 



S. BRANSON, M. D., a native of 
Fulton County, Illinois, was born 
[® March 1, 1854. He is a son of 
D. W. and Caroline (Young) Branson, 
natives of Ohio and New York respectively. 
His boyhood was spent in attending the gra- 
ded schools of his native town, Morrison. 
When he was fourteen years old his parents 
removed to Marshall County, Iowa, to the 
town of Lamoille. Here he was occupied 
with farm work in the summer season, and 
in the winter he attended school. This he 
continued for three years, when he entered 
Ames (Iowa) State Agricultural College for 
two years; he then taught for seven years in the 
Iowa schools, at the end of wiiich time he 




commenced the study of medicine witii Dr. 
L. L. Bond, at West Side, Crawford County, 
Iowa. He afterward entered Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, and graduated from that in- 
stitution in February, 1882. Immediately 
after his graduation he came to Irwin, where 
he has since been engaged in the practice of 
his profession, wifich has grown to very com- 
fortable proportions. In June, 1883, Dr. 
Branson entered into partnership with W. 
Granger in the drug business, and the firm 
is doing business at the present time. He 
was married June 23, 1881, to Miss Nora 
Harris, a daughter of Benton and Amelia 
(Scoville) Harris, born in Black Hawk 
County, Iowa, June 22, 1858. Dr. and Mrs. 
Branson are the parents of one child — Earl 
S., born August 21, 1882. The Doctor is an 
active worker in the ranks of the Republican 
party, being appointed as chairman of the 
township committee. He is a member of 
the State Medical Association, the Missouri 
Valley Association, and is acting vice-presi- 
dent of the Shelby County Medical Associ- 
ation. He is a live, energetic physician, and 
we bespeak for him a prosperous and useful 
future. Dr. Branson owns 160 acres of land 
in the count}', which is under good cultiva- 
tion. He and his wife are worthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are 
among Shelby County's most respected citi- 
zens. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
and of the Legion of Honor. 

» ... g . 2 . . [ ■ > '" 



fOHN R. STEPHENS, a native of Parke 
County, Indiana, was born October 31, 
1845, and is the son of Edward and 
Hettie (Richey) Stephens. Tiie father was a 
native of England, and the mother of Ohio. 
When he was about two years old liis mother 
died. When our subject was ten years old 



DWQRA PniVAL SKETCHES. 



3li7 



liis father came to Iowa and settled in War- 
ren County, about ten miles southwest of 
Des Moines. He was reared to farm life and 
educated in the common schools. Mr. Ste- 
phens was united in marriage, October 21, 
186G, to Miss Elizabeth Ham, a daughter of 
J. E. and Lavina (Stanford) Ham, natives of 
Indiana and Ohio respectively. She was 
born in Indiana, February 1, 1848, and was 
eight years of age when her parents removed 
to Iowa and settled in Greene County. After 
his marriage Mr. Stephens engaged in farm- 
ing in "Warren County for two years, and then 
removed to Pottawattamie County, where he 
continued his agricultural pursuits until 
1880. He then removed to Gray's Postoffice, 
Audubon County, and engaged in the grocery 
business for two years. After this he was 
employed by Dierks Bros. & Lampson, lutn- 
ber merchants, as manager of their business 
at Gray's, where he remained but a short 
time, and was then sent to Irwin by the same 
company. He took charge of the business 
here until the company sold out, and was em- 
ployed by their successors, the S. H. Baldwin 
Lumber Company, who sold out to the Green 
Bay Lumber Company, of Des Moines. Mr. 
Stephens was retained by this company, and 
now has control of their business at Irwin. 
He is well calculated to till this position, as 
is demonstrated by his retention by each of 
the firms in succession. Mr. Stephens is an 
active Republican, and has been identified 
with the township otiicially as clerk for four 
years. He is a member of the board of edu- 
cation, now serving his second term, and is 
director in the independent district of Irwin. 
He was appointed one of three, as a soldiers' 
relief committee, in September, 1888. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., having passed 
all the chairs, and is a member of the Iowa 
Legion of Honor and the Grand Army of the 
Kepublic, J. R. Slack Post, No. 136. Mr. 



Stephens went to the defense of his country 
in tiie late civil war, enlisting in May, 1804:, 
in the Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
Company A, and serving until October 22, 
1864. He and his family are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stephens are the parents of three chil- 
dren — E. F. A., Edward E. and Lewis Manly. 
They are numbered with Shelby County's 
solid and reliable citizens. 

..>^ ? . ; ,, ; ♦ ? ,.«.. 



lETER WILL emigrated from Germany 
g to America in 1879. He was born Feb- 
ruary 1, 1855, and is a son of Henry 
and Lucy Will. He grew to maturity in his 
native country, spending his early life in at- 
tending school and in farm work. At the 
age of eighteen he was apprenticed to a cabi- 
net-maker and served two years and a half, 
when he began work as a journeyman, and 
continued in this trade until he was twentj'- 
four years old. He then emigrated to Amer- 
ica. The first stop he made was in Atlantic, 
where he remained a few days, and then came 
to Shelby County, stopping in Harlan for 
four weeks. He then engaged to work on a 
farm in Jackson Township for five months 
for Lewis Buck. After his time with Mr. 
Buck had expired, he was employed by a 
neiglibor to assist in the corn gathering, and 
remained there all the winter. In the spring 
he went to work for Charles Gish in Douglas 
Township, where he remained for nine months. 
He then purchased a team of Mr. Gish, and 
during the following winter hauled corn for 
the farmers to Harlan. In the sprint he 
traded his team for two ponies, and engaged 
in herding cattle. He followed this occupa- 
tion for five months, and on Christmas came 
to Irwin, where he and Peter Graves had 
purchased two lots. These they divided, and 



3«8 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Mr. Will built a stable and purchased a team 
of horses and started in the liverj and feed 
business. In July, 1885, he purchased of S. 
Kimball the present location of his barn, and 
now has a well-planned building and two 
good teams, and is able to accommodate the 
public with first-class livery. When Mr. 
Will came to Shelby County he was in debt, 
but by hard work and close application to his 
business he has accumulated a good property. 
He is a live, energetic man, and is among 
the solid citizens of Shelby County. He 
affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. 
Will was married October 11, 1885, to Miss 
Maggie Pepper, a native of Germany. They 
are the parents of two children — Henry and 
Peter. They are members of the Lutheran 
church. 




jjARTIN POLING, Se., is the son of 
Samuel, Jr., and Elizabeth (Porks) 
*^^?^ Poling, and grandson of Samuel, Sr., 
and Sarah Poling, of Pennsylvania. His 
mother's parents were John and Sarah Porks. 
Martin was born and reared in Barbour County, 
West Virginia, his birth occurring January 
29, 1819. lie was educated in the subscrip- 
tion schools of that day, and was trained to a 
farmer's life. In the fall of 1836 he, with 
his parents, two brothers and three sisters, 
came to Ohio and settled in Union County, 
where he met and married Peree Carpenter, 
August 4, 1839; she was the daughter of 
Solomon and Catharine (Hill) Carpenter, and 
was born in Virginia, August 13, 1819, and 
died October 7, 1888. Martin and Peree 
Poling were the parents of ten children — 
Silas, Cyrena, wife of William Gagle; Totten, 
Jane, wife of L. C. Westfall; Mary Ett, wife 
of Elijah Gish; Peree, wife of Jacob Tagnc; 
Josephine, wife of J. R. AlcConnell; George, 



Arthur and Martin H. After his marriage 
Mr. Poling remained in Union County three 
years, and then removed toVanBuren Countj^, 
Iowa, where he resided eight years. lie then 
lived in Mahaska County, Iowa, for seven 
years, then in Jasper County for eight years, 
and in 1865 he removed his family to Siielby 
County, settling five miles east of Harlan. 
In 1867 he took up a claim of forty acres, 
which had been abandoned, and afterward 
purchased an adjoining forty acres, all of 
which was wild land; here he continued to 
make his home, making necessary improve- 
ments. He erected a good frame residence, 
barns for stock and grain, built fences, and 
planted three acres of grove. He and his 
family had many hardships to undergo, but 
they now have one of the pleasantest homes 
in the county, and enjoy the pleasures of those 
who have a consciousness of duty performed, 
and work well done. Mr. Poling responded 
to the call for men to defend the Hag of this 
country, and enlisted in Company B, Thir- 
teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; he served 
eleven months and was discharged on account 
of failing health. He has always supported 
the issues of the Republican party, and has 
held many positions of trust and honor; he 
has tilled the otHces of justice of the peace, 
township trustee and assessor. His tirst vote 
was cast for William Henry Harrison in 18-10, 
and he has voted at every presidential election 
since but one. He joined the church in 1858, 
and s'nce that time has lived the life of a true, 
consistent Christian. His worthy wife fol- 
lowed his e.xample, and they made the journey 
through life with interests undivided. When 
Mrs. Poling died, a faithful wife and loving 
mother passed to her eternal rest. Mr. Poling 
now makes his home among liis children; he 
has thirty grandchildren and one great- 
grandchild. Although he has reached his 
allotted threescore and ten years, Mr. Poling 



:gm i '^-'S 




BIOGRAPHICAL tiKETCHES. 



371 



is hale and hearty, and carries his age like a 
man of sixty years. Martin H. Poling, the 
tenth child of Martin, Sr., and Peree Toling, 
was born in Jasper County, Iowa, March 27, 
1859, and has lived in Shelby County since 
18G5. Ills youth was passed on a farm and 
in attending- school. At the age of seventeen 
years he commenced to learn the blacksmith's 
trade with his brother Georn;e at Bowman's 
Grove; he worked with liim for three winters, 
and then began farming for himself in Jack- 
son Township; here he remained for three 
years, and then removed to Jefferson Town- 
ship, where he purchased a farm of eighty 
acres of unimproved land ; here he made many 
improvements in the way of erecting build- 
ings and planting trees, lie resided on this 
place for four years, and then came to Irwin, 
where he has since made his home. He en- 
tered into partnership with Charles McCon- 
nell in the blacksmith and repair business. 
They are energetic business men, and have 
built up an extensive trade in their line. Po- 
litically Ml'. Poling is a Republican. He was 
married February 4, 1880, to Miss Minerva 
J., daughter of Ephraim and Phoebe J. (Ward) 
Tague, who was born in Shelby County, Sep- 
tember 1, 1862. Mr. Poling and wife are 
the parents of three children — Vinnie May, 
Gracie Edna and Guy Hamilton. They are 
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and are among the respected and hon- 
ored citizens of the county. 



^MAR PACHA WYLAND, Clerk of the 
courts of Shelby County, Iowa, was 
born in Elkhart County, Indiana, Au- 
gust 20, 1855. He is the son of Isaac P. 
and Julia AVyland, and is one of a family of 
live sons and one daughter. Although a 
Hoosier by birth he knows very little of the 



State of his nativit}', his parents having emi- 
grated to this State while he was still an 
infant. In 1856 they settled on a farm in 
Shelby County, and Omar Pacha and his 
other brothers were reared to the hard work 
incident to frontier life. While still quite 
young he conceived the idea that a good ed- 
ucation would make life's journey much 
easier and more satisfactory, so he took advan- 
tage of every opportunity to gain knowledge. 
After attending the district school for several 
winters he entered the Baptist College at Des 
Moines, and was a student there in 1871, 
1872 and 1873. Upon leaving college he 
tanght school in Polk and Shelby counties 
for several years. Feeling that with the 
education he had acquired he was better able 
to take up the duties of life, and perform 
them successfully, he went back to the farm. 
Believing that he was better fitted to make a 
good, sensible farmer than he had been before, 
he put in cultivation a farm in section 27, 
Harlan Township; but in 1877, at their re- 
quest, he left the farm to accept a position in 
the land and abstract office of C. J. & D. M. 
Wyland. He soon developed a marked abil- 
ity in this line of work, and by close applica- 
tion mastered the intricacies of tlie business. 
He was soon placed in charge of the land and 
abstract business, and still holds that position. 
In 1875 Mr. Wyland was married to Miss 
Rachel J. Wallace, a native of Adams County, 
Illinois, and a daughter of Mr. James A. 
Wallace. Mr. Wyland was elected treasurer 
of the independent school district of Harlan 
in 1879, and has held that office ever since. 
He has been an active member of the City 
Council since 1886. In 1888 he was unan- 
imously nominated to the office of clerk of 
the courts, and was elected by a large major- 
ity over a very strong opponent — l)eing the 
first Democrat ever elected to fill that office 
in Shelby County. He is an earnest and 



373 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



zealous member of the Masonic fraternity; is 
secretai-y of Parian Lodge and of Olivet Chap- 
ter, and is recorder of Mt. Zion Commandery ; 
he is also a member of the order of the East- 
ern Star. Mr. Wyland is an honest and 
conscientious Democrat, strong in his convic- 
tions, yet never forcing his opinions upon 
others. He is to be envied in the possession 
of a very even temper; there is a quiet vein 
of humor running througli his nature that 
enables him easily to look upon the bright side 
of life. Always ready with a pleasant word 
for every one, it is not surprising that he has 
so many warm personal friends, and that he 
is so popular with all classes of citizens. Had 
we more natures like Omar Pacha Wyland's, 
life's burdens would seem the lighter to 
bear. 



SM. BOWLIN, of the firm of Eowlin 
& Paup, brokers, Harlan, is a native 
® of Pennsylvania, born iu Somerset 
County, January 27, 1855. He is a son of 
Joseph and Barbara (Ayers) Bowlin. The 
former was a native of Pennsylvania and of 
Puritan descent, and the latter was also a 
native of Pennsylvania, but of German 
ancestry. The subject of this sketch was 
sent to school in Summerfield, Pennsylvania, 
until he was fourteen years old, when the 
family removed to Iowa, and settled in Ot- 
tumwa, Wapello County. When he was six- 
teen years old he engaged in the grocery 
business, which he followed until 1876. In 
March, 1877, he, in company' with his brother, 
came to Harlan and engaged in general mer- 
cantile trade, which they followed success- 
fully until 1881 when he sold to his brother. 
He then engaged in the hardware business, 
in which he continued until 1886, when he 
sold out. January 1, 1887, he engaged in 



his present business. Mr. Bowlin was mar- 
ried December 14, 1879, to Miss Reppa L. 
Brazie, a native of New York, and a daugh- 
ter of Peter Brazie. Mrs. Bowlin is a 
member of the Baptist church. Mr. Bowlin 
is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian 
Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107; 
Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49. In the 
spring of 1888 Mr. Bowlin was appointed 
mayor of Harlan, and in March, 1889, he 
was re-elected to fill this office. 



|EIL CAEMICHEL, deceased, was one 
of the well-known and respected citi- 
zens of Shelby County. He was born 
in Scotland, at Linsmore, October 20, 1840, 
and was the son of Dugal and Sarah (Kieth) 
Carmichel. At the age of seven years he 
came to America with his parents, who set- 
tled in New York. When he was sixteen 
years old they removed to Canada, in which 
country he was reared a farmer. His educa- 
tion was obtained in the public schools. Six 
months before the close of the late war he 
enlisted for three years in the Twenty-first 
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company B, 
and was with General Sherman on his march 
from Atlanta to the sea. He was hoi.orably 
discharged at the close of the war. After 
the close of the war he came west and en- 
gaged in railroad contracting for some time. 
Mr. Carmichel was united in marriage, in 
Canada, November 15, 1870, to Miss Esther 
McCallum, a native of the county of Kent, 
Ontario, and a daughter of Hugh and Sarah 
(Newcomb) McCallum. The father was born 
in Glasgow, Scotland, and the mother was a 
native of Nova Scotia. The year of their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carmichel came to 
Iowa and settled in Monroe Township. There 
they resided fourteen years. Mr. Carmichel 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



373 



was engaged in general farming, but gave 
especial attention to raising and feeding cat- 
tle, in whicli lie was very snccessful. Before 
his death he had acquired a valuable estate. 
Mrs. Carinichel now owns 260 acres of fine 
farm land, and property in Harlan. Mr. 
Carmichel was a member of Parian Lodge, 
No. 321, A. F. & A. M. He was an active 
business man, and enjoyed the esteem and 
confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Car- 
michel has four children living — Douglas, 
Sarah Ann, Barbara and Neil. Lilly died 
since her father passed away. Mr. Carmichel's 
death occurred November 2, 1885. Mrs. 
Carmichel now resides in Harlan, and is 
giving her children the advantages afforded 
by the public schools. 

"' "■ ^ ■ 3"S * f, '— ^ 



fP. SORENSON, proprietor of the Har- 
lan brick-yards, was born in Denmark, 
® May 16, 1831. He is the son of Soren 
Peterson. He attended school until he was 
fourteen years old, and then worked on a farm 
and in the brick -yards for some time. When 
about twenty years of age lie married Miss 
Christena Johnson, and in 1869 they came to 
America and settled at Cuppy's Grove, 
Shelby County, Iowa. Mr. Sorenson worked 
on a farm until 1880, and then came to Har- 
lan and engaged in brick-making, establish- 
ing the first yard in the county; his yard is 
one of the largest in the county, having a ca- 
pacity of 1,000,000 bricks. Mr. Sorenson 
makes 500,000 brick annually, and employs 
from nine to sixteen men during the busy 
season. He has two patent kilns, and drying 
sheds for 44,000 bricks. There are three and 
a half acres in the yard, and the clay is well 
adapted to the work. Mr. Sorenson has had 
many years' experience in this trade, and has 

established a good business in Harlan. He 
as 



and his wife are the parents of ten children — 
James G., Mary, Severine, Christina, Alsa, 
Carrie, Christ, Otto, Nickoly and Julia. The 
last two named were born in Shelby County, 
and the others in Denmark. Christ, Carrie 
and Otto are dead. In December, 1881, Mr. 
Sorenson, wife and two children, Nickoly and 
Carrie, made a trip to Denmark, returning 
the following May. Mr. Sorenson has been 
influential in bringing many of his country- 
men to Shelby County. He was the first 
emigrant landed at Avoca, on the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and was the 
second man from Denmark to land in Har- 
lan, Mr. Andrew Peterson being the first. In 
two years, by his advice, several came over, 
and they have been followed almost every year 
by others, until probably more than 100 emi- 
grants have found homes in Shelby County 
through Mr. Sorenson's influence. lie has 
given much assistance to these people, and 
many are indebted to him both for his kind- 
ness and aid. 

lot ii.i y » 2 ) l ^« T| iii «a* 




W. BYERS, attorney at law, Harlan, 
was born in Richland County, Wis- 
consin, December 25, 1856. He is 
the son of Andrew C. and Mary (Holwell) 
Byers, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. 
The parents removed from Wisconsin to 
Hancock County, Iowa, when H. W. was a 
lad of fourteen years. There he obtained 
the education afforded by the public schools. 
In 1886 he began the reading of law with 
Macy & Gammon, and in 1888 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Des Moines, Iowa. He 
is well read in law for a man of his age, and 
has been very successful in liis practice. 
His office is the same occupied by Judge 
Macy and Mr. Gammon, on the north side 
of the public square, Ilarlan. Mr. Byers 



374 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



has already won his share of practice, and 
we bespeak for liim a prosperous future. He 
was married in May, 1882, to Miss Mary 
J., daughter of James and Mary (Wyland) 
Winegar. Tiiey have had born to them two 
children — ^James C. and Frank. Mr. Byers's 
political convictions find expression in the 
Republican party, which he zealously supports. 



J. PATTEE is the proprietor of one of 
.. .J the most popular restaurants in Har- 



'* hui. lie keeps the best grades of 
goods, is thoroughly experienced, and under- 
stands the art of managing an establishment 
of this character successfully. He was born 
in Germany, July 4, 1855, and is the son 
of Rudolph and Enstinia (Goulkie) Pattee. 
When he was seven years old his parents 
emigrated to America, and settled in Potta- 
wattamie County, Iowa. There our subject 
grew to manhood, being trained to the occu- 
pation of a farmer, and receiving a common- 
school education. In 1877 Mr. Pattee was 
married to Miss Emma Iloldman, who died 
in 1879. He was married again in 1883 to 
Miss Ella Lytton, of Harlan. They have 
had born to them three children — Emarilda, 
Joseph M. and Jessie Alice. Mr. Pattee 
votes the Republican ticket. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., No. 267. He is yet 
in the prime of life, is of a genial disposi- 
tion, honorable in business, and is among the 
representative business men of Harlan. 






fF. B ROCK, watchmaker and jeweler, 
Ilarlan, has been a resident of Shelby 
".County since 1879. He was born in 
Louisville, Kentucky, March 18, 1854, and 
is the son of Leland and Amanda (Goddard) 



Brock, natives of the State of Kentucky. He 
was left an orphan at the age of six years, 
and spent most of his youth in Decatur 
County, Indiana, receiving a common-school 
education. As before stated, he came to 
Shelby County in 1879, and in 1882 lie 
engaged in business with C. C. Olmstead for 
a time. ' He is now proprietor of one of the 
leading jewelry stores of Harlan, and is an 
honorable and experienced jeweler. Hecarries 
a full stock and a large assortment of goods in 
his line, and is receiving his share of patron- 
age. He has been established in his present 
business since 1885. Mr. Brock was mar- 
ried in 1881 to Miss Anna L. Peterson, of 
Harlan, a daughter of Andrew Peterson, 
whose biography will be found elsewhere in 
this history. Mr. and Mrs. Brock are the 
parents of two children — Franklin P. and 
Ivy G. Mr. Brock is member of the Knights 
of Pytiiias, No. 65; he is also a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 



;piriarciRS. Harriett a. truman was 

j'l \/ U born in Dover, England, and is the 
^ii0?^ danghterof William and Susan (Laws) 
Ashman. Until she was thirteen years of 
age she resided in her native country, receiv- 
ing excellent instruction and training. She 
then became companion to Lady Pemberton 
Knight who had been a schoolmate and inti- 
mate friend of Mrs. Truman's mother, and 
who also proved a most loyal friend to her 
young companion. In the society of this 
gifted person Mrs. Truman visited all im- 
portant points of Europe and tlie AVest Indias, 
obtaining in this way an education superior 
to that of most people of her day. Mrs. 
Truman was married in 1865, in Salt Lake 
City, Utah Territory, to N. M. Dickinson, a 
man of unusual intelligence and education. 



BWOHAPHWAL SKETCHES. 



375 



and a very successful business man ; he was a 
native of Vermont, and during the late civil 
war he served his country in the Sixtieth 
New York Regular Infantry, for three and a 
half years; he held the office of Lieutei'ant and 
Adjutant, and was a faithful and efficient 
officer. After the close of the war he entered 
the United States postal service at Omaha, 
Nebraska. From Omaha he came to Harlan, 
in which place his death occurred March 4, 
1875. Mr. Dickinson and wife were the parents 
of three children — Elena, died at the age of 
eleven and a lialfyears; George W., died at the 
age of si.\ and a lialfyears, and Norris M. still 
survives. Mrs. Dickinson was married in 
November, 1877, to P. C. Truman, an attor- 
ney of Harlan. Mrs. Truman owns 240 acres 
of well-improved land and good residence 
property in Harlan. She is a woman of in- 
telligence, culture and education, and is a 
worthy member of the Baptist church. 



tL. JARVIS is the owner of the Jarvis 
livery and sale stables of Harlan, Iowa. 
* This barn, located near the southwest 
corner of the square, was built by Downey 
& Company in 1887, and was sold to Mr. Jarvis 
June 12, 1888. Good driving teams and car- 
riages can be found at Mr. Jarvis's, who has 
built ujj a profitable business. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Rockbridge County, 
Virginia, March 21, 1835. His father, James 
Jarvis, was descended from an old Virginia 
family, and his mother, Mary Hildreth, was 
a native of Massachusetts. In 1837 his parents 
removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, where 
the father died in 1851; the mother died in 
Cass County, Michigan, in 1849. L. L. was 
reared to the occupation of a farmer, and re- 
ceived the advantages of a common-school edu- 
cation. In 1853 he went to Kankakee County, 



Illinois, remaining there one year; he then 
spent a year in Cass County, Michigan, and 
at the end of that time went to Piatt County, 
Illinois. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, Company II. While he was in the 
service he spent seven weeks in the hospital. 
He was honorably discharged May 9, 1803. 
In 1864 he went south in the government 
employ, and in 1805 he canio to Shelby 
County, Iowa, which has since been his home. 
In 180G Mr. Jarvis was married to Mary 
Billeter, and seven children have been born to 
them — Charles B., Leora, Owen, Frank, Fred- 
erick, Ella and Jennie. Mr. Jarvis owns one 
of the best farms in the township; it contains 
160 acres, and has a residence in Harlan cost- 
ing $1,800; he also owns eighty acres in sec- 
tion 29, Harlan Township. 



B. WARNER, Principal of the public 
school of Harlan, is a native of the 
"^ State of Pennsylvania. He was born 
April 12, 1855, and is the son of Samuel and 
Mary E. Warner. When he was ten years of 
age his parents removed from iievj York, in 
which State they had lived for several years, 
to Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri; 
there he attended school for some time, and 
in 1879 graduated from the State Normal 
School at Kirksville, Missouri. At the age of 
eighteen he began teaching, and with the ex- 
ception of the time spent in study he lias 
since followed this high calling. For four 
years he had charge of the schools in Aller- 
ton, Wayne County, Iowa, and in 1885, after 
an experience of eleven years, he took charge 
of the Harlan schools. In the profession of 
teaching he has doubtless found the work for 
which he is endowed. He is an excellent 
disciplinarian, and as an instructor has few 



37G 



HISTORY OF HUE LEY COUNTY. 



equals. Harlan maj well congratulate her- 
self npon having at the head of her public 
schools such a man as Mr. Warner. He was 
married May 24, 1878, to Miss Alice Perry- 
man, of Princeton, Missouri. They have had 
born to them three children — Kay, Blanche 
and Carl. Politically Mr. Warner is a Pro- 
hibitionist, and believes in free trade and civil- 
service reform. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

-^ "I ' ^ ' S ' I" "^ 



ITEPHEN YODER has been a resident 
of Harlan Township since 1881. He 
was born in Centre County, Pennsylva- 
nia, January 14, 1821, and is a son of Yost 
Yoder, a native of Pennsylvania; his father 
was also a native of Pennsylvania, and they 
were of German ancestry. The mother of 
Stephen Yoder was Sarah Yoder, and althou^gh 
bearing the same name as her husband, was not 
related to him. Our subject lived in Centre 
County, Pennsylvania, until he was seven- 
teen years of age. He was reared a farmer, 
and received his education in the subscription 
schools, and by diligent reading at home. 
In 1838 the family moved to Juniata County, 
Pennsylvania, where they remained until 

1845, when he removed to Wayne County, 
Ohio. Mr. Yoder was married January, 

1846, to Miss Catharine Miller, a native of 
Ohio. By this union two cliildren were born, 
one of whom, John O., is living; Jeremiah 
was drowned in Skunk River, Iowa, when he 
was fourteen years old. Catharine Yoder 
died July 12, 1850. Mr. Yoder was married 
again October 15, 1852, to Miss Margaret 
Shoemaker, a native of Wayne County, Ohio. 
By this union ten children were born — Rufus 
A., Stephen S., Samuel E., Mary Ann, Emma 
Jane, Joseph P., Sarah F., Maggie A., Ilattie 
S. and W. Alonzo. Mrs. Margaret Yoder 



died October 27, J.880. Mr. Yoder was again 
married February 11, 1883, to Mrs. Sarah 
Terwilliger, whose maiden name was Erb. 
She was born in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. 
Yoder resided in Wayne County, Ohio, until 
1859, when he came to Washington County, 
Iowa, where he improved a farm and lived 
until 1881. As before stated, he then came 
to Shelby County and bought his present farm 
of Washington Wyland, which is known as 
Windy Knoll farm; the place contains 160 
acres of land, and is one of the best in tlie 
township. Mr. Yoder has spent 81,400 in 
making improvements; he has built a good 
residence, a large barn, and has a windmill 
and a steam-cooker for food for stock. Po- 
litically he is independent, and is a strong 
temperance man. He is a member of the 
German Baptist church, and he and his son 
Rufus have charge of the church in this town- 
ship. Mr. Yoder's membership in the church 
began forty-one years ago. He has given his 
children a good education, and three daugh- 
ters and one son are successful teachers. All 
enterprises of a religious or educational char- 
acter have ever found a hearty support in Mr. 
Yoder. 

• " "^ ' ?"t ' | 



lEORGE W. CULLISON, attorney at 
— law, Harlan, has been identified with 
the interests of Shelby County, Iowa, 
since 1880. He is a native of Iowa, born in 
Henry County, October 6, 1848. He is a 
son of Elisha and Matilda (McCabe) Cullison. 
Elisha Cullison was a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1808, and was a son of Bennett Cul- 
lison, who was a native of Virginia. He was 
a son of Rush Cullison, who served in the 
colonial army during the Revolutionary war, 
and was present at the surrender of the Brit- 
ish troops at Yorktown. The father of our 





vu^ 



BIOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



379 



subject, Elisha CuUisoii, was reared to the 
vocation of fanning, and when a young man 
came to Indiana, where he was married to 
Matilda McCabe, who was of Irish descent. 
She was only a child when her father died 
and she was brought to this country by her 
Grandfather Baxter, and was reared in Indi- 
ana. In 1842 Elisha Cullison and his wife 
came to the Territory of Iowa and settled 
about one and a half miles east of New Lon- 
don, Henry County. They squatted on a 
tract of wild land, and when it came into the 
market they entered it from the government. 
He followed agricultural pursuits until 1858, 
when he moved to Adair County, Missouri. 
Here he settled on a farm and also engaged 
in the mercantile business. At the breaking 
out of the war he boldly declared himself in 
favor of the preservation of the union at any 
cost. The county was about evenly divided 
for and against the union, and great bitter- 
ness was engendered between the union men 
and " secesh." Elisha Cullison employed 
his time during the first year of the war in 
enlisting men for the union armies and or- 
ganizing home guards. He, together with 
two others, Dr. J. W. Lee and Mr. T. J. Ly- 
can, were so diligent in organizing union troops 
that the three became very offensive to the 
rebels who offered a reward of $1,000 each 
for the capture of them. They were never 
caught, but the rebel General Martin E. 
Green captured the little town (Paulville) and 
robbed the stores of Cullison and Lycan, and 
tiie office of Dr. Lee, and took all the horses, 
cattle, chickens, turkeys, hay and grain, 
and meat, flour and vegetables belonging to 
Cullison, and left his fainily with nothing to 
live upon. In 1863 he enlisted as a private 
in the Missouri State Militia, George H. 
Boone, Captain, but was soon disciiarged on 
account of his age. His son, William Rush, 
served through the entire war in Company A, 



Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and now lives 
in Kansas City, Missouri. The father died 
February 1, 1865, at the age of fifty-seven. 
His wife survived him until December, 1872, 
and died at the age of fifty-four. They were 
the parents of twelve children, six of whuui 
lived to maturity and five of whom still sur- 
vive, four sons and one daughter. George 
W., the subject of this sketch, was reared on 
a farm and remained at home until the death 
of his father. He was little past twelve years 
old when Sumter was fired on, and during 
the greater part of the war was the oldest 
male member of the family left at home. 
During the war the public schools of the State 
were destroyed and he had no opportunity to 
attend school until the war was over. After 
the death of his father in 1865 he resolved to 
obtain an education, and on September 13, 
1865, he entered college at Monroe, in Mon- 
roe County, Missouri. He remained there 
till the spring of 1867, and during that sum- 
mer he worked on a farm for $20 per month. 
In September of that year he entered the 
Normal University of Missouri, and in June, 
1870, graduated from the same. -He was 
considerably in debt at that time to friends 
who had advanced him money to complete 
his education. The next week after his gradu- 
ation he hired out to parties then engaged in 
building in Kirksville, and was in a short 
time carrying the hod while a man at the top 
was doing the work. He continued at this 
employment till in September of that year 
he secured a country school. While he was 
teaching school and during his vacations he 
studied law under Judge Andrew Ellison. In 
1871 he came to Iowa and established an in- 
dependent school, known as the Troy Normal 
Scliool. He was engaged in that school for 
four years, and during that time the school 
flourished as it never did before, having an 
attendance of from 100 to 200 students. In 



380 



niSTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



1874 he was selected as principal of the 
Southern Iowa Normal and Scientific Insti- 
tute, and placed that institution on such a 
solid footing that it still is numbered among 
the prosperous schools of Iowa. He con- 
tinued his study of the law under Judge H. 
C. Traverse, of Bloomfield, and in 1876 was 
admitted by Judge J. C. Knapp to the prac- 
tice of the law. In 1871, while teaching at 
Troy, his wife, Mrs. Jennie S. (Gates) Culli- 
son attended his school. She is a native of 
Essex County, New York, and was born in 
1849, and is a daughter of David Gates and 
Rusetta (Hough) Gates. Her parents came 
to Jefferson County, Iowa, when she was a 
child. After Mr. Cullison was admitted to 
the bar he practiced his profession and taught 
school till 1880, when he formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. T. H. Smith, since which time 
he has devoted himself exclusively to the 
practice of law. He is recognized as one of 
the most thorough scholars in the west and 
stands among the foremost in his profession. 
His opinion is recognized as very valuable 
among his associates at the bar. His firm 
has the largest practice in the county and it 
extends to several counties in the district. 
Mr. Cullison is regarded as a very excellent 
public speaker. When ho addresses the court 
it is done in that accurate and scholarly way 
that makes what he has to say both instruct- 
ive and entertaining. His addresses to the 
public are earnest, thoughtful productions, 
rich in illustration and pleasing in manner. 
He is a very active, energetic man, and has 
always been industrious. He manages his 
business with skill and caution and never 
permits it to fail. He has never held office 
except school director, and has never been a 
candidate but twice. In 1876 he was a can- 
didate for superintendent of public instruc- 
tion, and in 1886 was the nominee of his party 
for judge of the fifteenth judicial district of | 



Iowa. He was Vjeaten by a small majority 
after running more than 1,000 votes ahead of 
his ticket. One of the most pleasing features 
of Mr. Cullison's life is his domestic relations. 
He has a pleasant home and family and en- 
joys it as but few do. He and Mrs. Cullison 
are parents of six children, five of whom are 
now living, four girls and one boy — Maggie 
Lenore, Ollie M., Elizabeth B., Mabel Ella, 
and Shelby. On May 5, 1889, they lost one 
little son, Ben Eli, who died after an illness 
of four weeks of typhoid fever. He was a 
most interesting cliild, five years, three months 
and eighteen days old. Mr. Cullison is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge, 
No. 267. He is a past grand of the order. 
Politically he is an independent Democrat. 







P. CHANCE, a Hoosier by birth, 
and a soldier of the late war, is one 
' of the enterprising and successful 
farmers of Harlan Township, Shelby County, 
Iowa. He was born in Grant County, Indi- 
ana, August 13, 1841, and is a son of Will- 
iam Chance, a native of North Carolina, who, 
when a boy, came to Highland County, Oliio, 
where he was reared. He then went to Wayne 
County, Indiana, where he was married to 
Miss Jane Potter, a native of New Jersey. 
He lived there one year. He was among the 
first settlers in Grant County, Indiana, and it 
was there that his wife died. After her death 
the father and children came to Iowa, set- 
tling near Chariton, Lucas County. William 
Chance now lives in Ness County, Kansas. 
W. P. Chance was reared a farmer and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools. 
During the late war he was one of the first to 
go to the defense of his country. Ho enlisted 
in March, 1862, in the Thirty-fourth Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served 



BIOORAPUICAL SE ETCHES. 



381 



three years and ten months. He was in the 
battles of Cliainpion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, 
and Jackson, Mississippi. He re-enlisted and 
retnrned home on a furlough, after which he 
went south again, and was at New Orleans 
on duty under General Banks for a time. He 
then went to Texas, and afterward took an 
active part in the last battle fought in the war. 
He was honorably discharged in February, 
1866, at Brownsville, Texas, and was finally 
discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. 
Chance then returned to Iowa, and engaged 
in the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture. 
He was married December 24, 1869, to Miss 
Sarah Mellville, a daughter of Andrew and 
Rachel (Armstrong) Mellville; the father was 
born in Scotland, and came to Lucas County 
in 1854; the naother was. a native of Ohio. 
By this marriage one child was born — Mell- 
ville C. Mrs. Chance died November 4, 1870. 
Mr. Chance was married January 11, 1872, 
to Miss Isabella Mellville, a sister of his first 
wife; by this union three children have been 
born — Arthur B., Harry Garfield, and Carrie 
B. In 1871 Mr. Chance came to Shelby 
County, and settled on section 19, Harlan 
Township; later he removed to Harlan where 
he improved a good piece of property. In 
1886 he came to his present farm of 280 
acres, which is well improved. He is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., Harlan Post, No. 107, 
and is a member of the Christian church. 



^ENRY C. NICOLLS is* one of the pio- 
neers of Shelby Township, having set- 
tled here in 1876. He was born in 
Morgan County, Ohio, September 20, 1829. 
He is a son of Israel and Mary (Craig) 
Nicolls. The father was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and the mother' of Ohio. They had 
eleven children. IJenry was the second born, 



but the oldest to grow to maturity. The 
parents lived in Ohio until the time of their 
death, which occurred in Hocking County. 
Henry C. Nicolls was reared a farmer, and 
received his education at subscription schools, 
in primitive log school-honsea with slab seats, 
and floors made of puncheons. He was six- 
teen years old when his parents moved to 
Hocking County, Ohio. He was married 
September 12, 1850, to Miss Sarah Pratt, 
who was born in Athens County, Ohio, May 
15, 1827. She was the daughter of Elias 
and Mary (Swain) Pratt. The father died 
in Athens County, and the mother in southern 
Illinois. Mr. Nicolls lived in Ohio until 
1854, when he removed to Iowa, coming by 
teams and wagons, and camping on the way. 
He started October 9, and arrived in Johnson 
County, Iowa, November 6. He remained 
here nine years. He enlisted in the late war 
September 2, 1862, in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, 
Company I, and took an active part in the 
battle of White Stone Hill, with the Dakota 
and Sioux Indians, and at Cannon-Bail River, 
near the Bad Lands. He was in other skir- 
mishes from the Little Missouri Riverthrough 
to the Yellowstone River, in 1864. He served 
under General Alfred Sully. They laid out 
Fort Rice, and built Fort James and Fort 
Sully. Mr. Nicolls served three years and 
one month, and was mustered out of the serv- 
ice at Sioux City as Second Lieutenant, and 
was discharged at Davenport, Iowa. He then 
went to Benton County, Iowa, where the 
family had moved, near Belle Plain. Later 
they moved near Luzerne, in the same 
county, where he made bis home until he 
came to Shelby County. He bought 160 acres 
of land; there was a rude cabin and 100 acres 
broken. Here he has since lived, and has 
made improvements until the Nicolls farm is 
among the best in the county. Tlierc is a 
good two-story house, a barn and sheds, an 



383 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



orchard, aud a grove of five acres. Mr. N icolls 
and wife liavefive children — Mary Jane, Amos 
P. (of Dakota), Sophia Elizabeth, Albert Ben- 
ton Vinton and Rachel Viola. Mr. NicoUs 
is a Republican, and has served eight years 
as township trustee with credit. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 
371, of Shelby. He was a member of the 
Grange during its palmy days. He is a man 
well informed, and is a close observer. Al- 
though fifty-nine years old, he carries his age 
lightly. He is kind and genial to all, and 
has the respect and confidence of all who 
know him. 

-*-"' S * 5"S ' |" ">°' 



PSARRISON SMITH, of Shelby Town- 
ship, section 22, is one of the promi- 
nent citizens. He bought land in the 
township in 1872, and settled there in 1873. 
He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 29, 1849, a son of Solomon and Lethinda 
(Newman) Smith, natives of Ohio. When 
he was fourteen years old he went to Illinois 
with an older In-other. Here he spent his 
time in farming and attending the public 
schools. In 1868 he removed to Poweshiek 
County, Iowa. He was married September 
10, 1872, to Miss Mary Harrod, a daughter 
of John and Rachel Harrod, who was born 
in Knox County, Ohio. Mr. Smith was en- 
gaged in farming in Poweshiek County until 
1873, when he came to Shelby Township and 
located on his present farm. He first bought 
eighty acres, but has since bought more till 
he now owns 320 acres. His farm is one of 
the best improved in the township. His 
house, built in 1882, is a large frame build- 
ing of modern style, well situated on a 
natural building site, surrounded by a fine 
grove. His barn is commodious, and he has 
ohter good buildings for grain and stock. 



Everything is i;eat and snug, and well ar- 
ranged for convenience and comfort. He has 
Hambletonian horses, as fine as can be found 
in the county. He is a Republican, a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order, Shelby Lodge, No. 
371, and one of the successful early settlers. 
He has done his share in the improvement of 
the county. He is cordial to all, honorable 
in business, and has the esteem and regard 
of all who know him. 



►>4^ 



,^^, B. LINN is one of the well-known 
k^Si^ and honored citizens of Shelby Town- 
® ship. He was born in Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1836, 
and is a son of James and Nancy (Booher) 
Linn, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of 
Irish and the mother of German descent. 
The parents reared six sons and one daugh- 
ter — S. B. was the sixtli child. He was reared 
on a farm, and received his education in the 
public-schools. During the great rebellion 
he enlisted at Lincoln's call for 300,000 men, 
in the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Com- 
pany A. He served until the close of the 
war and was discharged at Lexington, North 
Carolina. He took an active part in all the 
engagements under General Kilpatrick, from 
Atlanta to the sea. He was discharged, and 
returned to Huntingdon County, Pennsylva- 
nia, where he was married to Miss Jane 
Keagy, who was born in Clearfield County, 
Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Abram 
and Elizabeth (Shoft") Xeagy. Mr. Linn 
lived in Pennsylvania until 1878, when he 
came to Shelby County and settled on an 
eighty-acre tract of land. He now has a fine 
farm, a good story and a half house, a barn 
and windmill. Everything shows the energy 
and prosperity of the proprietor. He now 
owns 177 acres of tine land. Mr. Linn and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



wife have four children — Luella V., Mary 
K., Lizzie N. and Samuel H. They have 
given their children the advantage of a good 
education. Their daiighters are all success- 
ful teachers; two of them are now attending 
college at Indianola, Iowa. Mr. Linn is a 
Republican. He has served as township 
trustee and on the school board. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and has served as trustee of the same. Mrs. 
Linn and daughters are also members of the 
church. Mr. Linn is a member of the G. 
A. R, Dick Yates Post, No. 364. He has 
always been a liberal supporter of all religious 
and educational advancement. He is one of 
Shelby County's most valuable and highly 
esteemed citizens. James Linn, father of S. 
B., went as a volunteer in the war of 1812. 
When he left home his father traveled for 
two days with liiin; when he left him he said: 
" My son, be true to your country, and never 
return with the name of being a coward!" 
He was honorably discharged in December, 
1814, and was married to Nancy Booker, 
January 31, 1815. Four of their sons an- 
swered their country's call for men to defend 
her flag. 

'°> - ' g - 3 " l -§^"^ 



fOHN S. POTTER came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, in 1874. He is a native 
of Canada, born July 25, 1854, a son of 
John Potter and Rebecca (Dixon) Potter, 
natives of England. John S. was thirteen 
years old when his parents moved to Iowa in 
1867, locating at West Liberty, Iowa, where 
they now reside. He was raised a farmer, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. In 1874, before he was twenty-one 
years old, he came to the county with only 
80 cents, and §40 in debt. He lived in tiie 
vicinity of Cuppy's Grove for a time. In 



1876 he bought eighty acres of wild land in 
Harrison County, and later bought forty acrse 
more, which he broke and fenced. He lived 
on a rented farm for two years, and came to 
his present farm in 1879. He had rented 
this three years before he bought it. His 
home farm contains 141 acres, and he owns 
120 acres in Harrison County, making 261 
acres in all. The home place is well im- 
proved; there is a good house on a natural 
building site, a barn, sheds lor stock, a wind- 
mill, and a grove. Everything indicates 
thrift and prosperity. Mr. Potter is largely 
engaged in stock-raising and feeding, in which 
he is successful. He was married February 
28, 1877, to Miss Cora E. Evans, of Musca- 
tine County, Iowa, a daughter of Jerry and 
Catharine (Hayward) Evans. She was born 
in Geauga County, Ohio. They have three 
cliildren — Catharine Belle, Edwin Hayward 
and Bessie Rebecca. They have one child 
dead — John Albert, born December 23, 1877, 
died December 21, 1878. Mr. Potter is a 
Democrat. Though but a young man, and 
coming to the county with no means, he has 
by industry and good management acquired 
a good property, and gained a high position 
in the county. He is one of the solid, relia 
ble men. 

''- "^ • S i' S ' l" "" 




ILLIAM G. BARRETT is one of the 
intelligent and leading citizens of 
Shelby Township. He came to the 
county in 1877. He was born in Harrison 
County, Ohio, August 16, 1846, and is a son 
of J. W. and Sarah (Lavely) Barrett, natives 
of Ohio. William G. was reared a fartner, 
and received his education in the common 
schools and the Bucyrus, Ohio, High School. 
In 1863 he removed to Mahaska County, 
Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He was 



384 



HISTORY OP SUELBT COUNTY. 



married February 25, 1877, to Miss Alice 
Hollister, a daughter of Orange and Martha 
(Lainborn) Hollister, of Mahaska County, 
Iowa. In 1877 lie came to Shelby Town- 
ship and bought eighty acres of partially 
improved land. He has since built a com- 
fortable house, surrounded by shade and or- 
namental trees. He has planted an orchard 
and grove, and has good barns for stock and 
grain. He owns 200 acres of land, 120 acres 
lying in the east part of section 2, as fine 
land as there is. He is a thrifty and enter- 
prising farmer, as everything on his place 
indicates. Mr. Barrett and wife have three 
children — Galen A., Mabel Bertha and Sarah 
Martha. He is a Republican and a member 
of the Evangelical church. He is a liberal 
and active supporter and a trustee. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, Shelby Lodge. 
Though comparatively a young man, he has 
gained a good position in the county, socially 
and financially. He is an earnest supporter 
of any enterprise tending to the advancement 
of religion and education. He is kind, genial 
and hospitable, and is one of Shelby Town- 
ship's most worthy and respected citizens. 



— "^S- S ";-- ;— — 

C. JENSON, of Shelby Township, is 
one of tiic successful farmers. He came 
® here in 1874. He was born in Den- 
mark, December 12, 1837, a son of Jens and 
Anna (Dorothea) Hanson. He attended 
school seven years, and then worked on a 
farm for a time; he afterward learned the 
trade of a locksmith and worked at it for 
several years. In the spring of 1866 he 
sailed from Hamburg for New York; he went 
to Piiiiadeiphia and remained eight mouths; 
then to Rock Island, Illinois, where he worked 
at the blacksmith's trade for one year; then 
he went farther west and worked on the rail- 



road for some, tjrae. He then went south to 
Louisiana and Te.xas; he was also in St. Louis. 
The next move was to California and Oregon; 
but he returned to Iowa and bought his pres- 
ent farm. It was wild, unimproved land, 
and he now has a good farm of 160 acres, a 
nice house, orchard, grove, stables for stock 
and cribs for grain. He is a good farmer, 
and everything indicates good management 
and prosperity. He was married March 17, 
1876, to Tina Anderson, who was born in 
Denmark and came to America in 1874; she 
was the daughter of Annis and Bertha Olson. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jenson have two children liv- 
ing — Jens Anderson and Anna Dorothea. 
Three are dead; one called Jens Anderson, 
Bertha and a baby. Our subject is a Repub- 
lican. Both he and his wife are members of 
the Lutheran church; he is an honest and 
enterprising citizen. 

"■ g - I ' T - ^- '" 



BEST is one of the 



intelligent 



%\f^kvL and progressive citizens of the town- 
*^^§?^» ship. He came to the county iu 
1873. He was born in Mercer County, 
Pennsylvania, June 4, 1830, — a son of Rob- 
ert Best, a native of Butler County, Pennsyl- 
vania, of German ancestry. His mother was 
Margaret (Van Horn) Best, a native of New 
Jersey, of a long line of Dutch ancestry. 
His father was twice married; by the first 
marriage three children were born. Our 
subject is the oldest of nine children born by 
the second marriage. He was fourteen years 
old when his parents mossed to Cadiz, Harri- 
son County, Ohio, in 1844. The father 
was a cooper by trade, but he learned the 
trade of coach-making. His education was 
received in the common schools of Pennsyl- 
vania and the Cadiz Academy. He was mar- 
ried January 1, 1852, to Miss Mary Ann 



BIOGRAPHTGAL SKETCHES. 



385 



Mercer, born in Belmont County, Ohio, a 
daughter of Elias and Marj (Randall) Mercer, 
both natives of Ohio. In 1854 our subject 
moved to Muscatine County, Iowa, on a 
farm, where he lived until he came to Shelby 
County in 1873. lie bought 160 acres of 
wild land, and built the first house on the 
prairie where he now lives. He has since 
improved the farm and put it under good 
cultivation. He has a good dwelling-house, 
a line orchard and grove of live or six acres, 
and barn for stock and grain — all betraying 
the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. 
and Mrs. Best have eleven chiHren, seven 
sous and four daughters — Ella Belle, Sarah 
Amanda, Jennie Ida, Nissie Ithalbert, Harry 
Sherman, Archie Mathias, Alvin Stuart, Er- 
nest Legrande, Frank Clinton, Arthur Mar- 
shall and Charles Williams. There are two 
deceased — Martha Belle and Mary Adeliza. 
Mr. Best is a Republican. He has served 
as assessor and on the school board. I*Jo man 
in the township has taken a greater interest 
in education, or been more active in eleva- 
ting the standard of the schools. His daugh- 
ter, Ella Belle, was a successful teacher. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian church and 
a deacon of the same. His wife and daugh- 
ters and one son are all members of the same 
church. He is well-informed on general 
topics, cordial and genial to all; is honorable 
and upright in his business transactions, and 
has the confidence and respect of all who 
know him. 

- "^ ' S"! ' ^" "^ 



.LEXANDER ADAMS is one of the 
active and enterprising agriculturists 
of Shelby Township, who came to the 
county in 1875. He was born in "Washing- 
ton County, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1845, 
a son of William Adams, a native of Ireland, 



and Abegail (McGowen) Adams, of Wash- 
ington County, Pennsylvania, who is of Scotch 
ancestry. There were ten children in the 
family, of whom our subject was the oldest. 
His youth was passed in school. Wheii the 
late war broke out, though but a lad of six- 
teen, he went to the defense of his country's 
flag. He enlisted in December and was 
mustered into service January 1, 1862, in the 
One Hundredth Pennsylvania Infantry, Com- 
pany A. He served three years and eight 
months. He was flrst under fire at the assault 
on Fort Lookout, James Island, South Caro- 
lina. He took an active part in the second 
Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, 
Campbell's Station, Knoxville, Tennessee, and 
the Wilderness, where he vas wounded io 
the right thigh by a gun-shot. He was con- 
fined to the hospital five months at Wash- 
ington, Philadelphia and Pittsburg. He 
rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg, 
and was wounded a second time, January 21 
1865. He was confined to the hospital three 
months at City Point, Yirginia. He re- 
joined his regiment and was honorably dis- 
charged July 24, 1865. His service was 
brave and gallant, a credit to any patriotic 
citizen. He returned to his home and in 
three weeks removed to Johnson County, 
Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 
1870. He then went to Colorado and en- 
gaged in prospecting and mining until 1874, 
when he returned to Johnson County, Iowa. 
In 1875 he bought 240 acres where he has 
since lived. He has made many improve- 
ments, has a good house, a grove, and build- 
ings for stock and grain. He was married 
January 1, 1880, to Miss Bessie Gormley, a 
native of (xlasgow, Scotland, a daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Chambers) Gormley. 
Mr. Adams and wife are the parents of three 
children — Mary Annette, Nina Elsie and 



386 



EI STOUT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Harrold Montford. Mr. Adams is a Repub- 
lican, a member of the G. A. E. Post, No. 
364, and a member of the Masonic order. 
He is a man still in the prime of life, jovial 
and cordial to all, honorable in business, and 
one of Shelby's most worthy citizens. 



i^ANS N. HENRICKSON, one of the 
successful farmers of Shelby Townsliip, 
came to this county in 1875. He was 
born in Denmark, August 29, 1830, a son of 
Henry Hanson, who died when he was eighty- 
three years old. He lived in Denmark until 
he was thirty-seven years old; he went to 
school until lie was fourteen years old, and 
then worked on a farm until he was twenty- 
eight. He then learned the cooper's trade, 
which he followed for ten years. He was 
married in 1861 to Miss Bertha Maria Jerik- 
erson, and in 1868 came to America. They 
sailed from Hamburg to Liverpool and then 
to Quebec; from that point to Chicago, and 
from there they came to Jasper County, Iowa. 
Mr. Henrickson worked on the railroad for 
seven years, and in 1875 came to Shelby 
County and settled on eighty acres of wild 
prairie land, where he now lives. He has 
added to this farm until he now owns 300 
acres. He has a good house and a large barn 
for hay, stock and grain. He was twice mar- 
ried. By the first wife seven children were 
born — Henry, Ludwig, Hans, Jerkinson, 
Christena and Thinke, twins, and Martin. 
Mrs. Henrickson died November 5, 1873. 
Mr. Henrickson was married to his present 
wife October 7, 1878. She was Metta Chris- 
tianson, born in Denmark, and came to this 
country when she was thirty-four years of 
age. By this marriage six children were 
I)orn — Frederick, Mary and Engerbaugh, 
twins, Doseiia and Andrew. Mr. Henrick- 



son is a Repubycan. He was road super- 
visor two years. He is a member of the 
Seventh-Day Adventists of Fairview. He came 
to this State with $15 and was §200 in debt, 
but by industry and good management he 
has made a good living and accumulated a 
good property. He is one of the honest, re- 
liable farmers of Shelby Township. 



-5«H 



M. POMEROY was born in Frank- 
lin County, Pennsylvania, March 24, 
® 1849. He is a son of William and 
Elizabeth (McClay) Pomeroy, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father was of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry. He was reared in his native 
county, and received his education in the 
public schools and an academy. At the age 
of eighteen he engaged in the mercantile 
business, which he followed until he came to 
Iowa in 1872. He settled at Morning Sun, 
and engaged in the mercantile business until 
1875; he then came to Shelby and formed a 
partnershi]) with J. W. Campbell, a well- 
known l)usiness man of the town. They 
established a mercantile business, which con- 
tinued four years, when Mr. Pomeroy sold 
his interest to his partner and went into 
business alone. He built his present store- 
house and continued alone for four years; at 
the end of that time taking a partner, George 
D. Price. This partnership existed until the 
spring of 1888, when Mr. Pomeroy bought 
out his partner's interest. His store is one 
of the leading mercantile houses in the town; 
he carries a stock of $6,000 and transacts an 
annual business of $20,000. His long expe- 
rience in the business, together with his 
good judgment, has been the foundation of 
his success. He has also been extensively 
engaged in stock raising and feeding; he 
owns a fine farm of 400 acres near Shelby. 



BfOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



887 



It is well improved, having a fine dwelling 
and good barns; he also owns a good resi- 
dence in Shelby. Mr. Pomeroy is a Repub- 
lican, and has served four years as county 
treasurer with credit to himself and the best 
interests of Shelby County. He was elected 
to this office in the fall of 1881. lie was 
married November 2, 1876, to Miss Mary 
McClurkin, of Louisa County, Iowa. By this 
union four children were born — Elizabeth 
Is'., William H., Loren M. and Mary C. 
Mr. Pomeroy is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
Canopy Lodge, No. 401, of Shelb}'. He is 
one of the active and working members of 
the Presbyterian church, and has been since 
its organization. lie is a man yet in the 
prime of lif^l^ he is easy in his manner, 
jovial in his disposition, cordial to all. He 
is honorable in business, and has made many 
friends in the county. He has always taken 
an active interest in religion, and all educa- 
tional enterprises have found a liberal sup- 
porter in him.- 



liENPvY LEE, of Fairview Township, is 
one of the early pioneers; he came to 
the county in 1856. He was born in 
lilount County, Tennessee, September 1, 1821. 
He is a son of Nathan and Hannah (Dixon) 
Lee, both natives of North Carolina. Henry 
was the youngest of seven children; he was 
eleven years old when his parents came to 
Wayne County, Indiana, moving with a four- 
horse team; they remained there three years 
and then went to Cass County, Michigan; 
the father died in 1837, and the mother in 
1847. Henry was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in pioneer schools in 
log school-houses. He was married in Cass 
County, Michigan, October 31, 1847, to Miss 
Mary C. McConnell, a daughter of James and 



Mary (Grose) McConnell; she was born in 
Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1852. Mr. 
Lee moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, where 
he lived for four years. In 1856 he and his 
wife and five children came to Iowa, moving 
with an ox-team, one horse and a wagon. The 
first winter was spent at Bowman's Grove, 
and one year in Harlan township. He moved 
on his present farm in 1858, and was one of 
the first settlers in the township. He has 
improved his farm well; has a good house and 
buildings for horses and cattle; the farm is 
well adapted to stock-raising, being well wa- 
tered. Mr. Lee has seven children living — 
James M.; Mary liold, wife of Soren Eold, 
of this township; Martha J., wife of H. C. 
Reed, of Monroe Township; Sarah A., at 
home; Julia Ann, wife of George Larson, of 
Harrison County, Iowa; Samuel H., of Fair- 
view Township, and Jolin A., at home. The 
great loss of Mr. Lee's life was the death of 
his wife, which occurred August 14, 1886; 
she was a woman of many virtues, a kind and 
loving wife, a good and afiectionate mother; 
she was greatly beloved by all who knew her. 
Mr. Lee is a Republican; he has served as 
township clerk for eighteen years and as jus- 
tice of tlie peace for ten years, with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to the public. He is 
a member of the German Baptist church, and 
a deacon of the same. He has ever taken an 
active interest in education and religion. He 
is kind and hospitable to all and has the re- 
spect and confidence of all who know him. 



- < - ^ ' ^| ' — 



tEVI L. BARTLETT, of Harlan Town 
ship, has been identified with Shelby 
County since 1870. He was born in 
Henry County, Virginia, January 11, 1830, 
and is a son of Thomas Bartlett, a native of 
West Virginia, who traces his ancestors back 



388 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



to three brothers who came over in the May- 
flower. One of the descendants of these 
three brothers was one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Tlie ancestors 
of Thomas Bartlett settled in Virginia at a 
very early day. Sabrina Hill, the wife of 
Thomas Bartlett, was a native of Virginia; 
the rebel General Price and Thomas Jeffer- 
son are numbered among her relatives. Levi i 
L., the subject of this biograph}', was two 
years old when his father removed to Warren 
County, Indiana. There were twelve chil- 
dren in the family. Kancy died in infancy 
and John died at the age of twelve years. Ten 
grew to maturity — William, Washington, 
George, Thomas, Levi L., Maria, Sabrina, 
Elizabeth, Martha J. and Eliza. The father 
was born in 1791, and lived until his death i 
in Warren Connty, Indiana, which occurred j 
in 1862. The mother was born in 1793 and i 
died in 1866. Thomas Bartlett, in the day of 
the Whig party, was a Whig; in later times 
he was a Republican. In religion lie believed 
in universal salvation. Levi L.grew to man- 
hood in Warren County, Indiana. He was 
reared a farmer, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools. In 1852 he went overland to 
California with an ox-teara. The first year he 
was engaged in mining; the second year he 
embarked in the lumber and lime trade, and 
after that he freighted goods to the raining 
camps. In 1855 he returned to the east via 
the Nicaragua route, remained in Indiana a 
few months and then came to Iowa and bought 
some land in Cass County, and went on to 
Pike's Peak where he engaged in mining for 
two years ; thence he came to Audubon County, 
Iowa, where he lived a short time and then 
returned to Warren County, Indiana, remain- j 
ing there two years. In 1863 he went to 
California by water, and after a residence 
there of two montlis he went to Idaho, where 
be engaged in mining for three years. He I 



then retufned across the plains to Audubon 
County, Iowa, and settled near Brayton, where 
he was one of the pioneers; here he lived 
until 1870, when he came to Shelby County. 
His farm contains 720 acres of well-improved 
land which is watered by Bartlett Creek; 
there are all necessary conveniences in the 
way of buildings, and there are as fine cattle 
to be seen on this farm as one will find in 
western Iowa. Mr. Bartlett was married May 
9, 1859, to Miss Sarah Jenkins, a native of 
Kentucky, and a daughter of John Jenkins. 
By this nnion seven children were born, two 
of whom died in infancy — Raymond died at the 
age of two years, and Mary at the age of 
twelve years; Harrison, Jasper J. and Clar- 
ence L. are living. Mrs. Bartlett died in 
1878. Mr. Bartlett was again married Oc- 
tober 3, 1880, to Mrs. Victoria Hubbard, 
whose maiden name was Crouch; she was 
born in Moultrie County, Illinois, and is a 
daughter of William F. and Priscilla (Box) 
Crouch. By her former marriage Mrs. Bart- 
lett had three children — Irvin R., Burdell and 
Charles. By his last marriage Mr. Bartlett 
has one child — Leola. Politically he is a 
Republican, and served his party officially in 
Audubon County. He bears his years lightly, 
is honest and industrious, and is one of the 
leading citizens of the county. 



~* " fe ' S " ! ' ,?) 

fREDERICK GOODING, of Connecti- 
cut, was born May 13, 1838. He is a 
son of Peter and Elizabeth (Uimphill) 
Gooding, of German and French extraction. 
When he was sixteen years old he was ap- 
prenticed to a watch-case manufacturer, with 
whom he remained until he was twenty years 
old. He then left the paternal roof and went 
to Peoria County, Illinois, where he did farm 
work until his enlistment, August 13, 1862, in 



BIOORAPUICAL HKETGUES. 



301 



Company E, Seventy-seventh Illinois Regi- 
ment of Infantry; he served until July 13, 
18(55. Mr. Gooding participated in various 
engagements — Pleasant Hills, Mississippi, 
Ciiampion Hills, Black River Bridge, east 
of Vicksburg, in the rear of Vicksburg, in 
the charge of Vicksburg and in the siege, 
which lasted forty-two days. After the sur- 
render he went to Jackson, Mississippi, 
where some skirmishing was indulged in; 
he then returned to Vicksbnrg and camped 
one month; then he went to Red River, Loui- 
siana. His first experience in the service 
was in the pursuit of John Morgan through 
Kentucky, after which he went into camp at 
Vicksburg. In the engagement at Sabine 
Cross Roads he was taken prisoner, and hur- 
ried away to the stockade at Tyler, Texas, 
where he was kept in captivity for thirteen 
months. This inclosure embraced about eight 
acres, and accommodated 4,700 men; the 
prisoners daily bill of fare was a cup of water 
and a half pound of meal and beef. He was 
paroled at New Orleans, May 13, 1865, and 
received his discharge at Springfield, Illinois, 
in July, 1865. Mr. Gooding then returned 
to his father's home in Illinois. He was 
married December 20, 1866, to Miss L. M. 
Chrisman, of Salem, Knox County, Illinois, 
a daughter of G. P. Chrisman. For three 
years they lived with the parents of Mrs. 
Gooding, when they removed to Pella, Iowa; 
here Mr. Gooding made his first purchase of 
eighty acres of land, on which he lived two 
years; he then traded for eighty acres of his 
present farm; after making this trade, how- 
ever, he rented land in Jasper County one 
year, and then settled on his new home in 
Shelby County, Iowa. He has added to 
this 320 acres, which he has improved with 
his own hands. Mr. and Mrs. Gooding are 
the parents of two sons — W. H. and AlvaG. 
W. H. has acquired a good education, and is 



a competent teacher. Mr. Gooding has filled 
the offices of member of the school board and 
road supervisor. He is a member of the G. 
A. R., Harlan Post. Mr. and Mrs. Gooding 
are members of the Conwree-ational church. 
Mr. Gooding has made a specialty of raising 
fine stock, and is one of the prosperous, go- 
ahead farmers of Shelby County. 



~«»i ^ « ; n ; . ^H -^ 

I^ON. THOMAS LEDWICH.— It is to 
such characters as the Hon. Thomas 
Ledwich that Americans are indebted 
for theii knowledge of the typical descend- 
ants of the sons and daughters of the Emer- 
ald Isle, and it is of this type that Ireland 
may well be proud. Thomas Ledwich was 
born in Serrington, Lower Canada, Novem- 
ber 8, 1840. He is the son of Robert and 
Bridget (Louth) Ledwich, of County Meath, 
Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1829. 
In 1843 they moved to Shoreliain, Vermont, 
and afterward to Moriah, Essex County, New- 
York. The subject of our sketch was reared 
on a farm, receiving his education in the 
public schools, and at the academy in the lat- 
ter town. At the breaking out of the war in 
1861 he answered the call for troops to defend 
the flag of his country, and enlisted at Al- 
bany, New York, May 7, 1861, in Company 
E, Twenty-second New York Volunteer In- 
fantry. He participated in many hard-fought-' 
battles, and at the second battle of Bull Run 
was twice wounded, so that for a time he was 
disabled from active service. His term of 
enlistment expired in May, 1863, and he was 
honorably discharged June 19, 1863. Im- 
mediately re-enlisting in the Second New 
York Veteran Cavalry, he was commissioned 
Second Lieutenant of Company A, and in 1864 
he was made First Lieutenant. He took part 
in most of the battles along the lower Mis- 



392 



HISTORY OF SHELBT COUNTY. 



sissippi Kiver, and was in the Ked River cam- 
paign, commanded by General Banks; during 
most of this time he was acting Captain in 
command of the company. After the close 
of the war, having faithfully served his 
country for four and a halt' years, he was hon- 
orably discharged November 8, 1865, at 
Selma, Alabama. He engaged there for a 
time in cotton planting, but finding it un- 
profitable he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, 
and in 1868 to Victoria, Iowa County, Iowa, 
engaging there with his brother in the mer- 
cantile business. In 1869 he engaged in the 
lumber business at Avoca, Iowa, and became 
an active member of the business circles of 
that place. He established the Avoca Delta, 
the first newspaper published there. He was 
the first president of the Botna Valley Agri- 
cultural Society, and was first with his voice 
and his money to advocate and assist all pub- 
lic enterprises. In 1878 Mr. Ledwich re- 
moved to Harlan, Iowa, and established a 
lumber business, which he continued with suc- 
cess until his death. He became a leading 
spirit in every public enterprise that had for 
its object the upbuilding of the community; 
he was president of the Shelby County Agri- 
cultural Society, and did much for its success. 
He was a member of the town council of 
Harlan, and served three terms as its mayor. 
The following story related of Mr. Ledwich 
gives the index of his character: One morn- 
ing during his term as mayor, a citizen pass- 
ing down the street noticed a broken plank in 
a walk, and called the mayor's attention to it. 
Two hours later, going that way, he saw a 
new board in the walk which had been re- 
paired by Mr. Ledwich's prompt order. 
Always ready to answer the call of duty, kind, 
sympathetic, generous, open-hearted, good to 
the poor, a true friend to all, he was beloved 
by all who value true manhood. At one time 
when Mr. Ledwich was a candidate for office 



it was urged against him that he was too en- 
terprising, but fortunately for Harlan, the 
majority approved of this " fault," and it is 
due to this characteristic that Harlan has 
made the progress tliat has placed her among 
the prosperous towns of western Iowa. Mr. 
Ledwich was a member of Parian Lodge, No. 
321, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chapter, No. 
107, and Ivanhoe Commandery at Council 
Bluffs, Iowa. He was also a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. March 9, 1869, 
he was married to Miss Eva G. Henderson, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Faucet) 
Henderson, of Livingston County, New York. 
The father was a native of Pennsylvania and 
the mother of Scotland. Eight children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Ledwich, four of whom 
survive — Demain, Evelyn, Day and Robert. 
Elm was killed by the cars at Avoca; May, 
a twin of Day, died at the age of twenty-one 
months; Lake died at tho age of two years 
and eight months, and Bessie, a twin of Rob- 
ert, died in infancy. The family reside in 
their commodious residence in the east part 
of Harlan. Mrs. Ledwich is a member of 
the Episcopal church. Although not a mem- 
ber of any church Mr. Ledwich gave freely 
of his means to the support of religious work. 
July 8,1885, Mr. Ledwich passed to his eter- 
nal home. A plain granite monument marks 
his resting place in the Harlan cemetery. In 
his death the country lost a patriot, his wife a 
faithful husband, his children a loving father, 
and society one of its most usef al members. 

"" •' ^ • 3"I ' 2 



fOHN PANIAN, proprietor of the Buf- 
falo Shoe Store, Harlan, is the only 
dealer in boots and shoes exclusively. 
He carries a large stock of reliable goods, 
and does a large business. He has been in 
the trade in Harlan nine years, and by fair 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



393 



dealing and unswerving integrity he lias 
gained the confidence of all his patrons. Mr. 
Paniau was born in Austria, May 10, 1852, 
and is the son of John and Mary (Skoft) 
Panian. He attended school until fourteen 
years of age, and then went to learn the 
shoemaker's trade. He served an apprentice- 
ship of three years, and then at the age of 
seventeen years he emigrated to America. 
He worked at his trade in New York City 
for eight months, then went to Chicago, re- 
maining there three years. From Chicago 
he came to Iowa, settling in Clinton. His 
next place of abode was Erowu Station, in 
which town he worked two years. Then he 
went to Dubuque for two years, and then re- 
turned to Clinton County. He then removed 
to Shelby County, stopping in Westphalia 
Township for seven months; thence he came 
to Harlan. Mr. Panian was married at West- 
phalia, January 10, 1882, to Miss Tracy Rau, 
daughter of Anton Ran. They are the parents 
of four children — Frank, Rosa, Joseph and 
Charles. Mr. Panian affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. He is a member of the Roman 
Catholic church. 



fOSEPH CRIQUE was born in Lockport, 
Will County, Illinois, March 30, 1859, 
and is the son of Frank and Barbara 
(Addelman) Crique. Until he was fifteen 
years old he attended the public schools. 
He then began learning the trade of harness- 
making at Joliet, Illinois, during this time 
attending evening school. After he had 
learned his trade he pursued it for a time in 
Chicago, and in 1877 came to Avoca. He 
came without money, but possessed of indus- 
try and pluck. He worked at his trade until 
1889, when he went into business for him- 
self. He now has the largest harness shop 

29 '^ 



in Shelby County, and carries a stock valued 
at $7,000; and this furnishes another exam- 
ple of what can be accomplished by determi- 
nation and industry. Mr. Crique is deservedly 
popular in the trade. He was married iu 
1887 to Miss Minnie Swartz, of Harlan. They 
have one daughter — Hazel. Mr. Cri(j^ue's 
political sentiments find expression in the 
Democratic party, of which he is a staunch 
member. He owns his store building, which 
as valuable projjerty. 

^3"S ■ S ■^^ - 



g»i,ENRY CUSTER, Jk., is a genuine pio- 
neer of Shelby County, having come here 
in 1853. He was born in Fountain 
County, Indiana, May 26, 1844, and is a son 
of Henry Custer, whose sketch will be found 
on another page of this volume. He was nine 
years old when his father removed to this 
county, settling at Custer's Grove; here he 
grew up on the frontier, spending his youth 
in driving an ox-team and breaking prairie, 
both in Iowa and Nebraska. His education 
was very limited; he attended six weeks of a 
term of school taught by John Davis. During 
the late civil war he was one of the first to go 
to the defense of the nation; he enlisted in the 
fall of 1862 in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Vol- 
unteer Infantry; and served ten months. He 
was in the line of battle at Columbus, Ken- 
tucky. He was honorably discharged and 
returned to his home in Shelby County. Mr. 
Custer was married January 22, 1865, to Miss 
Catharine Wright, a native of Putnam County, 
Missouri, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary 
(Cochran) Wright, natives of Virginia and 
Kentucky respectively. Thomas Wright set- 
tled on Honey Creek, in Pottawattamie 
County, Iowa, in 1851, and died in 1852. His 
widow came to Shelby County in 1862, and 
died here in 1865. After his marriage Henry 



su 



IIISTORT OF SUELBY COUNTY. 



Custer lived in Fairview Township one year, 
and then came to Harlan Township. He set- 
tled on his present farm in 1881; this place 
contains IGO acres of land which Mr. Custer 
lias greatly improved. Mr. Custer and wife 
are the parents of eight children, two of whom 
are deceased — Samantha Dewey, Mary, Carl, 
Leroy, Jesse, Pearl. Jasper N. and Perry are 
not living. Mr. Custer votes with the Re- 
publican party, and is a member of the G. A. 
P., Harlan Post, ^o. 197. He is a member 
of the Anti-horse-thief Association of Fair- 
view Township, No. 27. He owns a pair of 
mules he has worked twenty-one years; one 
animal is twenty-six years old and the other 
is thirty- three. Mr. Custer is a wide-awake, 
energetic farmer, and all his surroundings 
show his thrift and wise management. He 
is plain of speech and manner, is a close ob- 
server, and is honored and respected by all who 
know him. 



►>+f- 



mam W. WYLAND, Deputy Sheriff of 
\j l/\| : Shelby County, and Deputy United 

{•=z^-^ ® States Marshal, was born in Elk- 
hart County, Indiana, January 18, 1852. He 
is a son of I. P. Wyland, a well-known pio- 
neer of Shelby County, now a resident of 
Dakota. He was four years old when his 
parents came to Iowa, and here on the frontier 
he grew to manhood. His youth was passed 
in assisting on his father's farm and in at- 
tending the district school. After his school 
days were over, Mr. Wyland engaged in farm- 
ing until the year 1880, when he came to 
Harlan and obtained a position with the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, as assistant freight and ticket agent. 
Two or three years later he engaged in the 
real estate business, and at the present time 
he is serving as deputy sheriff and as deputy 



United States marshal. He is a faithful and 
elBcient officer, and is serving the public with 
much credit to himself. Politically he is a 
Democrat, and is a strong adherent to the 
principles of Democracy. He is a member 
of the Knights of Pytliias, No. 68. Mr. 
Wyland was married May 6, 1871, to Miss 
Claritida Stanley, daughter of T. J. Stanley, 
of Shelby County. Mr. Wyland is yet in 
the prime of life, is a man of unusually 
strong physique, a cordial, genial disposition, 
and has a host of friends in the county. 

■■I « iy • 3i i T » ? ii.-iai 




ARREN GAMMON, attorney at law, 
Harlan, has been interested in the 
welfare of Shelby County since 1879. 
He is a native of Maine, born in New Port- 
land, Somerset County, January 16, 1846; 
he is a son of Ancil and Eleanor (Young) 
Gammon, both natives of Maine, and of Eng- 
lish ancestry. Warren Gammon was reared 
on a farm and received his education in the 
district schools; he resided with his parents 
until he was eighteen years of age, when he 
went to Illinois and settled near Pontiac, Liv- 
ingston County. His father was twice mar- 
ried; his first wife was Mehitable Young, by 
whom six children were born, four sons and 
two daughters. By his second marriage thir- 
teen children were born, ten sons and tliree 
daughters. Of the nineteen children, twelve 
still survive. Six of the sons went out in 
defense of union and liberty during the 
late civil war; they served to the close of the 
war and returned without a wound. The 
subject of this sketch enlisted September 30, 
1864:, in the Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, Company D, and served until the 
closeof the war; he was honorably discharged 
June 26, 1865. He returned to Illinois and 
engaged in the horse-detective business, which 



BIOGRAPHICAL HK ETCHES. 



y95 



lie followed for five years. Iti the fall of 
1869 he came to Iowa and located in (xiithrie 
Cdiintj, where he engaged iu opening up 
a tract of wild land; here he remained 
for three years, and then employed his time 
ill real-estate business, which he followed 
until 1876, when he entered the law office of 
J. B. Carpenter and began reading law; he 
■was admitted to the bar in Audubon County, 
His Honor Judge Loofboroiigh presiding. 
Mr. Gammon practiced his profession for two 
years in Guthrie County, and in 1879 he came 
to Harlan. November 24, 1881, he formed a 
partnership with Judge N. W. Macey, and 
has built up a lucrative practice. Mr. Gam- 
mon was married January 15, 1871, to Miss 
Annie Pickett, a native of Jackson, Michi- 
gan, and a daughter of Lorenzo and Annie 
(Graham) Pickett. By this union two chil- 
dren were born — Arthur L. and Bertie O. 
Mr. Gammon casts his vote with the Repub- 
lican party. 



►»^ 



,OUIS M. KERR has been a resident of 
Shelby County, Iowa, since 1883. He 
•^f^ was born iu Hadersleben, in North 
Schlesvig, Germany, and is the son of Louis 
and Margaretta Kerr. He attended school 
in his native country until he was fifteen 
years of age. He then sailed from Hamburg, 
via Glasgow, to New York, and thence came 
directly to Clinton County, Iowa, making 
this his residence for the next four years. 
In 1883 he came to Shelby County, and en- 
gaged as a clerk for Graham Brothers at 
Kirkman, in a hardware store. The follow- 
ing year he accepted a position with F. M. 
Bowlin, who was at that time in the hard- 
ware trade at Harlan. Later he accepted a 
position with W. W. Wheeler, of ilarlan, 
and remained in his employ until February, 



1887, when he secured a position in the land 
office of C. J. & D. M. Wyland. Mr. Kerr 
is still in the employ of this firm, and dis- 
charges his duties faithfully and with ability. 
In political conviction and action Mr. Kerr 
is a Republican. He is a member of Parian 
Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chap- 
ter, No. 107, and Mount Zion Commandery, 
No. 49. He is also a member of the I. O. 
O. F., No. 267, having filled all the chairs. 
He is a member of Mt. Sinai Encampment. 



LBERT A. SCHOUBOE, a resident of 
Jeff'ersou Township, is a native of Den- 
mark, and was born May 1, 1850. He 
is a son of Fritz and Minne (Friis) Schouboe, 
and was educated at home under the tutor- 
ship of a private instructor. When he had 
reached his twenty-first year he sailed to 
America. He settled on a farm in Ford 
County, Illinois, and ever since has followed 
agricultural pursuits. When he landed in 
this country he had but $20 in money, and 
was soon taken very ill, so he was compelled 
to spend all of his money and to dispose of a 
good suit of clothes. When he recovered he 
had the magnificent sum of 75 cents upon 
which to start in life on his own responsibil- 
ity. He had borrowed $60 to pay his ex- 
penses to America, and he replaced this the 
first year he was in this country. His career 
in America was not begun under the most 
favorable auspices, but he had pluck and 
energy and ambition, and these traits of 
character pay little heed to circumstance. 
Mr. Schouboe was married February 11, 1879, 
to Miss Anna E. Launders, a dautrhter of 
William and Elizabeth (Monroe) Launders, 
natives of England and Scotland, respectively. 
Mrs. Schouboe was born in Will County, 
Illinois, June 17, 1857. They are the parents 



39U 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of live children — Minne E., Arthur F., Leon- 
ard B., Viola I. and Claudius P. In Jan- 
uary', 1S81, the family came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, and settled in Jefferson Town- 
ship on 120 acres of wild land; here Mr. 
Schouboe erected a frame residence, and barns 
for stock and grain, lie has planted a grove 
of two acres and an orchard of one and a half 
acres. Mr. Schouboe's family were among 
the earliest settlers in the eastern part of 
Jeflerson Township, and the}' endured many 
hardships during the firbt years of their res- 
idence in the county. They now own 200 
acres of land and enjoy all the comforts of 
a modern civilization. Mr. Schouboe has 
always supported the liepublican party until 
1888, when he joined the Union Labor party. 
He was the first member of his famil}' to 
come to America, but he has since induced 
his brothers to emigrate to this land of the 
free and home of the brave. He also brought 
his mother and sister to America, but his 
mother died in Harlan in 1885. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schouboe are worthy and respected 
members of the United Brethren church. 



Wpfl of the Shelby County Bank, 
l*=i^^ of western Iowa's leading h 



IIJ^ILLIAM W. WHEELER, President 

and one 
_ hardware 
merchants, is one out of a thousand men who, 
without the aid of others, has by his own na- 
tive tact and energy become the possessor 
of a good fortune in almost a phenomenally 
short period ; he has won through actual merit 
the good-will and high esteem of both busi- 
ness and social acquaintance in a wide circle. 
As will be observed in the following sketch, 
three traits of character have been prominent 
in his life — faithfulness, self-reliance and per- 
severance. His whole career from boyhood 
has been exemplary and eminently fitted to 



become a pattern for any youth having an 
ambition for success in life. He is the second 
son and fourth child of Norman E. and Har- 
riet (Lake) Wheeler, natives of Connecticut, 
and of Puritan ancestry. Mr. Wheeler was 
born October 4, 185G, at Sharon, Litchfield 
County, Connecticut. He was reared on his 
father's farm, where they remained until 1867 
and then moved to Millerton, New York, 
where they engaged in the hotel business, 
following this until 1870. The mother and 
one sister died in 1869. From New York 
the family, with the exception of one sister 
who was then married, removed to Fulton, 
Whiteside County, Illinois, where the father 
still resides. William W. attended the com- 
mon schools at the different places he had 
lived, and finally graduated from the high 
school at Fulton, Illinois, in 1875. After he 
had entered the high school he left his studies 
and for about two years worked in a printing 
office, but being convinced that that art would 
not be what he cared to follow through life, 
he left the printer's case and again entered 
school, with a new ambition to finish his edu- 
cation and enter some business pursuit. The 
year prior to his graduation he clerked even- 
ings and Saturdays in the hardware store of 
his uncle, Charles N. Wheeler, thus partly 
paying for his education. He then went to 
Clinton, Iowa, where he engaged to clerk in 
the hardware store of George Spencer, with 
whom he remained until January, 1879. As 
an evidence of liis self reliance, it may be 
stated that when his nncle learned that he had 
hired to work for $5 per week in the Clinton 
hardware store, he told him that he was miss- 
ing it, and that he could make more money 
to go out and work on a farm, as the inexpe- 
rienced youth was to pay the whole amount 
of his wages for his board. But having de- 
termined to become a hardware merchant 
nothing could turn him from his chosen call- 



BIOORAPEICAL SKETCHES. 



399 



ing, 80 he tliankcd his uncle, but used his own 
judgment, believing his employer would soon 
raise his wases, which he did the first Satur- 
day night, lie worked to please and did his 
work well, hence was amply rewarded from 
month to month. Ilis brother, E. H. Wheeler, 
and himself established a grocery business 
at Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1877; W. W., how- 
ever, remained at Clinton in the hardware 
store during the existence of the partnership, 
which continued eight months there and 
finally ceased at Prophetstown, Illinois. In 
December, 1878, he came to Harlan, Iowa, his 
brother following the succeeding March. The 
two brothers were again to be engaged in 
mercantile trade, this time in the hardware 
business. E. H. bought a business lot and 
contracted for a frame store building, which 
they were to occupy in the spring. He then 
retui'ned to Illinois and remained till Febru- 
ary, when he shipped in a $5,000 stock and 
opened it in the building prepared for them, 
which, together with the lot ujwn which it 
stood, cost §2,000. The one-half interest in 
this §7,000 investment had been earned and 
kept by our frugal subject from the salary he 
had received during the four years previous 
to this date, with such amounts as his savings 
had made him by wise investments in a build- 
ing association, etc. Mr. Wheeler and his 
brother came to Harlan the same year in 
which the railroad was built, and they were 
theleading hardware firm among three trading 
in tlie town, which tiien only had a popula- 
tion of about 600 people. They soon won an 
extensive and profitable custom, which was 
the foundation of what has come to be one of 
the largest institutions in this section of Iowa. 
On account of his brother's failing health, the 
partnership was dissolved November 5, 1881, 
William W. purchasing the other half of the 
stock and business building. By 1885 his 
business had assumed such proportions that 



he was obliged to have larger quarters, and 
during that year lie erected a fine business 
house containing three floors. It stands on 
the nortii side of the public square, and is a 
model of solidity and convenience; it is 
24x120 feet, with two high stories and a deep 
basement where stoves and iron and heavy 
hardware are kept. By the use of an eleva- 
tor the three floors become as easy of access 
as though on a level. The building and 
ground upon which it stands cost Mr. Wheeler 
§10,000. At present he has a large, well- 
selected stock of goods of all sorts belongitig 
to the trade, including the finest line of heat- 
ing and cooking stoves in Iowa, of which he 
has always seemed to be the leader?" His stove 
sales amount to §500 per year, while the 
barbed wire he handles runs upon an average 
of seven car-loads. As the country develops 
he keeps adding to his already large stock. 
In 1882 his sales amounted to the handsome 
sum of §50,000. In connection with his other 
affairs he has purchased 1,000 acres of land, 
situated in Iowa, Nebraska, Dakota and Kan- 
sas, and twenty town lots in the city of Chi- 
cago, which is no small estate for a man of 
thirty-two years of age to possess. He be- 
came one of the stockholders in the Shelby 
County Bank at Harlan, and in 1883 was made 
one of the directors, holding that position 
until 1887, when he was elected president of 
the concern, having already purchased the 
former president's stock, in addition to the 
above named property. Mr. Wheeler owns 
considerable town property, including his 
charming residence, which he built in 1883, 
on the corner of Victoria and Third streets, 
at an outlay of §5,000. For a life companion 
Mr. Wheeler chose Miss Kate Griflith, a na- 
tive of Bridgeport, Ohio, and the daughter of 
B. B. (iriffith, Sr., now of Harlan, Iowa. 
Tiiey were united in marriage September 1, 
1880, under the following laughable surprise: 



400 



BISTORT OF SHELBT COUNTY. 



A sliort time before the event took place, his 
brother went to Cliicago to buy goods, and 
told William W. that he expected to be mar- 
ried before his return; so in due time wed- 
ding cards were sent on to Harlan, and as 
soon as they came, and thus fixed the exact 
date of the marriage, our subject took the 
cards to the home of Miss Griffith (to whom 
he was engaged), handing her the cards sent 
by his brother, and remarking, why can't we 
be married the same time here in Harlan? It 
was agreeable all round, and the ceremony 
was performed at the same hour in which his 
brother was being married at Morrison, Illi- 
nois. Ilis brother telegraphed him to meet 
them at the train in Harlan, and upon their 
arrival he introduced him to his bride, and in 
turn William W. surprised them both by 
introducing them to his wife! Mr. and Mrs. 
Wheeler are the parents of one child — Charles 
Lake. In politics Mr. ^VTieeler is a Repub- 
lican, but has never been an aspirant to public 
office, always deeming his own business of 
more consequence. At present he is a mem- 
ber of the school board of Harlan independent 
district, vice-president of the Harlan Business 
Association, and vice-president of the Harlan 
Coal and Mining Company. He and his es- 
timable wife are both members of the Con- 
gregational church and consistent Christian 
workers, he having been church trustee for 
several years. He is also an acceptable mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to 
the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; 
Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mount Zion 
Comniandery, No. 49. The reader must have 
been impressed with the thought, while tra- 
cing this most successful business man's 
career, from his start in the hardware store 
of George Spencer in Clinton to the statement 
of his fortune, that he is indeed an exceptional 
character, possessing in his make-up the finest 
elements which enter into the composition of 



a grand and successful life. He has ever 
been a hard-worker, yet seldom tiring in his 
labors. Whether in his store midst iron, nails 
and stoves, whether assisting in the banking- 
house with which he is connected, whether 
attending to his lands, whether in public or 
private life, this genial, whole-souled, Chris- 
tian gentleman is the same earnest, faithful 
friend of whom the world has none too many. 



►>^ 



fOHN POTTER was born in Yorkshire, 
England, March 2, 1835. He is the son 
of Thomas and Nancy (Thirsk) Potter, 
and was reared in his native country. His 
education is purely practical, and was gained 
through his own efforts by diligent reading 
and close observation. In 1857 Mr. Potter 
came to America and resided in Illinois until 
1861, when he made a trip to Canada, where 
he remained two years and then returned to 
England. Here he was united in marriage 
to Miss Hannah Pearcy, February 28, 1863; 
she is the daughter of Marraaduke and Anna 
(Greene) Pearcy, and was born June 20, 1841, 
in Yorkshire, England. Immediately after 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Potter came to 
America and settled in Carroll County, Illi- 
nois, where they resided six years. They then 
removed to Montgomery County, Iowa, and 
lived there for six years; thence they removed 
to Shelby County, Iowa, in March, 1875, 
where they have since made their home. Mr. 
Potter bought eighty acres of land in Jeffer- 
son Township, which he has greatly im- 
proved. He has planted a grove, in the 
midst of whichhe has good a frame residence, 
and barns for stock and grain. He has added 
to his first purchase until he now owns 240 
acres in one body of fine cultivated land. 
Politically he is a staunch Republican, and 
has done much toward the advancement of 



BIOQ-BAPHIOAL SKBTGHES. 



401 



the country socially and morally, and advo- 
cates all measures tending to the progress of 
the conimunity. JNlr. and Mrs. Potter are 
the parents of four children — Thomas 11., born 
November 2G, 1867, now attending the West- 
ern Normal at Shenandoah, Iowa; Libbie A., 
born October 12, 1870; James II., born Octo- 
ber •!, 1872; and John A., born January 29, 
1880. The family are worthy and respected 
citizens of the county. 



iNDREW WILFONG, a native of Wa- 
bash County, Indiana, was born March 
22, 1851, and is the son of Martin and 
Maria (Harvey) Wilfong. When he was 
two and a half years old the family removed 
to Carroll County, Illinois, where they re- 
sided until he was fourteen years of age. 
They then came to Tama County, Iowa, 
where they made their home until 1872. An- 
drew Wilfong was reared on a farm, that most 
excellent nursery of our national independ- 
ence, and was educated in the pnblic schools 
of Iowa and Illinois. When he had reached 
his majority he carae to Shelby County and 
settled on a tract of 147 acres in Jefierson 
Township as a homestead. However, he was 
defeated" in this by a scheme concocted by the 
railroad company to defraud settlers of their 
improvements. In order to retain the prop- 
erty upon which he had already expended 
much time and labor he purchased of the 
railroad company what he considered his own 
property by right of pre-emption, paying 
$18 per acre. Mr. Wilfong was married 
June 30, 1875, to Miss Parmelia Tibbott, a 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Horner) 
Tibbott, who was born in Ebensburgh, C'am- 
bria County, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1851. 
Tiicy are the parents of three children — 
Ethel, William, and an infant daughter (de- 



ceased). When Mr. Wilfong came to this 
county he was seven miles from the nearest 
improved farm and three miles from tlie near- 
est neighbor, excepting one, James Lothrop, 
a brother-in-law, now deceased. Their whole 
possessions were a team of horses and $50 
when they came to this new country, and 
they had many hardships to contend with, 
but they faced them bravely and are now 
reaping their reward. Mr. Wilfong has 
erected a good frame residence, and barns for 
stock and grain; he has planted two and a 
half acres of grove and made numerous 
improvements. Politically he is a staunch 
Republican, and has held many positions of 
trust and honor. Ho has served his town- 
ship as assessor, road supervisor and as a 
member of the board of education. Mrs. 
Wilfong is a worthy and consistent member of 
the Christian church. These people are a 
fair example of what can be accomplished by 
energy and industry, coupled with determi- 
nation to win. Mr. Wilfong occupies his 
time exclusively in farming and stock-raising 
and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of 
Botna. 



' ^ ■ g . 3ft- >-^ 

i,ETER HAMMER, of the firm of Son- 
neland. Hammer & Co., is one of the 
well-known business men of Harlan. 
He was born in Germany, October 4, 1864, 
and is the son of Otto P. and Christina 
(Stendrup) Hammer. He was given the ad- 
vantage of a good education, attending school 
until he was fifteen years old. Like so many 
other Germans, although fond of the father- 
land, he desired to tryhisfortunes in America; 
accordingly, he left family, home and friends, 
and came to America. After his arrival in 
this country he came to Iowa, and settled in 
Shelby County, working on a farm some time. 



403 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



In 1883 Mr. Ilaiiimer obtained a situation 
with Eidamiller Brothers, as clerk in their 
dry -goods store; there he remained until 
Eidamiller Brothers sold out, acquiring while 
in their service a thorough business training. 
He is now associated with Mr. Sonneland and 
Mr. Jorgenson in the general dry-goods trade, 
and they are doing a profitable business. Mr. 
Hammer was married October 25, 1886, to 
Miss Ida Nelson, of Harlan, a daughter of 
Peter Nelson. They have had born to them 
one child — Fred O. Politically Mr. Ham- 
mer affiliates witli the Republican party. He 
was reared in the faith and teachings of the 
Lutheran church. 

..v^. SMt . ? ,♦.,. 



S^pf ILLIAM CONSTABLE, a native of 
,, ,/j) Sussex County, England, was born 
l^-^^ October 8, 1827, and is a son of 
Henry and Urania (Wilson) Constable. When 
he was seven years of age his parents emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania; here he spent his early 
life, and his parents passed the remainder of 
their days. The mother died in February, 
1856, but the father survived her manyyears, 
and passed away at the age of eighty-six 
years; they were members of the Church of 
England. William was the fourth child of 
fourteen children, and his father being a 
brick-maker by trade, the sons were naturally 
trained to the same avocation. He was thor- 
oughly instructed and trained in the art of 
brick-making, near Johnstown, Pennsylva- 
nia. His education was acquired wholly out- 
side the school-room, in the evenings, and 
during leisure hours, under his father's direc- 
tion, who likewise was a self-educated man, 
excepting two terms of night-school. By 
persistent etlbrt he has gained an education 
which would be a credit to one having had 



much superior advantages. Mr. Constable 
remained with hisparents untilhe was twenty- 
seven years of age, when he engaged with 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and re- 
mained in their employ for live years. After 
this he worked in the Johnstown, Pennsyl- 
vania, Iron Works as puddler for five years. 
He was married August 21, 1856, to Miss 
Elizabeth Horner, daughter of Samuel and 
Elizabeth Horner, natives of Cambria County, 
Pennsylvania. She was born February 13, 
1837. Mr. and ilrs. Constable are the par- 
ents of thirteen children — Le Koy A. J. 
(deceased); Sophia E., wife of Edwin Rich- 
ards; William D.; Mary E. (deceased); Le- 
ander C. (deceased); Anna M., Edward H., 
Oliver P., Melvin T. B., Franklin H., Clara 
L., and an infant daughter (deceased), and Nel- 
son J. After Mr. Constable completed his 
engagement with the iron works he removed 
his family to Shelby County, Iowa, and set- 
tled in Jefferson Township, where lie has 
since made his home. His first purchase was 
200 acres which was partially improved. 
The only neighbor was his brother-in-law, E. 
W. Irwin, who came with Mr. Constalile and 
settled one mile southwest. The family had 
many hardships to endure during the early 
days of their residence in the county, but they 
had courage to face them bravely, and sur- 
mount all obstacles, and to-day are reaping 
the benefits. When they came to Shelby 
County the nearest marketing place was 
Avoca, to which point they were obliged to 
haul their produce and grain, and make their 
purchases. They have seen the country de- 
velop from a wild, uninhabited prairie to a 
prosperous, enlightened, agricultural district, 
and they have done much in bringing about 
this change, and well deserve the honor and 
esteem in which they are held. Politically 
Mr. Constable is a Republican, but is decid- 
edly liberal in his views. He has Jield many 



BIOGBAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



405 



offices of trust and honor; he has been treas- 
urer of the townsliip for fifteen years, and is 
at present a member of the boad of education. 
Mr. Constable now owns 460 acres of hmd in 
one body in Jefferson Township. 



►>4^ 




PILMOT L. BAUGHN.— Some char- 
acters are slow of development, and 
■sii^rt turn out much better than was ex- 
pected from the protnise of their cliildhood; 
and some show their metal from the very 
first, and are full-grown men and women 
while yet children in years and physical 
growth. Wilmot L. Baughn, whose history 
has suggested the preceding paragraph, was 
born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 1, 
1850, and is a son of Charles and Peucela 
(i)lue) Baughn. When he was six years old 
his parents removed to Harrison County, 
Iowa, where he was reared on a frontier farm 
and educated in the common schools, which 
were also, doubtless, frontier in chai'acter. 
During his boyhood days, when he was eleven 
or twelve years of age, he and his oldest 
brother, Harman, broke a tract of land in 
Harlan Township, Shelby County, which was 
afterward their liome. In 1806 the family 
removed to Shelby County and settled on a 
farm just north of Simoda. When William 
was fifteen years old, he and one of his 
brothers freighted to Denver with ox teams, 
carrying corn for 11 cents per pound. They 
left August 27, and returned on Thanksgiving 
Day. William L. drove two yoke of oxen 
and cooked for seven men on the trip. When 
eighteen years old lie began the task of im- 
proving a farm of eighty acres, which he 
afterward purchased, with the assistance of 
his father. Soon after he bought forty acres 
more, adjoining the corporation line of Har- 
lan. This he has improved and made addi- 



tions to it, until he has in one body 540 acres. 
Mr. Baughn also owns a farm of 240 acres in 
Jefferson Township, and one of 120 acres in 
Washington Township. In 1870 he shipped 
his first stock, driving it to Avoca for load- 
ing. In 1879 he began to ship extensively, 
and in tlie spring of 1885 made his largest 
shipment, consisting of eighteen cars, the 
proceeds amounting to $18,000. He fre- 
quently uses special trains for his shipments, 
and has always taken the lead in this branch 
of business in the couuty. Mr. Baughn was 
married September 29, 1874, to Miss Urania 
Adams, a daughter of J. H. Adams, of whom 
mention is made elsewliere in this volume. 
Mrs. Baughn is a native of Pottawattamie 
County. After their marriage tliey resided 
on their farm for one year, and then moved 
to Harlan, where Mr. Baughn opened a livery 
stable, which he managed one year. At the 
end of this time he traded the livery stable 
for a farm of 280 acres in Douglas Township, 
which he has since disposed of, and returned 
to his farm. In the fall of 1878 he himself 
husked the first 1,000 bushels of corn that 
were contracted for in Harlan. He remained 
on the farm for nearly two years, and then 
returned to Harlan. In the summer of 1882 
he erected his residence, one of the finest in 
the town, finished with all the modern im- 
provements. Mr. and Mrs. Baughn are the 
parents of two children.— Wilmot L., Jr., and 
Herbert A. Politically Mr. Baughn affili- 
ates with the Democratic party. 

»-»|->*^^*- 



fOim W. SMITH, a native of the Buck- 
eye State, was born near Cincinnati, 
November 29, 1851. He is a son of 
William and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Smith, 
and oneof a family of seven children. When 
he was two years of age his parents removed 



406 



HISTORY OF SUBLET COUNTY. 



to Jasper County, Iowa, where he passed his 
early life. He was trained in agricultural 
pursuits, and received a limited education in 
the common schools, but is qualified to trans- 
act any business that may devolve upon him. 
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, October 
21, 187i, to Miss Esther WoUard, daughter 
of James and Amanda WoUard. She was 
born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 
17, 1856, and was eight years old when her 
parents came to Iowa and settled in Jasper 
County on a farm, ■where they still reside. 
After his marriage Mr. Smith continued farm- 
ing, and in 1878 he came to Shelby County 
and settled on a farm of eighty acres of par- 
tially improved land. Here he built a small 
frame house, which he has since replaced by 
aline, large residence. He has erected build- 
ings for stock and grain, and planted a grove 
of one acre. His farm is situated in section 
2, Jefferson Township, and is a credit to the 
surrounding country, as everything looks 
thrifty and prosperous. Mr. Smith is occu- 
pied exclusively with agriculture and stock- 
raising, and stands in the front ranks of 
Shelby County's well-to-do citizens. Polit- 
ically he affiliates with the Republican party. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have fonr children — 
Frederick, Hiley (deceased), Oliver and AVill- 
iam. They are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 



~> -fe - 3 .' I - g ^ 

r>JLES REYNOLDS has been identi- 
fied with the interests of Shelby 
County, Iowa, since 1874, when he 
removed to Douglas Township. He was born 
in Wyoming County, New York, August 26, 
1817, and is the son of Nyrum and Sarah 
(Veiley) Reynolds, both natives of New York 
State. He passed his youth in his native 
State on a farm, and was educated in the 



common schwols. He is one of a family of 
eleven children, nine of whom survive. In 
the year 1868 he left New York and went to 
Illinois, spending six years in Livingston 
and Iroquois counties. He then came to 
Douglas Township, Shelby County, and lived 
for one year on a farm east of the place on 
which Kirkman now stands. He then re- 
moved to Greeley Township, where he had 
purchased eighty acres of partially improved 
land. Here he made many improvements 
and placed the farm under good cultivation. 
He made additions to the farm until he 
owned 170 acres, on which he lived for eight 
years. In 1885 he made an exchange of 
property, by which he came into possession 
of thirty-five acres in Jefferson Township. 
He added ten acres to this tract, which lies 
in the independent district of Irwin. He 
has a beautiful home. He was formerly 
occupied in buying and selling live-stock, 
and at present does some farming. Polit- 
ically he affiliates with the Democratic party. 
He has done much toward the improvement 
and advancement of the community, and is 
held in high esteem by all who know him. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge 
No. 444. He was married February, 1854, 
to Miss Jane Bennett. She was a native of 
New York, and died in 1857. Mr. Reynolds 
was married again to Miss Eva, daughter of 
E. "\Y. and Mary Irwin. She was born in 
Cambria County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 
1851. They are numbered with the reliable 
people of Shelby County. 



fAMES L. HALL is a native of Berkshire 
County, Massachusetts, born July 26, 
1837. He is the son of Alvin and 
Philantha (Yales) Hall, both natives of Mas- 
sachusetts, who afterward moved to Wiscon- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



407 



sin where they died rather early in life. When 
James L. was three years old liis parents went 
to Walworth Connty, Wisconsin, where he 
grew to manhood. He was reared to farm 
life, and received a limited education in the 
common schools; although his opportunities 
have been few he has made the most of them, 
and has qualified himself to transact any 
business that may fall to him. At the age of 
fourteen he was thrown upon his own re- 
sources, and since that time he has made his 
own way in life. Mr. Hall was united in 
marriage August 16, 1868, to Miss Emeline 
Williams, daughter of Spotford C. and Mary 
(Hastings) Williams, natives of Vermont; 
she was born in Ivutland County, May 29, 
1845. They have three children — Hattiei 
Azubah and Ida. In June, 1875, Mr. Hall 
came to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled on 
an eighty-acre tract of wild prairie in Jeff- 
erson Township. Here he has established a 
comfortable home, and has one of the best 
farms in this part of the county. He has 
.suitable buildings for stock, and has planted 
a three-acre grove. He devotes himself to 
agricultural pnrsuits, and deals extensively 
in live-stock. He has added 160 acres to his 
first purchase, and now owns 24:0 acres in a 
body. Mr. Hall has done ranch toward the 
up-building of Shelby County, and is deserv- 
ing the esteem and regard in which he is held. 
Thefirst wages he received were $10 a month, 
and from this small start he has risen to a 
position of financial independence. Politi- 
cally he athliates with the Republican party; 
he has served faithfully in the various ofiices 
in his township from the beginning of his 
residence in the county until the present time. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Lodge No. 444, and of the Farmers' Alli- 
ance. He enlisted October 1, 1861, at the 
call for men to defend this nation's flag, in 
Company F, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer 



Infantry. He was honorably discharged No- 
vember 18, 1864, having served his country 
for three years. He entered the service as a 
private, but was soon promoted to Sergeant, 
in which capacity he served most of the time. 
The most noted battles in which he partici- 
pated are Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Cor- 
inth, Lay's Ferry, Resaca, Inka, Altoona, 
Snake Creek Gap, and Atlanta. He was Avith 
Sherman on his famous march to the sea, 
and saw all there was to see, but did not feel 
all there was to feel, as he escaped without a 
single wound, and without being taken pris- 
oner. However, he endured all the privations 
incident to a soldier's life, and these are not 
few. He is a member of the G. A. R., 
Slacker Post, No. 139. 







J. SMITH was born in Canada, June 
19, 1864, and is the son of George 
** and Jane (Wadsworth) Smith, na- 
tives of Ireland. When he was two years 
old his parents removed to Mercer County, 
Illinois, where he was reared and spent his 
early life. He was trained to agricultural 
pursuits and educated in the common schools. 
When he was in his twentieth year he be- 
gan life upon his own responsibility; became 
to Shelby County and purchased a farm of 
eighty acres of improved land in Jefferson 
Township; here he remained and cultivated 
his farm until three years had passed away. 
He then traded his farm for another place in 
the same township, where he lived until 1889. 
He then exchanged his land for property, and 
established mercantile trade in partnership 
with D. AV. Clarke, in liotna. They carry a 
stock of general merchandise worth $7,000. 
They are live, energetic young men, and are 
destined to make their mark in the business 
circles of Shelby County, and the county is 



408 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



to be congratulated upon theacquisition of this 
firm. Mr. Smith was united in marriage 
March 5, 1884, to Miss Alice R., daughter of 
David and Alice (Blakely) Clarke; she was 
born in Rock Island County, Illinois, Octo- 
ber 18, 1865. They are the parents of two 
children — Alice M. and Florence M. Politi- 
cally Mr. Smith is an active Republican. D. 
W. Clarke was born in Rock Island County, 
Illinois, June 2, 1868, and is the son of 
David and Alice (Blakely) Clarke, natives of 
Ireland. He was reared in his native county 
on a farm, and was educated in the public 
schools of his own county and Cornell Col- 
lege, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. After leaving col- 
lege he went to Rotna and engaged as clerk 
for S. B. Fritz, with whom he remained three 
months, and then entered into partnership 
with his brother-in-law, W. J. Smith, they 
buying the stock of Mr. Clarke's employer. 
Messrs. Smith & Clarke are dealers in coal, 
grain and live-stock. 



«o>-.»| S • 3 > 1 ^ * 'j l*- <»l 

Ijf J. MILLER has been a resident of 
Shelby County since 1879. He is a 
" native of Indiana, born in Putnam 
County, June 14, 1843. He is a son of Rob- 
ert and Ann (Hillis) Miller, both natives of 
Kentucky. The parents were married in 
Kentucky, and located in Putnam County, 
Indiana. In 1845 they removed to Illinois, 
where they remained eighteen months and then 
came to Jones County, Iowa, where they were 
early settlers; here they entered governtnent 
land. Robert Miller died in 1866, and his 
widow resides in Harlan. T. J. Miller was 
reared a farmer, and received his education 
in the common schools. He was married 
November 3, 1872, to Miss Saniantha Taylor, 
a native of AVarren County, Indiana, whose 
parents, James and Minerva (Lindley) Tay- 



lor, were natives ,of Kentucky and Ohio re- 
spectively. Miss Taylor had taught school 
for ten years in Iowa. In 1879 T. J. Miller 
purchased 160 acres of land, partially im- 
proved, in Shelby County. He has since 
added to it until he now owns 240 acres in a 
fine state of cultivation. He has a comfort- 
able residence, a good barn, a fine grove and 
orchard, and a windmill, all indicating the 
energy and thrift of the proprietor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller are thepnrents of five children — 
Oral, Lois, Myrta R., Ray R., Hugh H. and 
Agnes J. They are members of the Christian 
church in Harlan. Mr. Miller is a member 
of the Democratic party. He is frank in 
manner, upright in business, and one of Lin- 
coln Township's best citizens. 

- — >-««i g « i M ; . | ..-«~ 




ILLIAM THOMAS is one of the 
(| enterprising and successful residents 
■£>^S of Lincoln Township. He was born 
in Germany in May, 1852, and is a son of 
Peter and Eva (Bukqiiah) Thomas, of French 
origin. "William was four years old when 
his parents emigrated to America and settled 
in Marshall County, Illinois, where they 
lived until death. Our subject was reared 
on a farm and educated in the public schools 
of Illinois. He was married in October, 
1874, to Miss Elizabeth Roth, daughter of 
Joseph and Eve (Fries) Roth. Joseph Roth 
was a native of France. William Thomas 
lived in Marshall County, Illinois, until 
1877, when he came to Shelby County and 
bouffht 160 acres of wild land. He now has 
a comfortable dwelling-house, a grove and an 
orchard, and all the equipments of cattle-rais- 
ing and feeding, to which he gives special 
attention. He is also agent for the Erie 
windmill, one of the most popular and one 
of the best makes, and is a very successful 



JiWOKAI'HIVAL SKETCHES. 



409 



salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the 
parents of si.\ children — William, Henry, 
Frank, Leo, Tillie and Joseph; they are 
members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. 
Thomas is in sympathy with the Democratic 
party. lie is genial in temperament, honor- 
able in business, and altogether one of Shelby 
County's solid citizens. 



►^^-f- 



fRANCIS PLUMB, a leading citizen of 
Lincoln Township, is a native of Eng- 
^ land, born in Lincolnshire, February C, 
1846. He is a son of William and Mary 
(Gray) Plumb, natives of England, who had 
live sons and one daughter. The father died 
in England, and the mother, with three chil- 
dren, still reside there, and three of the chil- 
dren emigrated to America. Francis was 
reared on a farm and was educated in his 
native land. For three years he worked in 
a go%'ernment ship-yard. He was married 
March 17, 1868, to Miss Grace McKinnon, 
a native of England, and a daughter of 
Peter and Grace (McClellan) McKinuon. 
Mr. Plumb and wife sailed from Liver- 
pool for New York, April 28, 1868. They 
went directly to Council Bluffs after landing, 
and from Council Bluffs to Mills County, 
where Mr. Plumb had relatives. He worked 
by the month for three years and then 
rented for four years ; he then came to 
Shelby County and bought 120 acres of wild 
land. In 1875 he settled on this land and 
has since made it his home. Mr. Plumb has 
ir.vested his surplus in land, and now owns 
360 acres. He has a good comfortable 
dwelling-house, surrounded with a fine grove, 
and a barn and yards for cattle. The farm 
is well watered, and he tnakes a specialty of 
raising and feeding cattle, in which he has 
been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Plumb 




are the parents of seven children — William V., 
John, Robert Fracis, Maggie Isabelle, Alfred 
Alonzo and Florence Grace. Lillian Grace, 
the fifth child, died September 6, 1873. Mr. 
Plumb and his wife are worthy members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, known as 
the Stevens class. Mr. Plumb is a Repub- 
lican. He is still in the prime of life, and 
although he started a poor man, by good 
management and thrift he has acquired a 
valuable property. He is one of Shelby 
County's reliable and honored citizens. 



"^ S. BISHOP is one of the early set- 
tlers of Lincoln Township. He was 
'W^'^ born November 26, 1839, in Peo- 
ria County, Illinois, and is a son of Bill 
Bishop, a native of Canada, who was five 
years old when his parents removed to New 
York. Bill Bishop fought in the war of 
1812. He was married to Deborah Bishop, 
a second cousin, and they came to Illinois in 
1832. They were among the pioneers of the 
State. They were the parents of twelve 
children, of whom M. S. is the si.xth. Our 
subject was reared on a farm and received his 
education in the common schools of Illinois. 
In 1858 the family removed to Henry County, 
Illinois. During the late civil war M. S. 
Bishop enlisted at Lincoln's call for 300,000 
men, in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H. 
He served six months and was honorably dis- 
charged, when he returned to Illinois. Mr. 
Bishop was married in P>ureau County, Illi- 
nois, December 13, 1804, to Miss Mary 
Comstock, a native of Chautauqua County, 
New York. Mr. Bisho]) came to Shelby 
County in the spring of 1870, he having 
bought 160 acres of land the previous year. 
His fartu is now one of the best improved in 



410 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



the county; he has a good two-story frame 
residence, built in modern style, a good barn, 
a windmill, a grove and an orchard. All the 
surroundings show the thrift and excellent 
management of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bishop are the parents of six children — 
Frank A., Henry N., Warren G., Mabel 
Maud, Clyde and Charles. Mr. Bishop is a 
member of the Republican party, and has 
served as township trustee and on the school 
board in a creditable manner. He has been 
elected justice of the peace four times. He 
is well-to-do in this world's goods, and is one 
of the highly respected citizens of the town- 
ship . 



4^^-^ 



fW. PAQLK is one of the most success- 
ful men in Lincoln Township. He is 
' a native of Germany, born January 12; 
1851, and a son of Christian and Lucinda 
(Piper) Paulk. He was six years old when 
his parents emigrated to America and settled 
in Morgan County, Missouri, where they 
lived until 18()5. They then removed to 
Iowa, and settled in Cedar County. J. W. 
was reared on a farm and received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. He was married 
January 28, 1873, to Miss Elvira Miller, 
who was born, reared and educated in Jones 
County, Iowa. She is a daughter of E. V. and 
Susanna (Granel) Miller, both natives of Oiiio. 
In 1874 Mr. Paulk came to Shelby County 
and bought 120 acres of unimproved land in 
section 19, where he labored and lived for 
two years and a half. He then sold the 
place and bought his present farm of Frank 
Pierce. He has made many improvements 
and placed his farm in a fine state of cultiva- 
tion. He has a comfortable house, large and 
commodious barns, and a grove and orchard 
of live acres. He now owns 360 acres of as 



fine land as'lies in Shelby County. He is 
largely engaged in stock-raising and feeding. 
Mr. Paulk and wife are the parents of five 
children — Laura Lucinda, Ida Estella, Emma 
lone, Gertrude Anna and Charles Everett. 
Mr. Paulk is a strong supporter of the Dem- 
ocratic party. He is yet in the prime of life, 
and has gained an enviable position socially 
and financially in the community. 



|HEODOEE G. ASQUITH was born in 
W- Pennsylvania, near Potts ville, May 4, 
1841. He is a son of William and 
Hannah (Arnold) Asquith, natives of York- 
shire, England, who came to Pennsylvania in 
1838. The family came to Hock Island 
County, Illinois, where the father and mother 
both died. Each had previously been mar- 
ried, and had children by the first marriage. 
Theodore was reared on a farm in Kock 
Island County, and attended Davenport Com- 
mercial College after finishing the common- 
school course. During the great Eebellion 
he went to the defense of the old flag, enlist- 
ing September 2, 1802, in the One Hundred 
and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Com- 
pany C. He was a member of tiie First 
Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army 
Corps. At Ilesaca this brigade took four 
brass cannons and other arms from the enemy, 
receiving much credit and praise for their 
gallant conduct in this battle, which occurred 
May 15, 18154. He also participated in the 
battles of Peach-Tree Creek, Burnt Hickory, 
Averysboro, North Carolina, the most dan- 
gerous battle being the one in which General 
McPherson was killed. Mr. Asquith was 
also with General Sherman from Atlanta to 
the sea and through the Carolinas, on to 
lliciimond, Virginia, and then on to Wash- 
ington, D. C, to the grand review. He was 



\ 



BIOORAPUIGAL SKETCHES. 



413 



honorably discharged June 6, 1865, and mus- 
tered out of the service at Chicago. He re- 
turned to Rock Island County, Illinois, and 
resumed farming. Mr. Asquith was united 
in marriage, February 24, 1870, to Miss 
Sarah E. Roth, a native of Northumberland 
County, Pennsylvania. AVhen she was seven 
years old her parents, Benjamin and Eliza- 
beth (Parker) Roth, came to Rock Island 
County, and later removed to Mercer County, 
Illinois. In 1881 Mr. Asquith bought his 
present home, known as the William South- 
wick farm, which is one of the best locations 
in the county. Here he has .since resided, 
and from year to year made many improve- 
ments. He has a story-and-a-half house, 
built in modern style, a good barn, a fine 
grove of five acres, and one of the best 
orchards in the county. He showed eigliteen 
varieties of apples and crabs at the county 
fair, which is a very fine showing for a com- 
paratively new country. Mr. Asquitii and 
wife have eight children — Benjamin S., Oli- 
ver JSf., Lena Mabel, Elizabeth E., Winfield, 
Guy Theodore, Edith Flora and Alma L. 
Mr. Asquith casts his vote with the Republi- 
can party. lie has served on the school 
board, and is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He takes a deep interest 
in educational and religious affairs. Mr. 
Asquith is also a strong temperance man, 
and believes in prohibition. 



►^^4^ 



fOHN T. BURKE was born June 13, 1811, 
in Greensburg, Decatur County, Indiana. 
His parents were Henry S. and Darinda 
(Spilman) Burke, natives of the Blue Grass 
State. His youthful days were passed like 
those of most farm boys, in becoming familiar 
with farm work and attending the common 
schools. Upon reaching his majority and 



having an ambition beyond that of his coun- 
try associates, he took a l)usiness course at 
Purdy's Commercial College in Indianapolis; 
there his desire to engage in something dif- 
ferent from farming was strengthened, and 
upon completing his education in 1865 he 
engaged in the mercantile lumber, grain and 
coal business at "Wolcott, Indiana. At the 
end of one and a half years he returned to 
farm life and stock-shipping, and after 
one season at "Wulcott determined to seek a 
home in the west. Accordingly, in 1868 he 
came to Monona County, Iowa, near Charter 
Oak, where he was farmingandshippingstock. 
In 1880 he identified himself with Shelby 
County, securing at that time 120 acres of 
land three miles north of Harlan, on the 
Nishnabotna River. His farm now consists 
of over 400 acres, and is one of the most de- 
sirable in the county, being largely made up 
of bottom lands; a group of four or five ex- 
cellent springs afibrds an abundant supply of 
water, which is forced to points where it is 
needed by hydraulic pi'essure, he having the 
finest waterarrangementofanyfarm in Shelby 
County. Being so well adapted to stock- 
raising, Mr. Burke has availed himself of its 
natural advantages, and is prominent as a 
breeder of fine stock. Mr. Burke has not 
contented himself with managing liis farm, 
but has been engaged in buying and shipping 
live-stock and grain from Kirkman since 1883. 
His grain shipments annually amount to about 
400 cars, and he is one of the largest live- 
stock shippers in the county. Like most 
men, Mr. Burke has had some rouffh sailinar, 
but his is not the material easily conquered, 
and, Phoenix like, he rises from his defeats, 
and, like Banquo's ghost, " will not down." 
Mr. Burke was married at Wolcott, Indi- 
ana, June 28, 1866, to Miss Clara J. Hardy, 
daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Guss) 
Hardy; she was born in Pennsylvania, July 



411 



HISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



7, 1847, and is a lady of culture and re- 
lineinent. She and her daughter Ida are 
respected members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church of Harlan. Their family con- 
sists of nine children — Clayton H., the 
efficient and gentlemanly deputy county 
treasurer; Ida D., Elizabeth G., Haslet P., 
Christopher F., Alice, Cora, Amy and John 
W. Politically Mr. Burke trains with the 
Democrats. He is a member of Parian Lodge, 
Ko. 321, A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chapter, No. 
107, and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49. 
Mr. Burke saw a short war service during the 
famous Morgan raid across the Ohio River. 
He enlisted at Wolcott, Indiana, in a regi- 
ment raised by Colonel Gavin, who had been 
wounded at Bull Run, was mustered in at 
Indianapolis, and immediately started in pur- 
suit of Morgan, who tied into Kentucky. After 
a service of forty days he was mustered out 
at Indianapolis. 



--V^>f-i— 

lELMER F. MURFIELD,of SpringHill 
Stock Farm, has been identitied with 
the interests of Shelby County since 
1873. He is a native of the Buckeye State, 
born in Marysville, Union County, February 
4, 1849. He is a son of J. S. and Elizabeth 
(Bancroft) Murfield, natives of Ohio. When 
D. F. was yet in infancy the parents moved to 
Jones County, Iowa, being among the earliest 
settlers; here they resided until deatli. Our 
subject was reared on a farm, and received his 
education in the common schools. He was 
married June 2, 1870, to Miss Martha Biggart, 
a daughter of Archibald and Caroline (Siioop) 
Biwwart, natives of Ohio; Mrs. Murfield was 
born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and was 
brought to Iowa when four years of age; her 
mother died in 1887, and her father still lives 
in Jones County. As before mentioned, Mr. 



Murfield came to Shelby County in 1878; his 
first purchase was forty acres of wild land 
in Lincoln Township, on which he resided 
until 1844, when he moved to his present place. 
He bought more land in section 24, and has 
added to it as his means increased, until he 
now owns 240 acres of Shelby County's best 
soil; he has made all the improvements 
necessary to a good stock farm. He was one 
of the first settlers, there being only one house 
between his home and Harlan. Mr. and Mrs. 
Murfield are the parents of eight children — 
Joshua E., Clem, Perrj', Ida Belle, Bessie, 
Guy, Roy and Gilbert. Mr. Murfield's par- 
ents were members of the Christian church, 
and he was reared \\\ this influence. Mrs. 
Murfield is a member of the Christian church. 
Politically Mr. Murfield affiliates with the 
Democratic party. He devotes most of his 
energies to stock-raising, giving special atten- 
tion to pure breeds of swine and thorough- 
bred cattle; he was one of the first in the 
township to engage in this industry, and he 
has been very successful. Mr. Murfield can 
be relied upon as one of tiie solid men of 
Shelby County. 

fP. MILLER, proprietor of Bull Rnu 
Stock Farm, has been identified with 
* the interests of Lincoln Township since 
1872. He is a native of Jones County, Iowa, 
born April 22, 1851, and is a son of G. W. 
and Sophia (Pence) Miller, natives of Fair- 
field County, Ohio. G. "W. Miller and wife 
are pioneers of Jones County, having come 
there ..bout the year 1840; they still reside 
in Jones County. J. P. Miller was brought 
up on a farm, and received his earlier edu- 
cation in the coinmon schools. He remained 
in Jones County until 1872 when he came to 
Shelby County, and settled on eighty acres of 



BIOOHAPHICAL SKETCEES. 



415 



wild land, where he has since made his home, 
lie has gradually improved the place and has 
invested his surplus means in land; he now 
owns.2i0 acres, ICO being in the home place, 
and eighty in section 14-, Lincoln Township. 
He has a pleasant house, a barn 64 x 70 feet, 
with a capacity for 150 head of cattle, and 
135 tons of hay. lie has every convenience 
for handling stock, of which he makes a spe- 
cialty. He is a stockholder in the Harlan 
Live Stock Association. For ten years Mr. 
Miller has made a specialty of Poland -China 
swine, and has been very successful in this 
work; he has also had unusual success in 
breeding short-horn cattle. Mr. Miller was 
united in marriage December 25, 1875, to 
Miss Flora J. Bothwell, a daughter of John 
Bothwell. They are the parents of five chil- 
dren — George E., Lillie May, Leona S., Gro- 
ver P. and Chauucey Brady. Mr. Miller ie 
a strong adherent of the Democratic party, 
and was the choice of his party for county 
recorder in 1881, but his party was in the 
minority. He is a member of the Masonic 
order, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chap- 
ter, No. 107; Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49. 
He is yet in the prime of life, and already 
has an enviable position socially, politically 
and financially in the county. 



' 3 " £ ' | '« 



?T. WPJGHT has been identified with 
the interests of Lincoln Township since 
* May, 1875. He was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Lidiana, June 25, 1845, and 
is a son of Robert E. and Elizabeth (Evans) 
Wright. Iiobert E. Wright was a native of 
Virginia, and came to Indiana when a boy; 
here he grew to manhood, and married Eliza- 
beth Evans, a native of Virginia; they re- 
sided in Indiana until 1856, when they 
removed to Eock Island County, Illinois. Our 



subject was one of eleven children, three sons 
and eight daughters. He was reared on a 
farm, and educated in the common schools. 
He lived in Rock Island County, Illinois, 
until the spring of 1875, when he came to 
Shelby County and bought 160 acres of prai- 
rie land. Here he has since made his home, 
and improved his laud until he has one of the 
best farms in the neighborhood ; he has a 
comfortable dwelling, a large barn for stock 
and hay, and everything conveniently ar- 
ranged for general farming purposes. He 
makes a specialty of stock-raising, and has 
some fine specimens of draft horses on his 
farm. Silver Creek runs through his place, 
furnishing an abundance of water for stock. 
The farm lies three miles from Harlan. Mr. 
Wright was married December 23, 1875, to 
Miss J. M. Curtis, of Jackson County, Iowa, 
a daughter of A. T. and Mary L. (Roper) 
Curtis. Mrs. Wright was a teacher for several 
years previous to her marriage; she was born 
in Ohio, and educated iu Rock Island County, 
Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents 
of four children — Mamie B., Luella, Jennie 
and Ahna. Mr. Wright is a Republican, and 
has served as township clerk for eight years, 
and for five years has served as secretary of 
the school board. He is a man well informed, 
cordial in his disposition, honorable in busi- 
ness, and one of Shelby County's representa- 
tive men. 



F. KOHL, of Lincoln Township, is one 
of the representative farmers of Shelby 
® County. He is a native of Berks 
County, Pennsylvania, born February 7, 1845,' 
and is a son of William and Hannah (Fid- 
dei'ling) Kohl, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
In 1855 the family removed to Jones County, 
Iowa. S. F. was reared a farmer, and received 



416 



UISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



his education in the common schools of the 
county. During the late civil war he went 
to his country's defense, enlisting in June, 
1863, in the Eiglith Iowa Cavalry, and served 
two years; he participated in tlie battle of 
Dalton, Georgia, the campaign of Atlanta, 
returned to the north with General Thomas 
to Nashville and started with General Wil- 
son's cavalry toops through Alabama, then 
was ordered to Macon, Georgia; he was hon- 
orably discharged at Macon, Georgia. After 
the war he returned to Jones County, and 
December 17, 1867, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Louisa Grimm, a native of 
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Abraham and Maria (Guise) 
Grimm, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1869 
Mr. Kohl removed to Iowa County where he 
resided until 1877, when he came to Shelby 
County. Here he bought his present farm of 
J. W. Paulk, which is one of the best in the 
township; he has a good house, a barn, a 
grove and an orchard. The farm contains 
160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl are the parents 
of nine children — Albert B., Lewis F., Uosa 
J., Kitty Ann, Charles O., William Henry, 
Emma May, Wilbur F. and Francis D. Mr. 
Kohl is a Republican, and a member of the 
G. A. E., No. 197, Harlan. He is a member 
of the Evangelical church. He takes an act- 
ive part in the religious and educational 
enterprises of the county. 



y. KOHL is one of the enterprising 
and successful men of Lincoln Town- 
^'^ ship. He was born in Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1849, and 
is a son of William and Hannah (Fidderling) 
Kohl. When our subject was si.\ years of 
age the family removed to Jones County, 
Iowa. Here he grew to manhood. He was 



reared on a fafm, and received his education 
in the public schools of the county. Mr. 
Kohl was united in marriage, March 13,1879, 
to Miss Mary Schrope, a native of Schuylkill 
County, Pennsylvania, and a dangiiter of 
William and Susan (Shick) Schrope, natives 
of Pennsylvania. They resided in Jones 
County until 1880, when they came to Shelby 
County, and Mr. Kohl bought 160 acres of 
partially improved land. He now owns 2J:0 
acres of land, on which he has made many 
improvements. He has a comfortable dwell- 
ing, a good barn, a grove and an orchard, 
all bespeaking the thrift and wise manage- 
ment of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl are 
the parents of four children — William, Eva 
Essie, Josie May and Morris Lewis. Mr. 
Kohl is a strong supporter of the Republican 
party. He is a member of the Evangelical 
church. Although he is yet a young man, 
he has won a good position in the community 
and is one of Lincoln Townshi])"s representa- 
tive citizens. 

•°*^' | ' 2"! ' |" "'~ 



;i?^EORGE D. KOHL has been a citizen 
^— of Shelby County since 1878. He was 
born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, 
January 31, 1851, and is a son of William 
and Susan H. (Fidderling) Kohl, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. 
George D. was but four years old when his 
parents removed from their native State to 
Jones County, Iowa, where he grew to 
maturity. He was reared to that most in- 
dependent occupation, farming, and was edu- 
cated in that school which this country 
provides for all her children, the common 
public school. Mr. Kohl was married in 
Jones County, in March, 1875, to Miss Susan 
Bittle, a daughter of John Bittle, of Penn- 
sylvania, now a resident of Iowa. On coming 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



417 



to Shelby County Mr. Kohl settled in Cass 
Township, where he resided until 1881, when 
he came to his present farm. Some of the 
hind was broken, but there were no improve- 
ments in the way of buildings. He has since 
erected a good house, planted a grove and 
orchard, and fenced the place. He devotes 

his time to live-stock raisins and the culti va- 
cs 

tion of grain. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl are the 
parents of nine children — Carrie May, Ella 
Jane, Ina Viola, Gertrude Mabel, George R., 
Christopher Henry, Irvin Edwin, Pearl Ada- 
line and Sarah Anna. Mr. Kohl gives his 
political support to the Democratic party. 
He and his wife are members of the Evan- 
gelical church. Mr. Kohl is strictly honor- 
able in business, his word being as good as 
his bond, and he is counted among the relia- 
ble citizens of Shelby County. 



^ A. ESCHER, of Pleasant Ridge Farm, 
Lincoln Township, is anotlier of the 
I ® responsible men of this county, for 
whom we are indebted to Germany, where he 
was born October 3, 1851. He is a son of 
John M. and Martha (Riesland) Escher, and 
was but twelve months old when his parents 
emigrated to America and settled in Berks 
County, Pennsylvania. Here he was reared 
and educated. In 1866 his parents came to 
Iowa. The mother died at Lisbon, Iowa, in 
1887, and the father still resides there. They 
were the parents of three children — Charles, 
of Harlan; Minnie, wife of S. P. Meyers, 
and H. A., the subject of this sketch. Mr. 
Escher was united in marriage, March 20, 
1873, to Miss Romancy Granel, of Jones 
County, a daughter of Simon and Rhoda 
(Miller) Granel, who were formerly from 
Ohio. Our subject was engaged in farming 
in Jones County until 1875, when he came 



to Lincoln Township, Shelby County, where 
he had formerly purchased eighty acres of 
land. This was wild and unimproved, but 
he put it under a fine state of cultivation and 
made many improvements, and added 120 
acres, which made a farm of 200 jvcres. He 
sold this place in 1884, and bought his 
present home from his brother, Charles 
Escher. This farm is one of the best in the 
township, and contains 240 acres. In 1876 
Mr. Escher erected a residence at a cost of 
$2,200. There is a beautitul lawn adjoining, 
and ornamental trees add very much to the 
attractiveness of the jilace. There are two 
large barns, affording abundance of room for 
stock, grain and hay. There is also a wind- 
mill, furnishing water to the dwelling and 
barns. Mr. Escher devotes his time to stock- 
raising and feeding, making a specialty of 
high grades, which he sends to the markets 
at an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Escher have 
six children — Frankie C, Elsie E., Minnie 
L., Mabel Maud, Myrtle Romancy and Her- 
bert Ernest. Mr. Escher is a Democrat, and 
an active worker in his party. He has served 
as township trustee and as a member of the 
school board. He and his wife are members 
of the Evangelical church. Mr. Escher is 
yet in the prime of life, of a genial disposi- 
tion, honorable in his dealings, and has won 
a position in the county of which any man 
might well be proud. 



»i > « S i ' S ' A" "-*" 



ANIEL WILSON has been identified 
with the interests of Shelby County, 
Iowa, since 1882, when his residence 
in the State began. He is a native of New 
York, and was born in Oneida County, Au- 
gust 15, 1818. He is son of John and Jeru- 
sha (Dunbar) Wilson, both natives of Con- 
necticut. The mother's parents removed to 



418 



U I STORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Oneida County wlien she was a child. The 
parents of the father settled in the western 
part of the county in the heavy timber dis- 
trict, where our subject grew to manhood. 
He passed his youth in assisting to clear the 
land and in attending the conimon schools. 
Mr. Wilson was united in marriage October 
2G, 1842, in Oneida County, to Miss Jane 
Ann Crawford, a native of Cavan County, 
Arva, Ireland. She was born April 16, 
1823, and is a daughter of Andrew and Isa- 
belle (Armstrong) Crawford, who emigrated 
to America when she was seven years old. 
They settled in Oneida County, where Mrs. 
Wilson was reared and educated. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson removed to Shelby County in 
1882, where they have three sons residing. 
Mr. Wilson bought 120 acres of land in sec- 
tion 1, Lincoln Township, which was under 
cultivation, but to which he has added many 
improvements; he has a comfortable dwell- 
ing, a barn for stock and grain, and all nec- 
cessary conveniences. The farm lies two 
miles northwest from Harlan. Mr. Wilson 
and wife have three sons living, all residing 
in Lincoln Township— John W., Daniel A. 
and Charles H. The oldest son, Andrew W., 
one of the earl}' settlers of the township, died 
November 20, 1887, leaving a widow and 
three children. He was an honored and re- 
spected citizen, and his death was deeply 
regretted by all who knew him. Politically 
Daniel Wilson casts his suffrage with the 
Ivepublican party, as also do his three sons. 
He and his wife have been worthy and con- 
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church for nearly half a century. When liv- 
ing in the east he was an active worker in the 
church, serving many years as class-leader 
and as Sabbath-school superintendent. His 
two sons, Daniel A. and Charles IL, are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Mr. Daniel Wilson is one of the represent- 



ative men of Shelby County, and has shown 
such business qualities and fine social traits 
that he has won and kept many friends in 
the home of his adoption. 

— — 1 - 3 .. ; . ^ ..^ — 



LEXANDEK MAXWELL is the able 
and efficient superintendent of the poor 
■iff- farm of Shelby County, Iowa. He 
was born in Scotland, near Glasgow, Jan- 
uary 12, 1842. He is a son of John and 
Jenette (Cunningham) Maxwell. He was 
thirteen years old when thefamil}' emigrated 
to America and settled in Whiteside County, 
Illinois; here he worked on a farm and at- 
tended school. .Mr. Maxwell was married 
August 27, 1863, to Miss Sarah Ann Swit- 
zer, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn- 
syh-ania, and a daughter of William and 
Katie (Schauley) Switzer, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, who removed to Lee County, Illinois, 
when Sarah was twelve years of age. Mr. 
Maxwell resided in Whiteside County until 
1866, when he removed to Jones County, 
Iowa; here he lived until 1874, when lie 
moved to Shelby County and settled on a 
farm two miles west of Harlan. He lived on 
this place seven years and then sold it, going 
to Grove Townshi]i, where he had bought a 
farm of 200 acres. This land was partially 
improved, and Mr. Maxwell continued to 
make improvements until 1886, when he was 
appointed to the superintendency of the 
Shelby County Poor Farm. He has made a 
faithful officer, attending with the strictest 
fidelity to the smallest details of the business. 
Everything is in excellent condition, and re- 
flects credit upon the officer in charge as well 
as upon the people of Shelby County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Maxwell are the parents of nine 
children — Jane, William, Frank, Nettie, 
Alexander, Sarah, Ed, Estella and Archi- 




M^ 



'r-e.^t/^-vy 




V 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



431 



bald. Politically Mr. Maxwell casts bis vote 
vvitb tlie Democratic party. He is a member 
of tbe A. F. 6z. A. M., Parian Lodge, JS'o.321. 



^aEWIS WATTERBURY is one of tbe 
Aw'fi prominent early settlers of tbe county 
=5F^ in whicb be bas lived since July, 1853. 
He was born in Onondaga County, New 
York, December 9, 1838. He is a son of Ste- 
pben Watterbury, a well-known pioneer of tbe 
townsliip. Our subject was a lad of eigbt 
years wben bis fatber came to tiiis country. 
Iowa was tben a Territory. Tbey lived tbree 
years in Jackson and Jones counties; tbey 
tben went to Clayton County, Iowa, wbere 
tbey lived until 1853, wben tbey came to 
tbis county, Fairview Townsliip, section 17. 
There were only four families in tbe town- 
sbip. Lewis was tben iifteen years old; be 
was reared as a farmer, assisting to improve 
tbe homestead, where he grew to manhood. 
His education was received in the common 
schools. Mr. Watterbury was married No- 
vember 4, 1860, to Miss Rachel Watson, a 
daughter of Abram Watson, a pioneer of tbe 
county, now a resident of Oakland, Iowa. 
Mrs. Rachel Watterbury died March 21, 
1862. Mr. Watterbury was again married 
June 11, 1863, to Miss Catharine Custer, 
daugliter of Henry Custer, whose sketch 
appears on another page of this volume. By 
- this union six children were born — Eliza- 
beth, wife of Jesse McCoy, of Nebraska; 
Grant, El ma, Elmer, Charles and Isabella 
(deceased). The mother of these children 
died in September, 1875. Mr. Watterljury 
married his present wife December 21, 1879. 
She was Mrs. Susan Gi-een, a daughter of 
Jaijbetb and Eliza (Gates) Brown, born in 
Clermont (county, Oiiio, and roared in Liv- 
ingston County, Illinois. Air. Watterbury 



improved a farm of 100 acres in section 16, 
which be sold in 1881, and bought 240 acres 
of wild land where he now lives. He has 
made many improvements; has a good frame 
bouse, buildings for stock and grain, and 
everything conveniently arranged for farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He is a Republican, 
and cast bis first vote for Lincoln in 1860. 
He has served as township trustee, assessor, 
and as county supervisor for three years, 
filling these ofhceswitii entire satisfaction to 
the public. He is a member of the Masonic 
order, Parian Lodge, of Harlan ; and is also a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, Carthage 
Lodge. He is president of the Anti-horse- 
tbief Association of Fairview Township, and 
has been for several years. lie has ever 
taken an active and prominent part in poli- 
tics and all public enterprises. He is a man 
yet in the prime of life, and lias the respect 
and confidence of all who know him. 



■ g ' 2 " I - 



H. LOUIS has been identified with tbe 
interests of Lincoln Township since 
1886. He is a native of Snyder 
County, Pennsylvania, born November 21, 
1841, and is a son of Jacob Louis, who was 
born in France and reared in Pennsylvania. 
When a youth our sul)ject went to Milwau- 
kee, Wisconsin, where he remained throe 
years. He received his education in tbe 
common schools of Pennsylvania and in tbe 
Milwaukee Academy. During tbe late civil 
war be enlisted in August, 1862, in the 
One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served 
one year. He took an active part at South 
Mountain, Antietam, and was wounded at 
Fredericksburg and discharged on account of 
disability. Later be recruited a company for 
tiie Seventy-fourth I'ennsylvania Volunteer 



432 



HISTOIiY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Infantry, Company D, and served as First 
Lieutenant, latei- Adjutant, and finally Captain 
of Company C. He served until the close of 
the war, his regiment being in Virginia most 
of the time. After the close of the war he 
lived in Logansport, Indiana, for a time, and 
in 1866 came to Shelby County, settling 
near Cuppy's Grove. Reengaged in farming 
and school-teaching. While living here he 
was elected county supervisor under the old 
law (one from each township), and was one 
of the first elected under the new law (three 
in the county). He was elected county au- 
ditor in the fall of 1871 and served four 
years. In 1S76 he settled on a farm in Lin- 
coln Township, where he lived si.x mouths; he 
then moved on the land now owned by Moses 
Hoskins, making many improvements. In 
1882 he bought his present farm from M. 
K. Campbell, which contained 160 acres; he 
owns 140 acres adjoining this tract, so his 
home-farm contains 300 acres of land. It is 
one of the best improved places in the town- 
ship, and is known as Pine Grove Farm. 
There is a good two-story frame residence 
surrounded with evergreen and pine trees; 
there is a large barn, a windmill and all the 
equipments of systematic farming. Mr. Louis 
makes a specialty of stock-feeding and raising. 
His official career has been marked with 
good judgment, and he has served with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to the public. 
Folitically he affiliates with the Democratic 
party. He is a member of Parian Lodge, 
No. 321, A. F. & A. M.; Mt. Zion Com- 
niandery. No. 49, and Olivet Chapter, No. 
107: he is one of the charter members of the 
Blue lodge; he is a charter member of the 
G. A. R., Harlan Post, and was the second 
post commander. Mr. Louis was married Jan- 
uary 22, 1873, to Miss Fannie B. Fetter, of 
Pottawattamie County, a daughter of J. L. 
Fetter, l^fr. and Mrs. Louis are the parents 



of three childrea — John J., Fred a-id Annie. 
No man has been more prominent in the liis- 
tory of the county than J. 11. Louis, and none 
have contributed more to the growth and 
prosperity than he. 



"^■ g ':":.>-^ 



.jjHILLIP SCHAFER, proprietor of agro- 
eery store on the cast side of the public 
^ square, established himself in business 
January 1, 1889. lie has identified himself 
with the interests of Shelby County since 
1869, at which time his residence there be- 
gan. Mr. Schafer is an American only by 
adoption, having been born in Germany, De- 
cember 14, 1841. He is the son of John 
and Charlotte H. Schafer, who emigrated to 
America when Phillip was a youth of fifteen 
years. He attended school in his native 
country, which is noted the world over for its 
fine system of education, until he was four- 
teen years old. On emigrating to America 
his parents settled in Holmes County, Ohio, 
and there he grew to manhood and learned 
the carpenter's trade. Mi". Schafer was united 
in marriage in Holmes County, Ohio, Febru- 
ary 11, 1864, to Miss Mary Ann Baker, a 
native of Holmes County, and a daughter of 
Samuel and Sarah Baker. The same year 
Mr. and Mrs. Schafer removed to Elkhart 
County, Indiana, remaining there five years. 
At the end of that time they came to SheII)v 
Countj^ Iowa, and settled on section 35, Har- 
lan Township. Their farm consisted of eighty 
acres of wild land; as soon as possible Mr. 
Schafer had this under cultivation, and added 
many improvements to the place. Since his 
residence in Harlan he rents this place. He 
is an adherent to the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party. He and his wife are members 
of the Baptist church. They are the parents 
of five children — Henry, Elizal)eth, Ellen, 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



423 



Charlotte and John. Mr. Schafer is a thor- 
ough-going, rclial>le business man, and worthy 
the respect of his neiglibors and friends. 



^HAELES H. PAULK, of Lincoln Town- 
ship, has been identified with the inter- 
ests of Shelby County since 1876. He 
is a native of Germany, born November 15, 
1851, and is a son of Christ and Lucinda 
Paulk. He was three or four years old when 
his parents emigrated to America and settled 
in Morgan County, Missouri. Here the family 
resided in peace and contentment until 1865 
when they were obliged to leave on account 
of the molestations of the rebels; they came 
to Cedar County, Iowa, where Charles H. 
grew to manhood. He was reared on a farm 
and attended the public schools. In 1875 he 
bought 120 acres of land in Lincoln Town- 
ship, upon which he settled in 1876; the land 
was wild and without any improvements. In 
1877 he added to his first purchase forty 
acres, and now owns 160 acres of as good 
land as Shelby County affords. He has a 
good residence, pleasantly situated, a large 
barn, and a windmill. Mr. Paulk pays espe- 
cial attention to raising high grades of live- 
stock, and is a success in this industry. His 
farm is three miles west from Harlan. Po- 
litically Mr. Paulk is a Republican. He is a 
genial bachelor, honorable in business, and one 
of the leading citizens of Lincoln Township. 



SERDINAND VERING is a well-known 
citizen of Lincoln Township. Likemany 
.^ of our most successful farmers, Mr. 
Vering was born in Germany; his birthday 
was Septemlier 6, 1853, and he is a son of 
Henry and Elizabetli (Dirkmann) Vering. 



He attended school until he was fourteen 
years of age, and from that time until he was 
nineteen years old he worked on a farm. He 
sailed from Bremen on the steamer Strasburg 
and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana; thence 
he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to 
Menard, Illinois, where he engaged to work 
on a farm by the month. Here he remained 
until he came to Shelby County, Iowa, in 
1878. He first bought 160 acres of land, 
but he has improved and added to this until 
be now has 240 acres in a fine state of culti- 
vation. He has a good residence surrounded 
with shade trees, buildings for stock and 
grain, stock-j'ard, stock scales, and all conven- 
iences for stock-raising and feedingf. Mr. 
Vering was united in marriage in June, 1881, 
to Miss Cynthia Rau, of Shelby County, Iowa; 
she was born in Clayton County, Iowa, and 
is a daughter of Anton and Mary (Eberhardt) 
Rau. Mr. Vering and wife have five chil- 
dren — Katie, Joseph, Mary, Anna and Anton. 
Mr. Vering is a member of the Democratic 
party; he has served on the school board and 
has always taken an active interest in the re- 
ligious and educational advancement of the 
county. The family are members of the 
Roman Catholic church. 



R. LEWIS DISBROW FROST, the 
pioneer druggist of Harlan, has been 
engaged in the business since 1863. He 
was born in Morrow County, Bennington 
Township, Ohio, August 23, 1834, and is the 
son of James and Laura (Knapp) Frost, na- 
tives of the State of New York. The Doctor 
was reared and educated in his native county. 
He was born with a natural gift in healing, 
and has always been very successful; he is 
])ossesscd of a strong and robust constitution 
which has l)een of great use to him in his 



iU 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



practice. In the beginning of the great re- 
bellion he enlisted in a home company in 1861. 
As early as 1854 Dr. Frost located in Guthrie 
County, Iowa, and was there engaged in the 
drug business until he came to Harlan in 
1863. Since his residence in the last-named 
place he has had a large practice and a good 
trade; his store is on the south side of the 
public square, and a large stock of drugs aud 
j)atent medicines can always be found there- 
Doctor Frost was united in marriage in Mor- 
row County, Ohio, May 19, 1854, to Lydia 
Jane Babcock. He is a member of the Har- 
lan Lodge, I. O. O. F., Xo. 267. 



► ^ nS'l"^ 



rILLIAM ROBERTS has been iden- 
,,, ,Ji' tified with the interests of Harlan 
l^'S^S^ Township since 1878. He was born 
at Dumfries Bridge, Yorkshire, England, 
November 3, 1844, and is a son of Joseph and 
Hannah H. Roberts, honest, hard-working, 
Yorkshire people. "When old enough Will- 
iam went to work in a cotton factory, where 
he was employed several years. In 1870 he 
left his native land and came to America, in 
company wiih his brother Benjamin; they 
came directly to Shelby County, wliere they 
had an acquaintance, J. W. Chatburn, a 
miller. William worked for Mr. Chatburn for 
fourteen months, and then went to Massachu- 
setts, where he found employment at his old 
trade in a cotton factory; here he remained 
five years, and saving his money, made pay- 
ments on land thathchad purchased in Shelby 
County. In 1875 he made a trip to England, 
and remained there for two years, at the end 
of which time he came back to Shelby County. 
In 1881 he settled on his present home place, 
where he owns 160 acres of good land, one 
and one-half miles from Harlan. The laud is 
well adapted to the raising of stock and grain, 



which pursuits M^- Roberts is engaged in. 
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage May 13, 
1866, to Miss Hannah Stock, a native of York- 
shire, England, and a daughter of George and 
Mary Stock. By this union six children were 
born, iiveof whom are living — William, Ben- 
jamin, Nelly, Lucy and Charles. Sarah Maj' 
died at the age of ten months and fifteen days. 
Mr. Roberts was greatly bereaved by the death 
of his wife, which occurred February 26, 1888; 
she was a loving wife and a fond mother, and a 
consistent member of the Latter Day Saints 
church. Mr. Roberts is yet in his best years, 
and is an honest, industrious man; although 
he has seen trouble, he has done the best he 
could for himself and children. He is one of 
the highly respected menof the community. 



• i > < : ■%>■ 



fAMES JORGEXSON is a member of the 
firm of Sonneland, nammer& Company, 
dealers in general goods, Harlan. He was 
born in Denmark, October 8, 1854, and is the 
son of Peter and Christina (Jensen) Jorg- 
enson. Until fourteen years old he attended 
school in his nativecountry, and there acquired 
a good education. After leaving school he 
worked on his father's farm until lie was 
nineteen years old, when he sailed from Co- 
penhagen for New York, making the voyage 
in eighteen days; on arriving at New York he 
came directly to Harlan, Iowa. For three 
years he worked on a farm, and at the end of 
that time he obtained a situation with Eida- 
miller Brothers, as clerk in their general dry- 
goods store. Mr. Jorgenson held this position 
until Eidamiller Brothers sold out their busi- 
ness; he then entered into partnership with 
Mr. Sonneland and Mr. Hammer, and they 
have established themselves in business under 
the firm name of Sonneland, Hammer & Com- 
pany. They carry a large stock of dry goods, 








/O 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



427 



boots, shoes, staple and fancy groceries, and 
are popular young business men. Mr. Jorg- 
enson, like many of his countrymen, has 
found a prosperous and pleasant home in the 
new world, and a chance to further his busi- 
ness and social interests. 



fOSEPH H. KLTHL, of Union Township, 
is one of the many leading and thor- 
oughly reliable citizens of Shelby County, 
Iowa, whose ancestors came from Germany. 
His parents, Mathias H. and Margarette (Gla- 
son) Kuhl, are natives of the Rhine country, 
Germany. Mathias H. was brought up on 
a farm, and follows this occupation at the 
present time in Mills County, Iowa. When 
he had been married one year, he and his 
wife emigrated to America, the land whither 
so many ambitious sons and daughters of the 
Fatherland had gone. They are the parents 
of nine children, of whom Joseph H. is the 
oldest. He was born in Fond du Lac County, 
Wisconsin, December 20, 1846, and passed 
his youth in the midst of agricultural indus- 
tries. His education was begun in the com- 
mon schools, and would have been extremely 
limited had it ended there. Without any in- 
structor after he had left school he mastered 
the reading and writing of the German lan- 
guage, and in every way possible supple- 
mented tlie narrow opportunities afforded 
him in his youth. At the age of seventeen 
years he made a trip across tlie mountains 
with a herd of cattle, and at the early age of 
thirteen years he embarked in the threshing 
business, which he followed almost every 
season for fifteen years. Mr. Kuhl was united 
in marriage, January 9, 1870, to Miss Mary 
Finken, daughter of Mathias and Kathrina 
(Gans) Finken, natives of Germany, who 
came to America in 1865. Mrs. Kuhl is 



also a native of Germany. After his mar- 
riaf^e Mr. Kuhl rented a farm in Mills 
County, Iowa, and began a record in his own 
name. His capital was not wholly tangible, 
being a large supply of pluck, energy and 
determination; but these are important fac. 
tors in any enterprise, and have not proven 
worthless in Mr. Kuhl's experience. For 
two years he remained in Mills County, and 
in 1873 he came to Shelby County and set. 
tied on eighty acres of wild land in West- 
phalia Township, in which place he was one 
of the first colonists. In 1882 he sold his 
farm, then consisting of 160 acres under 
good cultivation, and bought 160 acres in 
Union Township, which has ever since been 
his residence. He has placed this land under 
cultivation and made many improvements, 
having erected a fine two-story frame house, 
and the buildings necessary for the storage of 
grain and the 'protection of live-stock. He 
has planted eight acres of grove, and has 
thus done his share in the advancement of 
forestry in the treeless prairies. Mr. Kuhl 
was one of the prime movers in the organiza- 
tion of Westphalia Township, and in the 
estaV)lishment of the Westphalia Colony, one 
of the most prosperous German institutions 
in western Iowa. He was the first postmas- 
ter of Westphalia, and was the first postmas- 
ter at Earling. He still holds this position 
at Earling, and on first coining to the place 
he was engaged in buying and selling of 
grain in connection with his farming inter- 
ests. For some years he was in ])artnersliip 
with his brother Peter in the hardware busi- 
ness, but since January, 1888, he has devoted 
himself to his farming, the postottice, and 
the agency of the Milwaukee Land Company. 
He has charge of the company's lands from 
Council Bluffs to Manning, and has been a 
most profitaljle employe. He was largely in, 
strumental in the rapid growth of the town 



428 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of Manilla, and has ever served the coinpanj 
to their best interests. He was elected to the 
office of county supervisor in the fall of 1881, 
and served until 1888, with honor to himself 
and perfect satisfaction to his constituents. 
He has represented his township in its vari- 
ous offices almost from the beginning of his 
residence within its borders. Politically he 
affiliates with tlie Democratic party, being 
one of the political leaders of the county. He 
owns 187 acres of land in the county. Mr. 
Kuhl is a self-made man, affiible, courteous 
and public-spirited. For integrity of charac- 
ter and upright dealing he has no superior in 
the community. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhl are the 
parents of seven children — Kathrina, Nicho- 
las B., John M., Mary A., Michael H., Ed- 
ward N. and Anna. 



fEORGE S. BARR, a native of Wash- 
ington County, Pennsylvania, was born 
December 4, 1829, and is the son of 
James and Mary (Helt) Barr, natives of 
Pennsylvania. When George S. was ten 
years of age he came with his parents to 
Kno.x County, Ohio, or what is now Morrow 
County; here he was reared to farm-life and 
received his education in the district school, 
lie is one of eight children, si.x of whom are 
living. February 2, 1854, Mr. Barr was 
united in marriage to Miss Efhe M. Brokaw, 
daughter of John and Caroline (Bush) Bro- 
kaw, natives of New Jersey. Mrs. Barr was 
born in Knox County, Ohio, February 26, 
1833, and was one of a family of thirteen 
children, eight of whom are now living. Mr. 
and Mrs. Barr are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Wellington, Anna B. (deceased), wife 
of Charles Hannon, and Andrew J. Mrs. 
Ilannon left two children — Leora and Well- 
ington, who reside with their grandparents. 



After their marijiage Mr. and Mrs. Barr con- 
tinued their residence in Ohio until 1867, 
when they came to Iowa, settling in Benton 
County, and remaining there three years. In 
1870 they came to Shelby County and settled 
on a farm of eighty acres in Greeley Town- 
ship, which was then Grove Township; there 
were but few Improvements on this place, a 
small tract having been broken and a log 
house erected. An addition has been made 
to the dwelling, and barns for stock and grain 
have been built. When the Barr family 
came to this section there were but three 
families in the neighborhood. They encoun- 
tered many hardships, but they did it in true 
pioneer style. They have assisted largely in 
the upbuilding of the educational and social 
interests in the community, and are held in 
high esteem and respect by all who know 
them. Mr. Barr and two neighbors, Mallory 
Morgan and Isaac Fish, erected the first 
school-room in the northwestern part of Gree- 
ley Township; it was a small apartment, 12 x 
14 feet, but served the purpose for two years. 
Mr. Barr has been officially identified with 
his township as trustee and as a member of 
the board of education. Politically he affil- 
iates with the Democratic party. Mrs. Barr 
is a member in good standing of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, being one of the first 
to have her name enrolled on the class-book 
in this part of Shelby County. In the be- 
ginning there were two besides Mrs. Barr in 
the class — old Mother Brown and Mrs. Charles 
Brown — -and from this small number the 
society has grown to its present proportions. 

---^^-^i-^f-^ — 



A. SAUNDERS, proprietor Greeley 
Stock Farm, Greeley Township, was 
born in Dane County, AVisconsin, 
August 4, 1857. He is a .son of Charles and 



\ 




BWORAPHWAL SKETCHES. 



4S9 



LoTiisa (Keeley) Saunders, natives of Eng- 
land. C. A. grew to manhood in his native 
county, and in 1873 came to Iowa, settling in 
Nishnabotna Township, Crawford County, 
where he remained until 1879. He then 
purchased forty acres of wild and unim- 
proved lajid in Greeley Township, Shelby 
County, where he has since made his home. 
He has added to his first purchase until he 
now owns 320 acres in a body. He has placed 
it all under most excellent cultivation, and 
has made many valuable improvements in the 
way of buildings. He was burnt out in 1886. 
He has done his share toward promoting for- 
estry, having planted eight acres of grove. 
Mr. Saunders's farm is located about one mile 
south of Manilla, where he is engaged in 
breeding fine horses; he has taken especial 
care in the propagation of good breeds of 
live-stock, and has done much to elevate the 
standard in the county. When he started in 
life his only capital was energy and pluck, 
coins always above par in the market. He 
has risen to a position of wealth and influence 
in the county, and is a fair example of what 
a man can accomplish in this country. Mr. 
Saunders was married May 4, 1877, to Miss 
Bertha, daughter of John and Anna (Hayes) 
Theobald, who was born January 1, 1862. 
They are the parents of seven children — 
Louisiana, Maud A., John R., Blanche N. 
(deceased), William B., Charles and Victoria. 
Politically he gives his support to the issues 
of the Republican party. He is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias. 



ISAAC J. FISH, of Greeley Township, has 
been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County since 1870. He was born 
in Erie County, New York, November 20, 
1828, and is the son of Samuel and Catha- 



rine (Landis) Fish, natives of New York and 
Pennsylvania respectively. Until eighteen 
years of age Isaac resided in his native State, 
being trained to agricultural pursuits, and at- 
tending the common schools of that day. 
After leaving home, his first venture was 
made in the livery business at Toledo, Ohio. 
Here he remained one year, and then enlisted 
in Company H, First Regiment Michigan 
Volunteer Infantry, to serve in the Mexican 
war. At the close of the war he returned to 
New York, remaining there two years. He 
then came west as far as Ohio, stopping there 
for a short time. Tlie next year he was en- 
gaged in work on the Northern Indiana & 
Southern Michigan Railroad, which was then 
being constructed. His next residence was 
in De Kalb County, Illinois, at Shabbona 
Grove, where he remained one year; thence 
he removed to Dixon, Illinois, where lie re- 
mained two years. In 1854 he came to Iowa 
and engaged in the United States mail service, 
working on various parts of the route as far 
west as Denver, Colorado. After retiring 
from the mail service he settled in Jasper 
County, Iowa, thence removed to Benton 
County, and in August, 1870 came to Shelby 
County, settling on a farm of eighty acres in 
Gi'celey Township, which was then known as 
Grove Township; the land was then an un- 
broken tract of wild prairie, and the family 
have had many hardships to encounter; but 
they have courageously faced them all, and 
now have one of the best imj)roved places in 
the township. Mr. Fish first erected a small 
frame residence which answered all require- 
ments until it was destroyed by fire in 1888; 
he then built a large dwelling which is a 
comfortable and tasteful structure. At the 
time of their settling in Shelby County, there 
were but few nei<rhb()rs, but the small num- 
ber promoted sociability, and all made the 
most of their limited pleasure. The country 



430 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



then abounded witli wild game. Mr. Fish 
has been identified with the board of educa- 
tion in his district, and has served as super- 
visor. He affiliates with the Democratic 
party. October 10, 1861, he was united in 
marriage to Elizabeth Lyon, daughter of 
"William and Elizabeth (Iloak) Lyon; she was 
born August 22, 1841, in "Westmoreland 
County, Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa 
about the year 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Fish are 
the parents of six children — Katie (deceased), 
Harry, Jennie, wife of George Jones; Eliza, 
Minnie (deceased), and Amasa. They are 
worthy and consistent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. 



fAMES I'VEY, a native of Jo Daviess 
County, Illinois, was born February 27, 
1842, and is a son of Richard and Sarah 
(Pasco) Ivey, natives of England. James is 
the oldest of a family of seven children, all of 
whom are living. When he was one year 
old his parents removed to Iowa County, 
"Wisconsin, M'here the parents still reside. 
He was reared to a farmer's life in "Wiscon- 
sin, and received but a limited education 
owing to the lack of school facilities. Being 
a close observer he has acquired a fund of 
information that enables him to attend to 
any business that may devolve upon him. 
Mr. Ivey was married September 3, 1865, to 
Miss Eliza Theobald, daughter of Frederick 
and Mary (Goldsmith) Theobald, natives of 
England. Mrs. Ivey was born on Prince 
Edward's Island, October 10, 1845, and at the 
age of two years was taken by her parents to 
Iowa County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ivey are the parents of si.x children — Mary, 
wife <jf Edward Saunders; Alvin, Sadie L., 
James Hoy, Lillian and Jennie B. In 1874 
Mr. Ivey removed from Wisconsin to Shelby 



County, Towa, and settled on a farm of eighty 
acres in Greeley Township; he has added to 
this until he owns 200 acres in one body, all 
being under the best cultivation. He has 
erected a good frame residence, and buildings 
for stock and grain. He has planted two 
acres of grove, and all the surroundings indi- 
cate the thrift and good management of the 
owner. Mr. Ivey takes a pride in the im- 
provement of the grades of live-stock in 
which he deals quite extensively. His polit- 
ical faith is with the Republican party, and 
he has tilled the position of supervisor and 
served on the board of education in his school 
district. Tlie family are consistent members 
of the Evangelical church, and have always 
supported any measure that would tend to the 
elevation of morals and the welfare of the 
community. 



►>^J*|^ 



NDREW J. BERRY, a native of the 
Ilawk-Eye State, was born in Jasper 
County, October 8, 1856, and is a son 
of A. J. and Sarah (York) Berry. The father 
is a native of the State of Virginia, and the 
mother was born in North Carolina. Mr. 
Berry resided in his native county until his 
sixteenth year, receiving the usual training 
of a farmer's son, and attending the common 
schools of the day. When he had reached his 
sixteenth year his parents removed to Cook 
County, Texas, and he accompanied them; 
there they remained one year, and then went 
to Indian Territory; here our subject remained 
eight years, engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. In 1881 he came to Iowa, and set- 
tied in Shelby County, on a farm of 180 acres 
in Greeley Township; a part of this farm also 
lies in Jefferson Township. Here Mr. Berry 
has a beautiful home, surrounded with all of 
the comforts and conveniences of modern life 




■0^^m^ y^o^^-^ 



niOa KA PlJl CAL UK ETCHES. 



433 



He devotes liiinself to general agricultural 
pursuits, ill which he is uniformly successful. 
He is a staunch Democrat. Mr. Berry was 
united in marriage May 13, 1880, to Miss 
Fannie Clift, a daughter of James and Therza 
(Cooper) Clift, natives of Alabama and Ten- 
nessee respectively. Mrs. Beriy was born in 
Arkansas, October 11, 1859. They are the 
parents of four children — Andrew J., Ilhoda 
M., Albert D. and James E. Mrs. Berry is 
a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

— ->-.. ? . ! ■ . r . g ...^ — 



fEORGE EOKARS.— If the old country 
had not contributed largely to the pop- 
ulation of the new, western Iowa would 
not have readied its present high state of de- 
velopment. Germany has furuished her full 
quota of excellent men, and among them 
George Eokars, a citizen of Shelby County, 
honored and respected by the whole popula- 
tion. Mr. Eokars was born in Badeti, Ger- 
many, June 8, 1838. He is a son of Jacob 
and Barbara Eokars, who emigrated from 
Germany to America when he was seven 
years old. They settled in New York, and 
here he grew to manhood. He was a carpen- 
ter by occupation, and followed this trade 
until his twenty-third year. At the age of 
eighteen years he left New York and went to 
New Orleans, working at his trade while in 
that city. He next went to Panama, and 
thence to St. Louis, Missouri, spending one 
winter in the latter place. He spent the fol- 
lowing year in St. Joe, Missouri, serving as 
watchman in the freight depot. The winter 
of 1859 was passed in Salt Lake City, Utah, 
and the spring of the same year found our 
subject in the company of six comrades, jour- 
neying to Colorado for the purpose of en- 
gaging in mining. • This party camped on 
the present site of Denver, and Mr. Eokars 



remained there until 1861, mining and deal- 
ing extensively in mining stocks. After 
quitting Colorado he came to Iowa, ami 
found employment on a farm in Jasper 
County. Here he remained for some time. 
Mr. Eokars was united in marriage, Decem- 
ber 7, 1864, to Julia Piper, daughter of John 
and Jane Piper. She was born December 
2, 1841. Her mother's maiden name was 
Deweese. After his marriage Mr. Eokars 
rented a farm for four years, and then pur- 
chased a farm of eighty acres in Jasper 
County. He remained on this place but a 
short time, however, and decided to try his 
fortunes in Shelby County. He bought forty 
acres of unimproved land in Douglas Town- 
ship, and immediately set to work to put it 
under cultivation. The same autumn he 
erected a comfortable dwellintr and boucrht 
another forty acres of wild land. He has 
continued to buy land until he now owns 650 
acres of magniiicent farm land, under a very 
high state of cultivation. Mr. Eokars deals 
largely in live-stock, and to-day has one of 
the most convenient and complete stock farms 
in western Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Eokars came 
to Iowa at an early day, and have endured all 
the privations incident to the pioneer's life. 
They have by economy and industry sur- 
rounded themselves with comforts which they 
may well enjoy, and they have won a jwsition 
in the county of which they may well be 
proud. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Mary and Thomas (deceased), and Liz- 
zie, still living at home. They have taken 
two children to raise — William Hayes, now 
fourteen years old, and Hattie Piper, now ten 
years of age. Politically Mr. Eokars is a Re- 
publican, and has been officially identified 
with his township in many offices. He has 
served as a member of the county board of 
supervisors with credit to himself and the 
entire satisfaction of the people. He is an 



434 



HISTORY OF 8UELBY COUNTY. 



active member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. 
F. & A. M.; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, R. A. 
M., and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49, K. 
T., and of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Eokars is 
also a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. 
Eokars has been very successful in his deal- 
ing in live-stock, and a visit to his place will 
show that he is a thoroughly practical former 
who understands his calling. 



fOHN M. DUNLAP was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, March 16, 183.3. He is 
the son of John and Margaret (Kobin son) 
Dunlap, natives of Virginia and Ohio respec- 
tively. Until lit'teen years of age he lived in 
his native county, receiving the practical les- 
sons of a farmer's son. He was deprived the 
advantage of a literary education, but close 
observation, supplemented by a good supply 
of common sense, has more than made up for 
this lack of opportunity. When he was fifteen 
years old his parents moved to Peoria County, 
Illinois, where they lived for three years; 
thence they removed to Marshall County, 
Illinois. When our subject reached his ma- 
jority he started in business for himself, with 
nothing but pluck and ambition, which liave 
always remained with him. lie first engaged 
in the threshing business, which he followed 
for twenty-three seasons; in connection with 
this work he also carried on farming. Mr. 
Dunlap was married March 16, 1854, to Miss 
Mary J. Doran, a daughter of James and 
Rebecca (Maxwell) Doran, who was born in 
New Brunswick, July 13, 1830. They have 
had born to them twelve children — Augusta 
13., wife of Alexander Mitchell; Elizabeth 
(deceased), George P., William D., Ethan 
(deceased), Jennie, wife of Wellington liarr; 
Margaret I., wife of C. Goodner; Laura, wife 
of Lewis Reed ; Sidney L., John A. (deceased), 



Louemma an(t Mary A. James Mitchell, a 
grandson, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap. 
In 1873 Mr. Dunlap removed his family to 
Iowa, settling in Polk County; here he re- 
mained six years, and in 1879 came to Shelby 
County, locating on section 1, Greeley Town- 
ship; his farm contained 240 acres of unim- 
proved land upon which he resided two years, 
making many valuable improvements. At 
the expiration of this time he sold this place 
and purchased 140 acres in section 24, Gree- 
ley Township; this land was under good cul- 
tivation and affords a comfortable home. Mr. 
Dunlap has held the office of township trus- 
tee, and affiliates with the Democratic party. 
He devotes himself to general agricultural 
pursuits, and makes a success of the most 
independent calling open to man. 



-3mH 



W. MEIER, of Fairview Township, 
section 17, is one of the prominent 
i® farmers of the township. He came to 
the county in 1877. He was born in Ger- 
many, September 15, 1842, and is a son of 
Clans and Anna Meier. Air. Meier was reared 
in his native country, and attended school 
until he was sixteen years of age. He then 
learned the trade of cabinet-making, and fol- 
lowed it for several years in different towns 
in Germany. In March, 1867, he sailed from 
Hamburg for New York, via Liverpool. From 
New York he came to Iowa, and worked in 
Davenport at his trade for three years. He 
then went into the salooti business for five 
years. In 1877 he sold this business and 
bought 160 acres of land in Shelby County. 
He has since added to it until he now has 
440 acres of as fine land as lies in the county. 
He has a good house and a large barn, and 
cribs for grain. All the* surroundings are in 
good order, and show the industry and thrift 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



435 



of tlie owner. Mr. Meier was married July 
11, 1874, to Miss Dora Iluskainp, also a 
native of Germany. They have seven chil- 
dren — Henry C, Emmos L., Bertha D., Anna 
M., Delia C, W. C. and Rose. Mr. Meier is 
a Democrat. He is a man still in the prime 
of life, honest in business, and one of Shelby 
County's solid men. 



iLONZO JOHNSON was born in Onta- 
rio County, New York, October 27, 
1837. He is a son of Eli and Betha- 
nia (Yates) Johnson, and resided in his native 
State until he was eighteen years old, when 
he went to Shiawassee County, Michigan. 
He was married July 3, 1861, to Martha A. 
Hart, of Michigan, a daughter of William 
and Sarah (Barnes) Hart. In February, 1863, 
Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Fifteenth Michi- 
gan Volunteer Infantry, Company I, for nine 
months. He was in the battlesof Grand Junc- 
tion, Tennessee, Snyder's Bluffs, Vicksburg; 
Chattanooga and Bridgeport, Alabama. He 
was taken prisoner in April, 1863, and was 
paroled by J. B. Montgomery, of Captain 
Sweet's company, S. C, approved by Gen- 
eral Chalmer. He was exchanged in three 
monthg. He was honorably discharged at 
the expiration of liis term of enlistment. He 
returned to Michigan where he lived until 
1805; he then came to Iowa, settling in Pot- 
tawattamie County for three years. At the 
end of that time he came to Shelby County, 
and has since lived here. Mr. Johnson is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and has been since he was nineteen years old; 
he is an exhorter, and a licensed preacher in 
the church, and for many years has taken an 
active part in his Master's service. lie is a 
steward, class-teaeherand trustee in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church at Avoca. Mr. John- 



son's political relations are with the Repub- 
lican party; he has served as assessor for nine 
years, and as justice of the peace for thirteen 
years. He is a member of the G. A. R., U. 
S. Grant Post, of Avoca. He is a member 
of the Masonic order, and a very prominent 
member of the I. O. O. F. lodije and en- 
campment. He served three years as D. D. 
G. Master, District No. 24, I. O. O. F.; four 
years as D. D. G. Patriarch, District No. 82, 
I. O. O. F., and represented the grand lodge 
of Iowa, I. O. O. F., in 1885 and 1886. Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of six chil- 
dren — Emma C, Carrie B., Fred H., Charles 
E., Robert A., Hugh A. Sarah E. died in her 
eleventh year. Mr. Johnson has ever taken 
an active interest in educational, religious 
and political affairs, and is an honored citizen 
of Shelby County. 



TEPHEN WATTERBURY, deceased, 
was one of the old pioneers of Fair- 
view Township, having come to Shelby 
County in 1853. He was born in Rensselaer 
County, New York, March 25, 1814; he was 
the son of Daniel and Amy (Dickinson) 
Watterbury, both natives of New York. 
When Stephen was twelve years old his ])ar- 
ents removed to Onondaga County, New 
York, where he grew to manhood. He was 
reared on a fiirm and received his education 
in the common schools. lie was married 
December 15, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Blaney, 
born in Rensselaer County, New York, July 
14, 1815; she was a daughter of John and 
Sarah (Finch) Blaney; her parents were born 
near Albany, New York. In 1842 Steplien 
and his wife removed to Lee County, Illinois, 
where they lived for one year; then they 
moved to Rock Island County, Illinois, and 
lived there two years; then they came to 



436 



HISTOliY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Jackson County, Iowa, where they remained 
one year; they afterward lived in Jones and 
Clayton counties, and in 1853 came to Shelby 
County and settled on the place they have 
since occupied. When they first came to 
Shelby County they lived in the wagon until 
a rude log cabin 14 x 16 feet was built; here 
hospitality was dispensed with a liberal hand. 
The nearest store and postoffice was Council 
Bluffs. The bill of fare was corn bread and 
water, with an occasional piece of venison. 
In due time the log cabin disappeared and in 
its place there was a good frame house, at 
that time one of the best in the county. Mr. 
Watterbury built all the necessary buildings 
for successful farm-work- The farm consists 
of 300 acres of rich land, part in prairie and 
part in timber. Mr. and Mrs. Watterbury 
were the parents of seven children — Lewis, 
Daniel, Francis, Edward, Mary, wife of J. 
D. Watson of Nebraska; Amy, wife of O. B. 
Hill, of Omaha, and K. J. Mr. Watterbury 
was a Republican, and served as justice of 
the peace for several years. He was Captain 
of a military camp in New York. He was 
active in every good cause, made, many 
friends, and retained them. He was a kind 
husband and a loving father, and had the 
confidence of all who knew him. He and 
his wife lived together for forty-nine years. 
Mrs. Watterbury still lives on the old home- 
stead, where she has been for thirty-six years. 
Her son, li. J., has the management of tlie 
place. II. J. Watterbury is one of the enter- 
prising and successful farmers of Fairview 
Township. He is a son of Stephen Watter- 
bury, deceased, and Amy Watterbury, who 
still resides on the homestead. Here our sub- 
ject was burn March 28, 18G0, and iiere his 
youth was passed in doing farm-work, and in 
attending the common schools. R. J. Wat- 
terbury was united in marriage September 1, 
1886, to Miss Lillie White, of Harlan, a 



daughter of M. White, and one of Shelby 
County's successful teachers. He now has 
charge of the homestead. He is an ardent 
Republican, a member of the Masonic order, 
Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 297, Avoca, and of the 
Knights of Pythias, and although but a young 
man he has gained a good position in tlie 
county, and has a prospect for a long and 
useful life. 



-^ "(fc - ^ 'S- j) ' -^ 

fOHN ARMSTRONG, of Fairview Town- 
ship, is one of the leading citizens of 
Shelby County. In 1880 lie bought the 
James Long farm, four and a half miles 
north of Avoca, where he has since lived. 
He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan- 
nary 24, 1838. He is a son of William and 
Mary (Rose) Armstrong, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio. Of eight children John was 
the second. The parents lived till death in 
Wayne County, Ohio. John was reared on 
a farm and educated in the public schools. 
He was married December 19, 1861, to Miss 
Esther Ann Long, a native of Union County, 
Pennsylvania, born June 11, 1841, and a 
daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Snook) Long. 
Mr. Armstrong lived in Ohio until 1880, 
when he sold his property and came to Shelby 
County, Iowa. His farm is among the best 
in the township; it contains 240 acres, a fine 
residence, erected at a cost of §2,000 in 
1884. He has good buildings for stock, and a 
windmill that furnishes an abundance of 
water. Everything about the Armstrong 
farm shows thrift and energy. Mr. Arm- 
strong is engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing of a high grade. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong 
have six children living — William E., of 
Holt County, Nebraska; Thomas F., Clarence 
E., John Sherman, Anabel and Benton Jas- 
per. Charles G. died at twenty years of age. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



437 



Mr. Armstrong is a Republican. He is ge- 
nial in his disposition, and is one of the 
leading farmers in Shelby County. Mrs. 
Armstrong is a woman of refinement, and 
presides over her home with dignity and kind 
hospitality, and is a member of the Presby- 
terian church. Mr. Armstrong enlisted under 
Lincoln's lirst call for 75,000 men, in Com- 
pany E, Fourth Ohio, at Wooster, Ohio, 
but was retained at Columbus until the expi- 
ration of the time — three months. In 18G3 
he again enlisted in the Home Guards, but 
did not see any active service. 




WILLIAM HOWLETT, Je.— Shelby 
County is indebted to England for 
one of her prominent and enterpris- 
ing citizens, although America has been his 
training-school. William Howlett, Jr., was 
born in Norfolk July 2, 1846, and is a son 
of William Howlett, Sr. He was nine years 
old when his father crossed the sea and came 
to America, and was only twelve years old 
when he came to Shelby County. His youth 
was passed at home in farm work and in at- 
tending school; he also worked at masonry 
for a time. Mr. Howlett was married De- 
cember 25, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Leslie, a 
native of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of Hugh and Rebecca Leslie. 
In 1872 they came to the farm where the 
family resided until March 13, 1889, when 
Mr. Howlett sold and bought adjoining Cor- 
ley. He and his wife are the parents of four 
children — F. O., Ord W., Rebecca M., and 
Jessie E. The great loss of Mr. Howlett's 
life was the death of his beloved wife, which 
occurred November 23, 1885. She was a 
woman of many virtues, a faithful and loving 
wife and a good mother. She was a consist- 
ent member of the Presbyterian church. 



Mr. Howlett is a Democrat, and one of Jlie 
wheel-horses of the party in the township. 
He has served as clerk of the township for 
eight years, and as school-treasurer for thir- 
teen years, with great honor. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order. Mount Nebo Lodge, 
No. 297, Avoca; and a member of the 
Knights of Pythias of Harlan, No. 65. He 
is a man yet in the prime of life, and has 
already gained an enviable reputation in the 
county. 




-JM^. 



W. TROTTER is one of the well- 
known citizens of Fairview Town- 
'^WP^^ ship, having come to the county in 
1871. He was born in Hendricks County, 
Indiana, December 27, 1839, and is a son of 
Wakefield Trotter, a native of Virginia, of 
an old Virginia family of English ancestry. 
His mother was Elizabeth Wilson, a native 
of Kentucky. His parents had four sons and 
four daughters, and he was the fifth child. 
He lived in Hendricks County until he was 
fourteen years old; the family then went to 
Grreen Bay, Wisconsin, and in 1852 to Jas- 
per County, Iowa. He was reared a farmer 
and educated in the public schools. He en- 
listed in 1861, in answer to the call for 200,- 
000 men, in tiie Tenth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, Company I. He was in the battles 
of Charleston, lukaand Corinth, Mississippi, 
and was honorably discharged on account of 
disability. He returned to Jasper County, 
Iowa, and in 1864 went to Indiana and spent 
two years. In 1806 he moved to De Kalb 
County, Missouri, and lived there five years. 
In 1871 he came to Harlan and engaged in 
freighting goods from Avoca to Harlan ur.til 
1875; he then bought his present farm. 
Some of it was broken, but he has built a 
good house, a barn, planted an orchard, and 



438 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



improved the place in good style. He has 
172 acres of valuable land. Mr. Trotter was 
married in Jasper County, in 1863, to Mrs. 
Martha O. Bleness, a native of Indiana, and 
a daughter of James and Sarah Broomhall. 
He and his wife are the parents of eight 
children — Thomas A., Cora A., James M., 
Orlando M., Ernest, Lulu Mjrtle, Emma 
Leota and Eranklin. Mr. Trotter is a Re- 
publican, and a strong one. He has served 
on the school board for ten years, and is a 
member of the G. A. E., Post No. 197, and a 
member of the Anti-horse-thief Association, 
No. 27. Mr. Trotter is a man well posted, 
and has traveled a good deal. He is honest 
and upright in all his dealings, and has the 
respect and confidence of his associates. 



fO.. RAMSAY, of Lincoln Township, is 
a native of Maryland. He was born 
' May 28, 1839, and is a son of Hugh 
and Elizabeth (Wliiteford) Ramsay. His 
father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his 
mother of Maryland. James O. is the third 
of seven children. He was reared on a farm 
and received his education in the common 
schools. He was married January 15, 1863, 
to Miss Eliza M. Glassgow, a lady of intelli- 
gence and culture, born in Jo Daviess County, 
Hlinois. She is a daughter of James and 
Mary A. (Rice) Glassgow. Her grandfather, 
Thomas Rice, taught the first school in Galena, 
Illinois, and his daughter. Miss Alena Rice, 
taught the first deaf and dumb pupils in St. 
Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Ramsay's father located 
in Galena, Illinois, in 1827. She was edu- 
cated there and at Jacksonville, Illinois, and 
was a successful teacher previous to her mar- 
riage. Mr. Ramsay lived in Maryland until 
1873, when he came to Shelby County, Iowa. 
He settled on wild prairie land, where he has 



since resided. ^ He has improved his farm 
from year to year, until he now has it under 
as good cultivation as any in the county. 
His first house cost §500, and was destroyed 
in a cyclone in 1877. The familyhad a nar- 
row escape, Mrs. Ramsay being badly hurt 
and all the rest more or less injured. The 
present house, built in 1884, at a cost of 
§1,600, is of modern style and well furnished, 
showing the refinement and culture of the 
inmates. There is a large barn, a windmill, 
and all the equipments of a first-class farmer. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay have three children — 
Edith Alena, Evelyn Adelle and James Dow- 
ney. The two daughters have graduated in 
the Harlan common school, and are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church of Harlan. 
Mr. Ramsay's political influence goes with 
the Democratic party. 

•°^ "a ' ^ ' ' ' ^" ~^ 



fP. GILMORE was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, October 2, 18i2. He is 
* a son of George Gilmore, a native of 
Ohio. His mother died when he was a child. 
His father moved to Jones County, Iowa, in 
1850, and was one of the early settlers. J. 
P. Gilmore was reared on a farm, and re- 
ceived a limited education in the public 
schools. At Lincoln's call for 200,000 men 
he responded, enlisting in the Thirty-first 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company G. He 
was first under tire at the first attack of 
Yicksburg. He was in the battle of Ar- 
kansas Post, and later, on account of disabil- 
ity, he was transferred to the Reserve Corps, 
and was sent to Rock Island, where he was 
on guard duty, guarding rebel prisoners until 
the close of the war. He was honorably dis- 
charged and returned to Jones County, Iowa. 
In 1872 he was married to Mrs. Margaret 
Blizzard, a widow with two sons — Willis and 



BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCHES. 



489 



Edward. In 1875 Mr. Gilinore came to 
Slielby County and bought wild land, paying 
$10 per acre. Since then he has bonglit forty 
acres more, and has improved all until he 
has a fine farm under excellent cultivation. 
He has a good house, a barn, grove and 
orchard. Mr. Gilmore has no children. Po- 
litically he is a Republican. He was formerly 
a member of the G. A. 11. He is yet in the 
prime of life, and has made for himself an 
enviable reputation among his neighbors and 
friends. 



■ g ' 3 " f^ - 



jRVILLE COMSTOCK, one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln Township, was born 
in Chautauqua County, New York, June 
2, 1833. He is the son of James Comstock, 
who was in the war of 1812. His ancestry 
is traced back to five brothers who came to 
America before the lie volution. Two of 
them, Daniel and Jason, were in tiie Revolu- 
tionary war. The mother of our subject was 
Maria Card, a native of New York. The 
parents moved to Venango County, Pennsyl- 
vania, when Orville was thirteen years old. 
Here he grew to manhood. He moved into 
the pine woods, and engaged in lumbering 
on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers for several 
years. He was the oldest of nine children. 
Two of his brothers were in the late war — 
Elihu, and George, who died of fever at Dal- 
ton, Georgia. Mr. Comstock was married 
March 4, 1856, to Miss Sarah Temple, born 
and reared in Pennsylvania. By this union 
one child was born — James, whose birthday 
is November G, 1858. After the death of 
his first wife, Mr. Comstock was married 
September 7, 1804, to Miss Mary S. Day, of 
Forest County, Pennsylvania. J'y this mar- 
riage one son, W. A. Comstock, was born 
March 29, 1868. Mr. Comstock separated 



from this wife October 12, 1869, and the 
following June obtained a divorce from her. 
Mr. Comstock was again married Auijust 29, 
to Hetty Hickson, a native of Guernsey 
County, Ohio, and a daughter of Elias and 
Mary A. Hickson. In 1862 Mr. Comstock 
went to Bureau County, Illinois, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1864, returned to Pennsylvania, and 
spent some time in Pennsylvania, New York 
and Virginia. In 1870 he settled in Harri- 
son County, Missouri. Afterward he went 
to Ford County, Illinois, and then returned 
to Harrison County, Missouri. In 1873 he 
settled on his present farm, which he has 
under fine cultivation. He has made all the 
modern improvements, and has a comfortable 
home. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. 
Comstock, althougii fifty-six years of age, 
appears to be in the prime of life. He has 
a good memory, is a great reader, and is well 
posted on all subjects of general interest. 
He is honorable in business, and has the con- 
fidence and respect of all who know him. 



fHOMAS BACON, an extensive stock- 
raiser of Shelby County, was born in 
Morgan County, Illinois, March 5, 
183G. He is a son of Elijaii and Anna 
(Kerr) Bacon. His father was a native of 
Tennessee, and his mother was born in Scot- 
land, and came to America when a child. 
They were married in Morgan County, Illi- 
nois, when that was a new country. Tliey 
had nine children. Tiiomas, one of a pair 
of twins, and Miss Emeline Miller, also one 
of a pair of twins, are the only surviving 
children. Thomas Bacon was reared on a 
farm and received his education in the puljjic 
schools. He lived at home until he was 
twenty-one years old. In 1861 he removed 
to the far west, Idaho, where he engaged in 



440 



HISTORY OF ISUELJSY COUNTY. 



freighting goods. From there he removed 
to Illinois, and then went to Saline County, 
Missouri, where he engaged in shipping 
stock until 1876, when he went to Washing- 
ton Territory, where he spent one year. He 
then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and 
bought his present farm, which was im- 
proved. He now owns 480 acres, and has 
one of the best stock farms in Shelby 
Count}'. He has a good two-story residence, 
a commodious barn and two windmills. He 
has a grove of thirteen acres, one of the best 
in the county. Everything manifests the 
excellent management and industry of the 
owner. Mr. Bacon was married October 28, 
1875, to Miss Emeline Miller, of Poweshiek 
County, Iowa, a daughter of Jacob Miller. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have three children — 
Tuda, Alice and Eichard M. Mr. Bacon 
gives his support to tiie Democratic party. 
He is a man yet in the prime of life, and has 
gained an enviable reputation socially and 
financially in the county. 



lENTON C. CUSTEK is one of the suc- 
cessful and enterprising citizens of Fair- 
view Township. He was but a babe 
when his father, Henry Custer, wiiose history 
will be found on another page, came to this 
county; here he has lived for thirty-live years; 
his youth, spent amid the wild surroundings 
of pioneer life, was occupied in farm work 
and in attending school. Arriving at the age 
of manhood he was married January 1, 1879, 
to Miss Laura McGee, who was born at Big 
Grove, Pottawattamie County, Iowa; she is 
a daughter of William and Eda (IIuS) McGee; 
the father is a native of Indiana, and the 
mother of Illinois. Our subject came to his 
present farm, which is a portion of the old 
homestead farm, in 1879; he now owns 320 



acres of well-improved land, consisting of rich 
bottom lands and timber. Custer's Grove is 
on tiiis farm. He built his present house in 
1878; it is a fine frame building of modern 
style, and well furnished; it is well located on 
an excellent building site, surrounded by a . 
grove of native trees. Mr. Custer is engaged 
in general farming, making a specialty of the 
better breeds of stock. He and his wife are 
the parents of five children — Grace E., Ger- 
trude G., Eva E., Eda Inez and Glen Dale. 
He isaIlepublican,andastrongone. Though 
but a young man he has gained an enviable 
reputation in the county, and is one of her 
best citizens. 



J^ANIEL WATTERBURY, of Fairview 
lifi Township, section 16, was born in Onon- 
daga County, New York, February 3, 
1842; he is a son of Stephen Watterbnry, 
(deceased). He was eleven years of age when 
his parents came to Shelby County; he grew 
to manhood on the old homestead, spending 
his time on the farm and in attending school. 
During the late war he went to the defense 
of his country; he enlisted October 14, 1863, 
in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, Company M, 
Colonel C. Trumbull commanding the regi- 
ment. Company M was organized Septem- 
ber 2, 1863, and was composed mostly of 
men from Wapello, Lee and Shelby counties; 
they went into camp at St. Louis, Missouri, 
and were there for some time; they were or- 
dered on scouting expeditions into Missouri, 
and acted as a safe-guard to the Union infan- 
try for awhile. Their heaviest engagement 
was probably at Clarendon, Arkansas. The 
regiment was at Duval's Bluff from June 
25 to June 29, 1864, and in August of the 
same year liad had some sharp engagements 
with the eneiriy. Mr. Watterbnry was taken 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



443 



prisoner in Searcy County, Arkansas, Sep- 
tember 6, 18G4, by Captain Keybnrn's men, 
of Shelby's brigade; lie was held three days 
and paroled; he went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
via Iron Mountain. December 25, 1864, he 
was sent by boat down the river to old Browns- 
ville, Arkansas, where he joined his regiment; 
he was then engaged for several months against 
the bushwhackers; he was honorably dis- 
charged February 3, 1866. After his discharge 
he returned to Shelby County and engaged 
in farming in section 21, Fairview Town- 
ship, where he lived until 1844, when he 
came to his present home known as the Mc- 
Keig farm. Mr. Watterbury now owns 340 
acres of well improved land; the farm lies two 
and a half miles from Corley Station, and is 
one of the best in the township. He was 
married in September, 1872, to Miss Hannah 
McKeig, a daughter of Wesley McKeig and 
Salina McKeig. By this union two children 
have been born — Virgil and Effie Maud. Our 
subject is a Republican, a member of the U. 
S. Grant Post, of Avoca, a member of the 
Masonic Order, Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 297, 
of Avoca, and a member of the I. O. O. F., of 
Avoca. He is one of the solid men of the 
county. 



lAPTAIN D. C. COOPER, of the firm 
of Abbott & Cooper, grain dealers, 
Shelby County, Iowa, was born in Kiil- 
ingly, Windham County, Connecticut, Octo- 
ber 17, 1834. He is a son of Calvin and 
Harriet (Kies) Cooper. Calvin Cooper was 
the son of Calvin Cooper, Sr., a Baptist min- 
ister of the gospel, of English ancestry and 
Puritan stock. The mother was a native of 
Connecticut, and a daughter of William Kies. 
D. 0. Cooper is tiie only son of six children; 
his youth was spent in attending the common 



schools, and his education was finished in the 
West Killingly Academy. In 1854 he re- 
moved to Illinois and engaged in farming for 
one season. He returned to his native State 
and was married to Miss Theresa Adams, of 
Windham County, Connecticut; she is a 
daughter of Arba and Rachel Adams, natives 
of Connecticut. In 1855 Calvin Cooper and 
family removed to Bureau County, Illinois, 
and in 1856 D. C. Cooper followed them and 
engaged in farming, which he continued nntil 
the late war. In February, 1862, he enlisted 
in the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
Company E, serving in Virginia until he was 
made a prisoner of war at the surrender of 
Harper's Ferry, where he was paroled and sent 
to Camp Douglas, Chicago; tiiere he was ex- 
changed January 10, 1863, and ordered to 
Kentucky, serving as mounted infantry in the 
eastern part of the State, and also in western 
West Virginia. In August of that year he 
was ordered to Lexington, Kentucky, and was 
there included in the organization of the 
Twenty-third Army Corps, which formed a 
part of the Army of the Ohio under General 
Burnside, who afterward occupied East Ten- 
nessee. Captain Cooper took part in many 
active engagements; among the most noted 
are the siege of Knoxville, Blain's Cross 
Roads, and Dandridge. After the siege of 
Knoxville he suffered the hardships of the 
next winter's campaign, probably the most 
severe endured by any troops during the war. 
In March he was discharged as Orderly Ser- 
geant from the Sixty-fifth Illinois, at Knox- 
ville, to assist in the organization of the First 
United States Colored Artillery, and was 
commissioned as Senior Second Lientenant. 
During the summer of 1864 the regiment was 
engaged in building fortifications. Mr. Cooper 
was promoted to Senior First Lieutenant 
in the fail of 1864. After the surrender of 
General Johnson the regiment, then at Ash- 



444 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



ville, North Carolina, was ordered to Knox- 
ville, thence to Chattanooga, to garrison the 
town and relieve northern troops. Lieuten- 
ant Cooper was ordered to Lookout Mountain 
as Captain of Company H, and was in com- 
mand there during the military occupation of 
that point. He was honorably disciiarged in 
the spring of 1866, and returned to Bureau 
County, Illinois; there he was occupied with 
teaching and farming for five years; during 
this time he was a member of the board of 
supervisors for two terms. He was elected 
to the office of superintendent of the Bureau 
County Infirmary, filling the position with 
credit to himself and the satisfaction of the 
public for nine years. In 1880 he resigned 
his position and came to Iowa, settling in 
Shelby County, in the town of Shelby. There 
he opened a grain business in partnership 
with Mr. S. D. Abbott. At the beginning of 
the business Mr. Abbott resided in Illinois. 
This business relationship has continued up 
to the present time, and the firm of Ab- 
bott & Cooper are well known as honorable, 
reliable business men; they do an extensive 
business, their elevator having a capacity of 
15,000 bushels. Captain Cooper is also one 
of the hardware firm of D. C. Cooper & 
Company, which business is managed by his 
son-in-law, Mr. B. L. Watson. Besides this 
mercantile business, Captain Cooper has 
superintended the improvements of about 
500 acres of land which he owns in Shelby 
Township. In 1882 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the council of the town of Shelby and 
served six years; in 1885 he was elected 
supervisor of Shelby County, and served 
three years, during the year 1888 acting as 
chairman of the board. At the present time 
he is mayor of the incorporate town of Shelby. 
He is one of the charter members of the 
Dick Yates Post, No. 364, G. A. R., and was 
for two years its commander. He is a mem- 



ber of Silentia Lodge, No. 371, A. F. «fe A. 
M.; of Princeton Chapter, No. 28, Princeton, 
Illinois; he is one of the charter members of 
Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49, and was 
captain general under the dispensation. 
Captain Cooper and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian church at Slielby. 

— »' ^ ' 3"t * | '*~' 



^^i;:ESLEY McKEICt.— One of the well- 
lli/v/l known, early pioneers was Wesley 

l^feS McKeig, who came to Shelby County 
in 1855 from Fountain County, Indiana, 
with his wife and two children. He was 
married in Indiana to Salina Aberaiithy. 
When he came here he settled in section 16, 
Fairview Township, where he improved an 
excellent farm and lived until his death. The 
farm contained 110 acres, of which twenty- 
five acres were timber land. AVesley McKeig 
and wife reared eight children — Sainantha, 
wife of Thomas Long; Hannah, wife of Dan- 
iel Watterbury; Lizzie, wife of Joseph Eustis; 
John, Charles, Alma and Alva, who are twins. 
Mr. McKeig was a strong, robust man, well 
suited to undertake the hardships of pioneer 
life. He was a Republican. He died in April, 
1874, and his wife passed away in the same 
month, one week previous. John W. McKeig, 
of Fairview Township, was born July 20, 1861. 
He is a son of Wesley McKeig, and was reared 
on the old homestead. He received his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Slielby County. 
AVTien his parents died he lived with R. Custer 
for several years. He was married December 
27, 1882, to Miss Maggie McConnell, who 
was born in Rock Island County, Illinois. 
She was a daughter of James and Sarah Mc- 
Connell. Mr. McConnell died in Harlan. 
Mr. McKeig has a good farm of 120 acres 
near Corley; he has a good house, and stables 
for stock, and a windmill; everything shows 



BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCHES. 



445 



the energy and industry of tlie owner. lie 
is a Republican and a member of the Anti- 
horse-thief Association of the township. Mr, 
and Mrs. McKeig have two children — Dale and 
llarrold. They are botli in the prime of life, 
and have the prospect of a long life of pros- 
perity and happiness before them. 

— •'^ "^ • S"i • !" -*" — 




r. HACK was born in the Hoosier 
State, Fountain County, October 20, 
1853. Ilis parents were Albert and 
Mary Hack, natives of Kentucky and Indiana. 
In the autumn of 1854 the family came to 
Shelby County, and settled in the northeast 
of section 16, Fairview Township, where Al- 
bert Hack improved a farm and made a 
home. He improved fifty-two acres and 
owned 180 acres. He died June 29, 1859, 
aged thirty-one years. He left a wife and 
four children; two of the children are living 
— H. P. Hack, and Hannah M. Preston, wife 
of O. A. Preston. The two children not liv- 
ing were John, who died at the age of eight- 
een months, and Margaret, who died at the 
age of nineteen years. Mrs. Hack still re- 
sides on the old homestead where she first 
settled when coming to Iowa thirty-four years 
ago. H. P. Hack grew to manhood on the 
old home place, and remained there until he 
was twenty-three years old; his youth was 
spent in farm work and in attending the dis- 
trict school. Arriving at the age of man- 
hood he was united in marriage with Miss 
Phoebe S. Williams, of Fairview Township. 
She is a daughter of John and Loruhamah 
Williams. Mr. Hack located on his present 
farm in 1877, and has improved the wild 
prairie land until lie now has it under excel- 
lent cultivation. He has a good comfortable 
frame house, and buildiiiirs for stock and 
grain. His farm is located one-half mile 



southeast from Corley Station. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hack have one child — Venie, aged eight 
years. One child. Lulu, died in infancy. 
Mr. Hack is a Republicfui. He has been 
called to serve in most of the township offi- 
ces; he has been township clerk for two years 
and assessor for two years ; he has also served 
on the school board, and acquitted himself 
with credit in all these offices. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order, Mount Nebo Lodge, 
No. 297, Avoca. He is the present secretary 
of the Anti-horse-thief Association of Fair- 
view Township. Mr. Hack has always lent 
his hearty support to all public enterprises, 
and is one of Shelby County's honorable, up- 
right and reliable citizens. 



H. BELL is one of the intelligent, 
wide-awake and well-known citizens 
® of Fairview Township. He came to 
Shelby County, October 1, 1873. He is a 
native of Illinois, born in Menard County, 
February 14, 1846. He is a son of Robert 
and Lydia (Davis) Bell, both natives of Ken- 
tucky. Robert Bell was but six years of age 
when he was taken to Illinois, where he was 
reared and lived nntil his death, which 
occurred March 15, 1880. His wife still 
resides in Menard County. By this union 
seven children were born, of whom Gr. H. 
was the second and the oldest son. The father 
was a farmer, and our subject spent his 
youth at farm work on the homestead and in 
attending the common schools. He was 
afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
jiis native county until 1873, when he de- 
cided to cast his lot in western Iowa. He 
came from Illinois to Iowa with a team and 
located on wild prairie land in Pottawattamie 
County; in 1875 he moved to Shelby County, 
and was one of the first settlers in tlie nuii'h- 



446 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



borhood where he has since lived, and im- 
proved liis farm until it is now under a good 
state of cultivation. He has a good frame 
house, situated on a natural building site 
overlooking the surrounding country. There 
are good stables and barns for stock and 
grain; there is also an orchard and grove. 
Everything bespeaks the thrift and prosperity 
of the owner. Mr. Bell has also improved 
another farm in Shelby County. Mr. Bell 
was married April 2, 1874, to Miss Ellen 
Abernathey, of Putnam County, Missouri. 
She came to Shelby County when she was 
two years old ; she is a daughter of Kelloni 
and Elizabeth (Penner) Abernathey. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bell have two children — Corda A., 
born April 17, 1875, and Ely F., born April 
1, 1879. Mr. Bell is a Democrat and has 
ever taken an active interest in his party. 
He has been called to serve as a member of 
the school board, and was elected assessor in 
the fall of 1888. He is a member of the 
Anti- horse-thief Association, No. 35, aud is 
also vice-president. Mr. Bell is a member of 
the Evangelical Association of Harlan, as are 
also his wife and daughter, lleligion and 
educational enterprises have always found a 
■liberal supporter in Mr. Bell. He is still in 
the prime of life; he is genial in his disposi- 
tion, honest and upright in business, and has 
tlie respect and confidence of all who know 
him. 



- * • -% • 3 »' i ' ^" ' " • — ■ 

fC. MANSFIELD, proprietor of Spring- 
dale Farm, Shelb}' Township, is one of 
* the early settlers, having come to the 
county in 1872. He is a native of the Buck- 
eye State, born in Harrison County, Septem- 
ber 22, 1847. He is a son of Richard and 
Elizabeth (Shimers) Mansfield. Mr. Mans- 
field was reared to farm life, and was edticated 



in the common schools. Durinsr the late war 
he was one of the first of the many gallant 
patriots to go to the defense of his country's 
flag. He enlisted January 27, 18C2, when 
but fifteen years of age. He was in the 
Seventy-fonrth Ohio Infantry, Company G. 
He was first under fire at Gallatin, Tennes- 
see, and was in the battle of Stone Biver, 
and was wounded December 31 by a gun- 
shot in the right leg. He was confined to 
the hospital at Nashville, Louisville, and 
Quincy, Illinois. He rejoined his regiment 
at Murfreesboro. He took an active part in 
the Tullahoma campaign, in the battle of 
Chickaraauga, the siege of Chattanooga, and 
the campaign of Atlanta, when he was under 
fire four months. He went through the 
Carolinas to Washington, and was present at 
the grand review. He was honorably dis- 
charged at Louisville, Kentucky, and mus- 
tered out of the service at Camp Denison, 
Ohio, in July, 1865. He then returned to 
Harrison County, Avhere he remained one 
year. He then went to Illinois and Tived in 
McLean and Logan counties until 1867, when 
he came to Mahaska County, Iowa. Here 
he lived until 1872, when he settled on the 
land which is his present home. It was then 
wild and unimproved, but to-day Springdale 
Farm is one of the finest in the county. 
There is a good house, barns for stock and 
grain, and a grove and orchard. A strong, 
pure spring supplies the stock with water. 
Mr. Mansfield has twenty-six head of 
thoroughbred short-horns of good pedigree, 
that cannot be excelled in the county. June 
24, 1871, Mr. Mansfield was married to Miss 
Sophia E. CoflSn, of Oscaloosa, Iowa, a 
daughter of Samuel CotHn, Esq. They have 
four children — Elizabeth Ann, Flora E., Nel- 
lie G. and Mary Clyde. Mr. Mansfield is a 
Republican, and a member of the G. A. R., 
Dick Yates Post, No. 364. He has ever 



BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCUBS. 



447 



shown a public spirit, and is among the fore- 
most in every laudable enterprise. lie is 
still in the prime of life, is genial and hos- 
pitable in his disposition, honest and upright 
in bis dealings, and has the confidence and 
respect of all who know him. 

"' " ' £ ' 1 ' ' S ' ^" ' " — 




F. CHRISTOPHER, proprietor of 

, w wi the Shelby harness shop, is one of 
l^'^rri '■* the live, active business men of the 
town. He is successor to J. C. Garmong, who 
was in business some time at the same stand. 
The harness business was started in Shelby by 
William Campbell and passed through several 
changes previous to Mr. Garmong's owner- 
ship. The present proprietor carries a full 
line of harness goods, such as will be found 
in a first-class harness shop. He does a trade 
of $2,500 to $3,000 per annum. "W. F. 
Christopher is a native of Germany; he was 
born August 21, 1853, and is a son of John 
and Mary Christopher. The family came to 
America in the fall of 1864, landing at Castle 
Garden, New York. They settled in Sche- 
nectady County, New York, where our sub- 
ject grew to manhood; he passed his youth 
in farm work and in attending the common 
schools. At fourteen years of age he began 
the trade of harness-making at Glenville, New 
York; later he worked at Amsterdam, New 
York, and finished his trade at Utica, New 
York, in the autumn of 1874, when he re- 
moved to Kansas, where lie spent some time. 
He went to the Black Hills during the gold 
excitement in 1875; in July of the same year 
he came to Shelby and went to work at his 
trade. After a time he accepted a position 
in Council Bluffs, where he had charge of one 
of the largest shops in the city, C. I'eckman 
being the proprietor. In 1882 he bought the 
interest of the proprietor of the Shelby har- 



ness shop and took charge of the business. 
He is a thoroughly practical workman and a 
good judge of the stock used in his business. 
He was married December 31, 1881, to Miss 
Mary Sandal, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. They 
have two children — William and Albert. Po- 
litically Mr. Christopher is a Republican; he 
served in the town council four years; he is 
a member of the I. O. O. F., Canopy Lodge, 
No. 401, and has served as treasurer several 
years. Though but a young man he stands 
high politically and financially. 

•^ "^ •■ 3 *' i ' j!" "^ 



D. ABBOTT is one of tiie well-known 
business men of Shelby. He came to 
" the town in 1882. He is a native of 
Monroe County, New York, born September 
30, 1835. He is a son of Calvin and Char- 
lotte (Clement) Abbott, natives of Vermont. 
They were the parents of eight children, our 
subject being the youngest of five sons and 
three daughters. He lived in his native 
county until he was seventeen years of age, 
spending the time in farm work and in 
attending school. He finished his education 
at Hanover, Indiana, and then taught eight 
years in Kentucky. There he was known as 
the Yankee schoolmaster from the North, 
and on account of his firm Union sentiments, 
so antagonistic to the rebel sentiments, he 
returned to the North, to Bureau County, 
Illinois. He settled at Mineral, and engaged 
in teaching and farming. In 1874 he en- 
gaged in the lumber and grain business, and 
continued this until he came to Shelby. Mr. 
Abbott was married in Spencer County, Ken- 
tucky, October 8, 1863, to Miss Indiana 
Henry, a lady of intelligence, a daughter of 
David and Hannah (lirown) Henry. Mr. 
and Mrs. Abbott have four children — Homer, 
Edwin Hardy, Hannah May and Clement 



443 



niSTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Henry. They have given their children the 
advantage of a good education at Oberlin 
College in Ohio. Mr. Abbott is a strong 
Republican, and in Bureau County, Illinois, 
served as county supervisor. lie is one of 
the active, working members in the Presby- 
terian church at Shelby, and is an elder of 
the same. He has always taken an active 
interest in the Sabbath-school work. Any 
enterprise that has for its object the educa- 
tional and religious advancement of the 
county meets with his hearty support. 



•"■•■ ai ' 3 " S ' ^"- ' 

G. OSBORN, Township Trustee, came 
to Shelby in the spring of 1877. He 
■^'^ was born in Bedford County, Penn- 
sylvania, July 5, 1826, a son of Christopher 
Osborn, who was a native of the same county, 
and whose ancestry goes back to William 
Penn's colony to Pennsylvania, when the first 
Osborn came to this country. The mother of 
our subject was Mary Griffith, of German and 
Welsh origin. Mr. Osborn was reared in his 
native county, and passed his j'outh in farm- 
ing and attending the common schools of that 
day. Arriving at the age of manhood he was 
married to Rosanna Foster January 23, 1851; 
she was born and reared in Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Ben- 
jamin and Hannah Foster. Mr. Osborn 
lived in Pennsylvania until 1856, when he 
removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana. In 
June, 1857, he went to Knox County, Illinois, 
where he lived until 1868, when lie came to 
Iowa, h)cating in Johnson County, near Iowa 
City; here he lived until he came to Shelby. 
The first year he lived north of the town three 
miles, then he bought land and built where he 
now lives. He has a good one and a half story 
house, located on a tine building site, from 
which one has a fine view of the town and 



surrounding country. He has a grove and 
orchard, and everything indicates the thrift 
and wise management of the proprietor. He 
owns forty-one acres in the town limits. Mr. 
and Mrs. Osborn have five children living — 
Mary Frances, wife of Henry Foster, of Bird 
City, Kansas; Lemuel E., who is a farmer and 
lives four miles in Harrison County; William 
P., a photographer of Shelby; Wesley E., a 
farmer of Woodbury County, Iowa; Sarah 
Belle, at home. Mrs. Osborn and three of 
the children are worthy members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Osborn is a 
Republican, casting his vote first for Zach Tay- 
lor. He has served on the council, and was 
elected township trustee in the fall of 1888. 
He is honorable and upright in business, and 
the family are esteemed and respected by all. 

K . . . . .. £ . 3 11 1 . ^ 1.. ... 




ILLIAM KLEEB was born in Green 
it r/ \1W County, Wisconsin, May 16, 1851, 
l*"^Tl and is the son of John and Barbara 
Kleeb, whose history will befound elsewhere in 
this work. He was the oldest of a family of 
eleven children, and until his sixteenth year he 
resided in Fayette County, Iowa, working on 
a farm and attending the common schools. 
In 1867 he came with his parents to Shelby 
County, and settled in Washington Town- 
ship. In October, 1879, he was married to 
Miss Julia F. Wheeler, daughter of Monroe 
and Mary E. (Washlnirn) Wheeler; she was 
born in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, Au- 
gust 19, 1855, and came to Iowa in 1879. 
They are tlie parents of four children — 
Arthur W., Blanche E., Harry W. and Gladys 
L. After Mr. Kleeh's marriage he settled on 
a farm of eighty acres in section 34, Grove 
Township, and has since made this his home. 
When he bought the land it was uncultivated 
and unimproved, but he has brought it up to 




^ 




i 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



451 



a high state of cultivation, and has erected 
large and comfortable buildings. He has 
purchased the adjoining eighty acres, so his 
farm now contains 160 acres. Mr. Kleeb is 
energetic and enterprising, and stands in the 
front ranks of Shelby County's fanners. He 
affiliates with the Union Labor party, and has 
held the office of school director. The family 
are numbered among the respected and worthy 
citizens of the county. 




— "♦■ > ' § • 3 " ; 'j i "-^ — 

B. OLSON", a native of Norway, born 
April 6, 1818, is the son of Barry 
and Jorena(Torstenson) Olson. When 
he was eleven years old his parents came with 
three other children to America. At the end 
of one year they came to Mahaska County, 
Iowa, New Sharon being thepostoffice. They 
purchased a farm where they resided until 
1875. In 1873 T. B. came to Shelby County 
and purchased of the railroad company in 
section '6, of Lincoln Township, a fractional 
forty acres of unimproved land; the nearest 
neighbor at that time was two miles distant. 
Here he erected a small house in which he 
lived until 1883. In the meantime he had 
bought an adjoining forty acres; in 1883 he 
purchased his present home in section 13, 
Douglas Township, which was but partially 
improved; he has since placed it under good 
cultivation and made many improvements. 
He was married March 23, 1872, to Miss 
Stena Larson, a daughter of Lars and Stena 
Larson; she was born in Norway, Feb- 
ruary 25, 1852, and came with her parents 
to America about the year 1864, locating first 
in Henry County, Iowa, and afterward re- 
moving to Mahaska County. Here she met 
Mr. Olson. She died March 19, 1885; she 
was a good wife and mother, assisting her 
husband through all his early life in the hard- 



ships and struggles to gain for-them a home. 
They started in married life with comparatively 
nothing, having only a team of horses and 
willing hands. They are the parents of seven 
children — Joseph L., Benjamin F., Stella E., 
Henry M., Leroy, Albert and Amy. Tiie 
last two are twins; they are all at home. Mr. 
Olson was elected county supervisor in 1886, 
in which capacity he still serves. He is a 
staunch Republican. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F., and of the Farmers' Alliance. 
His father died in 1886, and since that time 
his mother has made her home with him. 



►3*^ 




W. COX, farmer and stock-raiser, 
resides on section 27, Harlan Town- 
® ship. He was born in Hendricks 
County, Indiana, March 6, 1843, and is a son 
of J. M. Cox, a minister well known to the 
citizens of Harlan, and Mary (Trotter) Cox. 
W. W. was a lad of seven years when his 
father went to Wisconsin, and lived there two 
years; then the family came to Jasper County, 
Iowa, where our subject grew to manhood. 
He was trained to a farmer's occupation and 
was educated in the common schools. He 
was married in Jasper County, July 28, 1864, 
to Miss Lucinda E. Woody, a native of Law- 
rence County, Indiana, who came to Jasper 
County with her parents at the age of seven 
years. Her father and mother were James 
W. and Asenath (Meglemer) Woody. In 
1868 Mr. Cox came to this county and bought 
forty acres of land and built a small frame 
house. Now things are changed; the small 
dwelling lias been replaced by a fine residence 
built in modern style, and there are 189 acres 
of land in the farm. In 1886 Mr. Cox did 
his building at an expense of $1,600; there 
are barns for stock and grain, and all the sur- 
roundings indicate the prosperity and thrift 



452 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of the owner. Mr. Cox is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He and his wife 
are the parents of .eight children — James M., 
Mary A., John M., Harvey B., William A., 
Olive Lillian, Carl M. and Laura Daisy. 
Mr. Cox has formerly affiliated with the Dem- 
ocratic party, but in 1888 he voted the Union 
Labor ticket. He is one of the leading citi- 
zens of the township, and has the confidence 
and respect of all who know him. 



[EORGE HAWLEY, a native of Sanga- 
mon County, Illinois, was born Sep- 
tember 14, 1824, and is the son of 
Pierce and Sarah (Schrader) Hawley, pioneer 
settlers of Illinois. He was reared in the 
county of his birth, and remembers the time 
when Springfield was a hamlet and Chicago 
was supplied with but one store. He was in 
his fourteenth year when his parents retnoved 
to Caldwell County, Missouri; there they re- 
mained over a year, and then on account of 
their religious faith, that of the Latter Day 
Saints, they were compelled to leave the 
State. In company with the total church 
membership they returned to Illinois, and re- 
crossed the river to Lee County, Iowa; there 
they resided three years and then removed to 
Black River Falls, "Wisconsin. There they 
lived for one year and then went to Texas. 
During their stay in Texas the first jail was 
erected in the city of Austin, and our subject 
was one of the principal workmen. Although 
reared to farm life he learned the carpenter's 
trade, and made it his chief occupation. Mr. 
Hawley was married July 4, 1846, to Ann 
Hadfield, daughter of Samuel and Mary A. 
Hadtield. She was born in England, April 
14, 1830, and at the age ot twelve years came 
to America. Mrs. Hawley died Septeml)er 
16, 1887. When Mr. Hawley was married 



his brother Johr> and his sister Priscilla were 
married with the same ceremony, at the same 
time, in the church at Austin, Texas, by 
Lyman Wright, one of the apostles of the 
church of the Latter Day Saints. After his 
marriage Mr. Hawley continued to reside in 
Texas until 1854, when he removed to the 
Cherokee Nation, and there engaged in mill- 
building for two years. In 1856 he removed 
to Utah Territory, settling in Pine Valley, 
Washington County; there he engaged in the 
saw-mill and lumber business — the manufact- 
ure of looms, spinning-wheels and reels. He 
made this his home for fourteen years, and in 
1870 he came to Grove Township, Shelby 
County, and settled on an unimproved farm 
of 140 acres. He has made all the improve- 
ments necessary to a comfortable home, and 
has placed the land, which he has increased 
to 180 acres, under good cultivation. Mr. 
Hawley is a Democrat, and has represented 
his township as trustee. For forty-five years 
he has been an elder in the church of the 
Latter Day Saints, and his family are also 
members of the same society. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hawley are the parents of eleven children — 
Martha (deceased), George C. (deceased), 
Mary L. (deceased), wife of O. E. Holcomb; 
Maroni (deceased), Gideon M., Rosina, wife 
of David Jenkins; Sarah, wife of Benjamin 
Parker; Isaac L., Joseph, Lillian E., and 
William, at home. 



fA. ALBERTUS, of Portsmouth, is a 
prominent and well-known dealer in 
" imported horses. He makes a specialty 
of English shire horses, and has spent much 
time and money in introducing valuable 
breeds into western Iowa and Nebraska. He 
has been very successful in this business, and 
is known as one of the best judges of draft 



lilOGHAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



433 



horses in the county. He and his brother 
were among the iirst to bring imported horses 
into the county; they have bought and sold 
many valuable horses, and are well known for 
their strictly honorable dealing. J. A. Al- 
bertus was born in Sauk County, Wisconsin, 
July 26, 186'3, and is the son'of F. D. Al- 
bertus, a prominent citizen of Panama, Iowa. 
In 1874 he came to Shelby County and there 
grew to manhood, receiving the advantage of 
a public-school education. In 1886 he was 
married to Miss Louisa Williams, of Ports 
mouth. The result of this union has been 
two children — Maria and Robfert G. In pol- 
itics Mr. Albertus stands with the Republi- 
can party. He is of a genial disposition, and 
has won an enviable position in the business 
circles of Portsmouth. 

I ' S i' S ' l" ""— - 



lEV. JOSEPH B. IIUMMERT was born 
in Quincy, Illinois, March 25, 1860. 
^^* He is the son of John and Elizabeth 
(Lubecke) Hummert, who came from Han- 
over, Germany, their native place, to Amer- 
ica about the year 1849. They iirst resided 
in St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1852 removed 
to Quincy, Illinois, where they still reside. 
Joseph Ij. was the fifth of a family of ten 
chiliren. His primary education was re- 
ceived in the private Catholic schools of 
Quincy, Illinois, and when he had attained 
his thirteenth year he studied one year under 
the private tutorship of Father Reinhart, of 
Quincy. He then took a thorough classical 
and philosophical course at St. Francis Semi-* 
nary, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His the- 
ology he studied at St. Mary's Seminary, 
Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated in 1885, 
and in September of the same year he was 
ordained from this institution, by his pastor, 
the Right-Rev. H. Cosgrove, at Davenport, 



Iowa. Soon after his ordination he entered 
into active ministerial work, as assistant to 
the Rev. J. C. White, at Marengo, Iowa. In 
November of the same year he was sent to 
take charge of the missions at Portsmouth, 
Panama and Earling. During the first year, 
as pastor of these missions, he resided in 
Portsmouth, and erected a church and par- 
sonage in that place. At the expiration of 
this year his residence was changed to Earl- 
ing, by the Right-Rev. Bishop, where he now 
resides. Being the first pastor sent to these 
missions, he found them destitute of church 
property. During the time he has been with 
these congregations, two churches, one at 
Portsmouth and one at Panama, have been 
erected, and a good two-story building has 
been erected at Earling, which is used for 
school and church purposes. For the present 
the church services are held in the upper 
story, and the lower floor is devoted to the 
school and residence of the Franciscan Sisters 
who have charge of the school. The scliool 
at this time numbers over 100 pupils. The 
congregation at Earling are planning to erect 
a commodious church building the coming 
year, 1890, at a cost of $20,000. They have 
an elegant parsonage, built in 1888, at a cost 
of $2,000. It has eight rooms, is heated by 
a furnace, and does credit to the congregation 
at Earling. The Rev. Father Hummert has 
labored with untiring zeal in behalf of his 
congregation, and has been repaid by seeing 
a growing interest and increasing eflbrts on 
their part in the cause which lies so near his 
own heart. 



(9 • < 9) 



HARLES ROBINSON, farmer and 
stock-raiser, was born in Champaign 
County, Ohio, July 11, 1824, and is 
the son of Asa .and Hannah (Strattan) Robr 



454 



UISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



inson, natives of Virginia and West Virginia 
respectively. Being a farmer's son, our sub- 
ject was reared to that occupation, and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools. 
At the age of fifteen years he removed with 
his parents to Iowa, settling in Jones County, 
where he remained one year, and then went 
to Cedar County. Here Mr. Robinson, Sr., 
resided until his death, which occurred in 
1862. His wife liad died in Ohio, when our 
subject was thirteen years old. Charles re- 
mained with his father until he was twenty- 
seven years old, when he was married and 
removed to Jones County, Iowa. His mar- 
riage to Miss Elizabeth T. Reynolds occurred 
March 7, 1851. She is a daughter of Will- 
iam and Nancy (Forgey) Reynolds, natives 
of Tennessee, and was born in Vermilion 
County, Illinois, September 9, 1838. Mr. 
and Mrs. Robinson are the parents of nine 
children — Nancy E., wife of John Easterly; 
John W., Hannah L. (deceased), Lincoln A., 
Laura A., wife of George Casey, Clemence 
M., wife of Horatio Sykes; Eliza, wife of 
Asa E. White; Theresa J. and Charles A. 
Mr. Robinson resided in Jones County until 
1875, when he removed to Shelby County 
and settled on a farm of 160 acres of partially 
improved land, three miles southwest of Har- 
lan. Here he made his home for six years, 
when he purchased 120 acres of wild land in 
Greeley Township. This he has greatly im- 
proved by erecting a fine frame residence 
and buildings for stock and grain, and plant- 
ing two acres of grove. Since his first pur- 
chase Mr. Robinson has added eighty acres 
to his farm, making his farm 200 acres, all 
of which is under the finest cultivation. Mr. 
Robinson is a man of push and energy, 
which is shown by his beautiful home and its 
surroundings. He has done much toward 
the improvement and advancement of the 
county, and well deserves the position and 



respect which *lie commands in the com- 
munity. Mr. Robinson has met with his 
share of adversity. In 1860 all his pos- 
sessions, except his land, were swept away in 
the great tornado, and one season his crops 
and orchard were ruined by a hail storm, 
but despite all this his energy and courage 
never forsook him, and to-day he is enjoying 
the fruits of his labors. He is a member of 
the Republican party, and has served on the 
board of education and as road supervisor. 
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are worthy members 
of the Christian church. 



?L. STANLEY, proprietor of the pioneer 
meat market of Harlan, started the 
* business in that place in the spring of 
1871, and continued in the trade until 1881. 
He then sold the business and engaged in 
farming in Jackson Township until 1887, 
when he returned to Harlan and re-engaged 
in this occupation. This market affords an 
excellent assortment of all kinds of meat, fish 
and vegetables in tlieir season. Mr. Stanley 
has a good trade which he has won by fair 
and upright dealing. The subject of this 
notice was born in Louisa Couuty, Iowa, June 
12, 1837, and is the son of T. J. and Rachel 
(Hoskins) Stanley, natives of Virginia and 
Ohio respectively. The parents were among 
the first settlers of Louisa County, and when 
J. L. was five years old they removed to 
Whiteside County, Illinois, in which place 
he w'as reared and educated. In 1860 he re- 
'turned to Jefl'erson County, Iowa, and there 
resided until he came to Harlan. Mr. Stan- 
ley was married in 1864 to Miss Lucinda 
Hodgen. They are the parents of nine chil- 
dren — Henrietta, Lemuel, James, Isaac, 
Charles, Elizabeth, John, Elsie and a baby 
girl. In politics Mr. Stanley affiliates with 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



457 



the Democratic party. He and his, wife are 
members of the Cliristian church. 



SllEDEKICK W. LOEHE, farmer and 
stock-raiser, and dealer in agricultural 
implements at Earliiig, under the firm 
name of Loehr & Langeufeld, has been iden- 
tified with the interests of Shelby County 
since 1873. He was born in Fond du Lac 
County, Wisconsin, January 26, 1850, and is 
the son of Quirin and Dora T. (Strabul) 
Loehr, nati\'es of Prussia. The father came 
to America when eighteen years old, and the 
mother came when about fifteen years of age_ 
They were both reared in Wisconsin, and 
after their marriage settled in Fond du Lac 
County, where Mr. Loehr engaged in the 
mercantile business. The youth of our sub- 
ject was spent on the farm, in the store and 
iu the common schools, where he received his 
early education; he afterward attended Call- 
away College. He resided with his parents 
until his marriage to Annie May Langenfeld, 
which occurred in November, 1872. The fol- 
lowing spring he came to Iowa and purchased 
830 acres of wild land in Westphalia Township; 
then there was but one house between Har- 
lan and Galland's Grove. He returned home 
the following year and moved his family to 
the county. He built a shanty, and broke 
forty acres of ground the first year; thus the 
improvement of his farm began, and by liard 
work and good management he has one of the 
finest farms in the county. In early days 
Mr. Loehr had to haul his grain to and drive 
his live stock to Shelby, Avoca, or Dunlap; 
at the latter place he has received 17 cents 
a bushel for corn, and 2 cents per pound 
for hogs. Mr. Loehr pursued the occupation 
of farming and stock-raising until the fall of 
1888, when he engaged in the sale of farm- 



ing implements. Mr. and Mrs. Loehr are the 
parents of seven children — Quirin E., Dora, 
Jacob, Johannah, Nicholas, Catharine and 
Mary. He and his wife are members of the 
German Catholic church and attend the serv- 
ice at Westphalia. Mr. Loehr has served as 
township trustee, and on the board of school 
directors. Several times he has been elected 
to the office of justice of the peace, but never 
qualified. He was elected first trustee of the 
township. In the fall of 1887 he was elected 
supervisor of the county, and is the present 
incumbent of the office. 




C. POTTER was born in Whiteside 
County, Illinois, Sep.tember 22, 1854, 
and is a son of Martin and Salina 
(Perry) Potter, natives of the State of New 
York. He was reared and educated in his 
native county. September 2, 1875, Mr. Pot- 
ter was married to Miss Ph(i?be Richmond, 
daughter of Daniel Richmond. The result 
of this union is five children — Wyman, Edna, 
Glenn M., Hazel K. and Grace. Mr. Polter 
is proprietor of one of the leading blacksmith 
and wagon shops in Harlan; he has had thir- 
teen years' experience in the business, and 
thoroughly understands conducting it suc- 
cessfully and to the best interests of his 
patrons. He is in the prime of life, and is 
among the highly esteemed business men of 
Harlan. Mr. Potter is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., No. 267. 



'T»-»r^,«» 



J. RAMSAY, proprietor of a meat 
market on the south side of the S(|uare, 
* Harlan, deserves and receives tlie pat- 
ronage due a well-kept market. He is a 
practical and experienced butcher, and is a 



458 



UISTOltY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



popular and reliable business man. Mr. 
Ramsay was born in Maryland, March 2G, 
1852, and is the son of Hugh C. and Eliza- 
beth ( Whitford) Ramsay. He was reared and 
educated in his native State, and at the age 
of twenty-seven years emigrated to Iowa, re- 
maining in Lincoln Township, Shelby County, 
for a few months. After this short residence 
in Iowa, lie went to northwestern Missouri 
and lived there a few years. Not yet satis- 
fied with the different sections of the west he 
had visited, he went to Saunders County, Ne- 
braska, which was his residence until he came 
to Harlan in 1888. Mr. Ramsay was married 
at the age of twenty-nine years to Miss Anna 
C. Dayman, of Saunders County, Nebraska. 
They are the parents of two children — Eliza- 
beth and Raymond. Politically Mr. Ram- 
say affiliates with' the Democratic party. 



G. FAY was born April 24, 1853, in 
Tama County, Iowa. He is a son of 
l® John and Ann (Dearborn) Fay, who 
were pioneers of Tama County, there being 
only nine white settlers in the county when 
they came there. John Fay was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and his wife was born in Indi- 
ana. When R. G. Fay was five years old he 
was taken to Indiana for a time, and after- 
ward to Missouri. He lived in Clark County, 
Missouri, for several years, being reared to 
the occupation of a farmer, and attending the 
public schools. Not being satisfied with a 
farmer's calling he went to Mechanicsville, 
Iowa, and there learned the carpenter's trade. 
In 1882 Mr. Fay came to Harlan, and en- 
gaged in contracting and building, employing 
several workmen in the business. At the 
present time he is dealing in coal, agricult- 
ural implements, wagons and road-carts; he 
sells over 150 car loads of coal annually, and 



transacts a lafge business In the other lines 
of his trade. He is a live, energetic man, 
and is one of the pushing citizens of Harlan. 
Mr. Fay was married in 1882 to Miss Catha- 
rine Miller. 



AMUEL SLATES, a native of Carroll 
County, Ohio, born November 12, 1826, 
is the son of Conrad and Hannah (Funk) 
Slates, both natives of Virginia. He was 
reared on a farm and was educated in the 
common schools of the day, school then being 
held in an old-fashioned school-house, built of 
logs; the educators corresponded with the 
house, being of the crudest sort. When he 
had attained his majority he karned the coop- 
er's trade, which he followed in connection 
with farming and carpentering for about 
eighteen years in Ohio and Indiana. He was 
married December 2, 1847, to Miss Mary 
Long, who died April 24, 1856; by this union 
four children were born — Jeremiah, Franklin, 
William P. (deceased), and Mary. He re- 
mained in Carroll County about seven years 
after his first marriage, when he removed to 
Putnam Coutjty, Ohio, and then returned to 
Carroll County; from there he went to Union 
County, thence to Martin County, Indiana. 
While in Indiana he met and married Lucre- 
tia Summers; she was born March 12, 1830, 
and died November 15, 1881. Seven children 
resulted from this marriage — Sarah A., John, 
Hannah, Alice, Samuel and Edward; one died 
in infancy. In 1866 he came to Siielby 
County, Iowa, with his family, and settled in 
section 18, Douglas Township, on an eighty- 
acre tract of wild land; he has gradually in- 
creased his estate until he owns 800 acres of 
Shelby County's land. He has made many 
improvements and has made a success finan- 
cially, lie was married for the third time 



lilOGliA PUWAL SKETCHES. 



459 



June 8, 1882, to Sarah Thomas. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, and of tlie 
Methodist Episcopal church. Jeremiah Slates, 
the oldest son of Samuel and Mary Slates, was 
born in Carroll County, Ohio, October 7, 
1848; when he was ten years old his father 
moved to Indiana, and afterward to Iowa. 
They settled on a wild piece of prairie land, 
and have done much to improve and cultivate 
it. Mr. Slates was reared to farm life and 
has always followed it. When a young man he 
learned the cooper's trade under bis father, 
but never followed it; he is also a practical 
carpenter, having erected all of his own build- 
ings, whicli are neat and substantial. He has 
a pleasant home, a fine farm house, and barns 
for stock and grain; he has planted a grove 
and an orchard. He has 320 acres of good 
land in sections 9 and 10, which has been 
improved mostly by himself. He is one of 
the pioneer farmers of the county, and has 
undergone most of the hardships incident to 
pioneer life. He devotes himself to farming 
and stock-raising, and his surroundings indi- 
cate that he is a man of push and ambition. 
He was married March 5, 1876, to Ida Baker, 
daughter of R. E. and Almira Baker; Mrs. 
Baker's maiden name was Riddle. Mrs. 
Slates was born in Starke County, Illinois, 
February 4, 1858. They have four children — 
George R., Richard A., Harry II. and Pluma 
E. Mr. Slates has held the office of road su- 
pervisor and has served on the school board. 
He takes an active interest in educational 
affairs, and everything tending to the advance- 
ment of the county. He is a Republican. 

^ ' 3"I ' 2 



Iv-yRANK CROUCH has been a resident of 
the State of Iowa since 1871, with the 
exception of three years spent in Ne- 
braska. He was born in Saratoga County, 



New York, August 18, 1815, and is a son of 
Samuel and Sarah Crouch. He was reared 
to the occupation of a farmer, and received 
the advantage of a common-school education. 
When there was a call for men to defend the 
flag of this nation, he enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Forty-second Infantry, Com- 
pany G, and served his country faithfully for 
one year, when he was honorably discharged. 
He lived in Carroll County, Illinois, until 
1869, when he removed to Eldora, Iowa. He 
remained there one year and then went to 
Tama City, Iowa, making that place his home 
until 1871. He then came to Shelby County, 
and engaged in farming until 1884. It was 
at this time that he went to Burt County, 
Nebraska, and resided three years. Upon liis 
return to Harlan he became the proprietor 
of the livery, feed and sale stables one block 
cast of the southeast corner of the square. 
This livery barn was built in 1880 by Swain 
& Brazee, and has room for 120 head of 
horses. Mr. Crouch keeps a good supply of 
horses and carriages, and is deserving of the 
popularity he has won. He was married No- 
vember 27, 1872, to Addie Tnrpin, of Shelby 
County; the result of tliis union is three 
children — Jessie, Earl and Pardon. Politi- 
cally Mr. Crouch afiiliates with the Republican 
party. He is a member of the G. A. R., 
Harlan Post, and is a member of the Baptist 
church. 



i^^\ 



tORENS JACOBSON, one of the enter- 
prising farmers of Slielby Township, 
came here in 1872. He was born in 
Denmark, March 15, 1844, a son of Peter and 
Catherine (Christianson) Jacobson. He lived 
in his native place until he was twenty-three 
years of age; he went to school until he was 
fourteen years old, when he worked on a 



460 



UISrOKT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



farm. In 1867 lie sailed from Copenhagen 
to Leach, Scotland, then via Liverpool, Eng- 
land, to New York, landing at Castle Garden, 
lie first went to New Jersey, where he 
worked on a farm for a time; then he went 
to Long Island, then to Connecticut, and 
from there to Minnesota, where he remained 
for a short time. His last move was to Jas- 
per County, Iowa, where he worked one year. 
With his brother Andrew he came to Shelby 
County, driving an ox team. The first sea- 
son he broke prairie, and in the fall went to 
Adair County, Iowa, where he lived until 
1872, when he came to Shelby County again. 
In 1874: he settled on the land where he now 
lives. It was wild prairie when he came 
here, but he has made a good farm of it. He 
has eighty acres, a good story and a half 
house, a barn, sheds for cattle and cribs for 
grain. Everything shows industry and thrift. 
Mr. Jacobson was married in Shelby County, 
October 24, 1870, to Miss Mary Jacobson, 
who was born in Denmark. She came to 
this country when she was eighteen years 
old. She was a daughter of Nels and Mary 
Jacobson. By this marriage eight children 
were born — Anna, Peter, Louie, Tina, Chris- 
tian and Winnie. Two children died — An- 
drew, seven years old, and Willie, eighteen 
months old. Our subject is a Republican. 
He has served as school director. He is in 
the prime of life, is kind to all, honest in his 
business transactioiis, and one of the success- 
ful farmers in the township. 



.EWIS W. FEY, a native of Franklin 
County, Indiana, was born April 24, 
1865. He is the third child of Daniel 
and Rachel Fry. His childhood was passed 
in his native county until his seventh year, 
when his parents removed to Shelby County, 



Iowa; here h^ has since made his home, with 
the e.xception of three years spent in Avoca 
and Denison, Iowa. During this time he 
was engaged in the practice of veterinary 
surgery. Mr. Fry was brought up on a farm, 
and received the training usually given farm- 
ers' sons. His literary education was obtained 
in the common schools. At the age of four- 
teen years he began the study of veterinary 
surgery, and applied himself with great zeal 
to mastering this profession. lie took a 
thorough coarse of lectures, and when he 
embarked in the profession he was probably 
as well equipped as any man entering the 
business. He practiced three years, but 
owing to ill-health he was obliged to abandon 
liis work. He then turned his attention to 
breeding and raising fine grades of live-stock. 
His thorough knowledge of veterinary sur- 
gery is of great advantage to him in this 
business. Mr. Fry's farm of eighty-six acres 
lies in the northeast quarter of section 23, 
Union Township, one-half mile west of De- 
fiance. He was married December 1, 1887, 
to Miss Cora B. Luxford, daughter of Will- 
iam and Barbara Luxford. She was born in 
La Salle County, Illinois, September 25, 
1866. They are both members of the United 
Brethren church. 

2 ' ^"^ ' ^"*" — 



fATIIER FETER BROMMENSCHEN- 
KEL, Pastor of St. Boniface Catholic 
Church at Westphalia, Shelby County, 
Iowa, is a native of Rhine District, in Prus- 
sia. He was born September 27, 1846. His 
parents were Nicholas and Catharine Brom- 
meuschenkel, also natives of Prussia. The 
father was a farmer in his native land and in 
1850 emigrated to America, first settling in 
Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois, where 
lie remained with his family two years; he 



DWORAPniCAL SKETCHES. 



461 



then moved to Cliicago. After spending three 
months there lie moved to DnbiKjue, Iowa, 
covering the distance through tlie then wild 
and unsettled country in a prairie schooner- 
covered wagon, landing in Dubuque some 
time in 1853, where the parents still live. 
After coming to this country, the father of 
our subject learned the wagon-maker's trade, 
following the same for many years. Peter 
was only four years of age when he came 
with his parents to America, so his education 
has been obtained in this country. He is 
both a German and English scholar of marked 
intelligence; his first school days were spent 
at Dubuque, Iowa, in the school of the Ger- 
man lloly Trinity Church; he also attended 
the English Cathedral school of that city two 
and a half years. These schools fitted him 
to advance rapidly in the course of study, 
which was to guide him in his eventful Chris- 
tian life-work. He then entered St. Francis 
Seminary, situated a few miles from the city 
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the autumn of 
1862, graduating from that institution in 
June, 1869. In August of the same year he 
was ordained priest by the hand of Bishop 
Hennessy, of Dubuque, Iowa. In October 
of the year 1869 he was appointed to take 
the place of Father Emonds at Iowa City, 
Iowa, having charge of St. Mary's Church, 
the latter having gone to Europe on a vaca- 
tion. He next went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
as the assistant pastor in that city, remaining 
there three months. He then served the 
church at Marshalltown, Iowa, from July, 
1870, until November, 1875, and was then 
sent to Richmond, Washington County, Iowa, 
where he labored until October, 1881; from 
this place he went to Riverside in the same 
county, serving faithfully until 1886, when he 
became pastor of his present church at West- 
phalia, Iowa. Here he succeeded Father 
Weber. During his labors at Marshalltown, 



Iowa, he built a parsonage, and had charge 
of the Catholic congregation at State Center, 
where he erected a church edifice; he also 
looked after the best interests of the Catholics 
at the Dunn's settlement in the neighborhood, 
as well as at Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa, 
and at Toledo, Tama County. While serving 
the church in Washington County he built 
a church near Riverside, and a school at 
Richmond. Since Father Brommenschenkel 
has been at Westphalia he has worked 
ardently and manfully for the cause he es- 
poused in early life — that of promulgating 
the faith and teachings of the Roman Catho- 
lic church. He has charge of a congregation 
at Harlan, Iowa, where he has been instru- 
mental in building a church. Father Brom- 
menschenkel, while strictly adhering to the 
teachings of his church, deals with men as he 
finds them, treating all witlj consideration. 
He never allows personal likes and dislikes 
to turn him from the path of duty, and by 
reason of this is a successful organizer and 
leader of his people, sharing the good will of 
all classes in and out of his church. 



,ATHANIEL BOOTH, dealer in agri- 
cultural implements, Harlan, has been 
deeply interested in the welfare of 
Shelby County since his residence here, which 
began in 1871. He is a native of England, 
born in London, September 21, 1837. He 
is a son of John and Elizabeth (Davis) Booth, 
both natives of f]ngland, who emigrated to 
America in 1849, and settled in St. Louis, 
Missouri ; here Mr. Booth died July 14, 1849. 
In the spring of 1850 the father, with two 
children, of whom our subject is the younger, 
came west to Xainsville, now Council Bluffs, 
where he remained two years, and then went 
to Salt Lake City; here he staid until the 



463 



HISTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



spring of 1860 engaged in farming. Nathan, 
iel Booth, the subject of this sketch, was 
married in Salt Lake City to Miss Sarah M. 
Kobbins, a nativeof England, and a daughter 
of Henry p. Robbins, who came to this coun- 
try when Mrs. Booth was a child. Mr. and 
Mrs. Booth are the parents of three children 
— William Nathaniel, John Henry and Jo- 
seph Osgood. In 18G0 Mr. Booth took his 
family to California, where he engaged with 
the firm of bimpson it Gray in the lumber 
business at Stockton, San Joaquin County. 
His wife died in 1868, and in 1871 he came 
with his boys to Shelby County. He pur- 
chased 137 acres of improved land in Harlan 
Township, where he resided until the spring 
of 1881, when he came to Harlan, and 
engaged in business with E. J. Tro- 
bridge, dealing in agricultural implements. 
This firm continued six months, when Mr. 
Booth bought Mr. Trobridge's interest and 
has since done an extensive business, being 
the leading dealer in agricultural implements 
in the county. Mr. Booth was again married 
March 3, 1869, to Miss Mary Ann Phillips, a 
native of Upper California, born July 27, 
1850, aud a daughter of David J. Phillips, 
who was a native of Wales, and who came to 
this country about 1848. By this union five 
children were born — Charles D., David J., 
Mary E., Charlotte E. and Nathaniel P. Mr. 
Booth served as sub-director for several terms, 
and as district treasurer of Harlan Township 
for several years. Ho was a member of the 
city council for one year, and served as 
township trustee for ten years. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge, 
No. 257; Mount Sinai Encampment, No. 
106. He has passed through all the chairs 
of the lodge. He was representative to the 
grand lodge for two years and was deputy 
grand master for one year. He is also a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, 



No. 321; and Olivet Chapter, No. 107. Mr. 
and Mrs. Booth are members of the Latter 
Day Saints church. Politically Mr. Booth 
affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. 
Booth owns, besides his extensive business, 
165 acres and otherlands in difi'erent localities. 



^ P. SILLIMAN, Deputy Clerk of the 
District Court of Shelby County, has 
'^^ been a resident of the county since 
1880. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, August 20, 1843. He is the son of 
John and Nancy (Stevenson) Silliiuan, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. For eight years he 
was superintendent of the Allegheny County 
poor farm. From Allegheny County, Penn- 
sylvania, the family removed to Columbiana 
County, Oliio. S. P. was tiie oldest of four 
children, and received his education at Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen 
he accepted a position as clerk in his father's 
mercantile establishment in New Waterford, 
Columbiana County, Ohio, where he remained 
for a number of years. In 1867 he accepted 
a position in Meiggs County, Ohio, where he 
had charge of a mill for three years. At the 
end of that time lie removed to Benton 
County, Iowa, where he acted as cashier of 
the Benton County Bank for eight years. In 
1880 he removed to Shelby, Iowa, where 
he was bookkeeper in the mercantile house 
of W. F. Cleveland for four years. By 
his long experience and thorough knowledge 
of the intricacies of bookkeeping he is con- 
sidered one of the most expert accountants 
in western Iowa, and has been employed in 
that capacity in the several county otlicesand 
])rominent business houses of Harlan. Jan- 
uary 1, 1889, he accepted the appointment of 
deputy clerk of courts of Shelby County under 
Omar P. Wyland. Mr. Silliman is a thor- 



BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCUES. 



4C5 



ouglily accurate business man, and has filled 
all the different positions mentioned in this 
notice with credit to himself and to the best 
interests of his employers. lie is well in- 
formed on general topics, and has made many 
friends in Shelby County. He is a member 
of the Masonic order, and a member of the 
Iowa Legion of Honor of Shelby, No. 10. 
Mr. Silliman was married at Tampico, Illi- 
nois, September 21, 1875, to Miss Sue GrofF, 
a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 
where she was reared and educated. They 
have one son — Robert G., born May 19, 1877. 
Mr. Silliman's father died in Blainstown, 
Iowa, in 1879. His mother still lives, and 
resides in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the 
age of sixty-eight years. 



»o» mi y 1^ 



^wf^^ 



fBRINDLEY, a member of the present 
board of supervisors, is one of the promi- 
* neiit and well-known citizens of Mon- 
roe Township. He was born in La Fayette 
County, Wisconsin, February 14, 1848, and 
is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Edge) Brind- 
ley. The parents were natives of Stafford- 
shire, England, and were married in their 
native country. They emigrated to America 
in 1844, and settled at New Diggings, Wis- 
consin. In 1848 they removed to Grant 
County, Wisconsin, where the father lived 
the remainder of his days. The mother still 
lives on the old home farm. The youth of 
our subject was passed in very much the same 
fashion as that of other farmers' sons. He 
was married September 19, 1869, to Miss 
Isabelle Catherine Clark, of Grant County, 
Wisconsin; she is the daughter of John M. 
Clark, a prominent citizen of Monroe Town- 
ship. In 1872 Mr. Brindluy came to the 
township and settled on the land which ho 
now owns. He has 240 acres of well-im- 



proved land, a comfortable house, barn and 
crib. He has a good supply of agricultural 
implements, and a windmill. Tliere is a fine 
spring on the place that will supply water to 
1,500 cattle. The farm is well stocked with 
cattle and horses. Mr. Brindley is in part- 
nership with Mr. A. Prichard in the business 
of importing draft horses. As fine specimens 
of these horses as can be found in Shelby 
County are on Mr. Brindley's place. J. 
Brindley is the leading pioneer thresher of 
Shelby County; he owns one steam thresher 
and is interested in four others. He has 
probably threshed more grain in this county 
than any other man. He is a staunch Re- 
publican and is one of the leaders of his 
party. He was elected county supervisor in 
the fall of 1888, and his good judgment is 
well displayed in this office, much to the sat- 
isfaction of the public. He and his wife are 
the j^arents of five children — Martha Jane, 
the wife of Sam Fleming; Thomas J., John 
AV., Robert Allen and Arminta Belle. 



K. RILEY, President of the Omaha 
Abstract Company, was for many 
'® years prominently identified with the 
interests of Harlan and Shelby County. He 
was born in Schoharie County, New York, 
August 10, 1852, and is a son of A. B. and 
Lois (Kellog) Riley, natives of New York, 
and of Puritan ancestry. His earlier youth 
was spent in attending school and assisting 
in his father's woolen mills. At the age of 
sixteen he entered the preparatory school at 
Fort Edward, New York, and was graduated 
from that institution with honor in 1872. 
He then entered Princeton College, and was 
graduated in the class of 1870. After leaving 
college ho went to Schoharie, New Yt)rk, and 
read law in the office of Krum & Grant 



406 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



during the winter of 1876-'77. In the spring 
of 1877 he came to Iowa and accepted a 
position as professor of mathematics in Jef- 
ferson Academy, at Jefferson, Iowa, lie re- 
mained there one term, and read law in his 
leisure hours in the office of Russell & Tolli- 
ver. He was admitted to the bar in the 
winter of 1878. After making a tour of 
southwestern Iowa on horseback, he decided 
to locate in Harlan. He purchased a set of 
Shelby County abstract books of C. M. liob- 
ins, and opened a general law, loan and ab- 
stract office. He continued this business 
uutil the spring of 1887, when he sold out 
to Hertert Brothers. During his residence 
in Harlan he was one of the originators and 
owners of The Hub, which afterward consoli- 
dated with the Harlan Herald, now known 
as the Harlan Republican. He was also 
one of the incorporators and stockholders 
and attorney for the Shelby County Bank. 
After disposing of his business interests in 
Harlan, Mr. Kiley removed to Omaha and 
engaged in his present business. He is a 
member of the I. 0. O. F., Harlan Lodge. 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. He was married August 27, 1878, to 
Miss Beta M. Hard, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of A. G. Hard, a resident of Mis- 
souri Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are the 
parents of three children — Allen K., Jr., 
Albert G. and Robert H. Both Mr. Riley 
and wife are members of the Congregational 
church. 



■-♦|-JM^'|+- 



fOHN LANGENFELD, one of the lead- 
ing business men of Earling, Shelby 
County, Iowa, was born in Prussia, May 
9, 1863. He is a son of Chris and Johannan 
(Eckes) Langenfeld, who emigrated to America 
in the year 1809. They settled in Fond du 



Lac County, "VMisconsin, and here our subject 
was reared to farm life, and obtained his edu- 
cation in the common schools. In 1885 he 
came to Lincoln Township, Shelby County, 
and here the parents still reside. In 1888 
John Langenfeld went to Earling and entered 
the employ of John Lorge, as clerk in his ag- 
ricultural implement and farm machinery 
store. He remained here until his brother- 
in-law, F. W. Loehr, and he purchased the 
stock of Mr. Lorge, and they are still in the 
business. Mr. Langenfeld is an energetic, 
ambitious business man, and although a young 
man, has already won an enviable position in 
business circles in the county. He is a staunch 
supporter of the Democratic party. He was 
married November 13, 1888, to Miss Mary 
Weiland, daughter of J. B. and Mary (Nepper) 
AYeiland; she was born in Winneshiek County, 
Iowa, October 6, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Lang- 
enfeld are worthy members of the Roman 
Catholic church. 

— S - 3 " t ' 2 — — 



i|SCAR NEFF, of Walnut, Iowa, vas 
for many years one of the well-known 
and active farmers of Monroe Town- 
ship. His residence there began in 1875, 
and continued until 1884, when he removed 
to Walnut, Iowa, where he has since resided. 
He was born in Buffalo, New York, in which 
place he grew to manhood. He received a 
fair education in the common schools. He 
was married in his native city, to Miss Har- 
riet Buss, a daughter of Daniel and Charlotte 
Buss. Daniel Buss was a native of York- 
shire, England. Some time after his mar- 
riage Mr. Neff removed to La Fayette 
County, Wisconsin, and made that his home 
until 1875, when he came to Shelby County. 
He improved 100 acres of land where Charles 
Neff now resides, and 100 acres east of the 




Vt^L/lJ fJjl^t^Mu 






BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



469 



liome fartn, l>esides other lands. He was an 
active, industrious man, and was successful 
in his eftbrts. Mr. and Mrs. Nefl" reared six 
children — Nelson, Charles W. and William 
(twins), Milliard, Oscar and Hattic (twins). 
In politics Mr. NefF is Republican. He is 
a member of the Masonic order and of the I. 
O. O. F. Charles W. Neft" is one of the active 
and successful farmers of Monroe Township. 
He was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, 
November 21, 1864, and is a son of Oscar 
and Harriet (Buss) Neff. He was eleven 
years of age when his parents removed to 
Shelby County and settled in Monroe Town- 
ship. There he passed his youth, occupying 
his time with the duties assigned a farmer's 
son and attending the common schools. He 
spent one year in Montgomery County, Iowa, 
and one year at different points in the south- 
west. Mr. Neff was married July B, 1885, 
to Miss Sarali Emeline Johnson, a daughter 
of William Johnson, a prominent citizen of 
the township. Two children have been born 
of this marriage — Mamie and Walter. Mr. 
Neff affiliates with the Democratic party. He 
resides on the home farm and is engaged in 
general fanning and stock-raising, making a 
specialty of draft horses. He is frank and 
genial in his disposition, and has many 
friends in the township. 




C. CAMPBELL, the editor and pro- 
I'f, prietor of the Harlan T'rihune, was 
[** born September 28, 1855, in Bruns- 
wick, Australia; this town now forms a part of 
the city of Melbourne. On April 17, 1859, h is 
parents sailed from the port of Melbourne on 
the ship Indian Queen, of the Englisli Black 
Ball Line, in command of Captain Hrewer, 
bound for J.,ivcrpoo], England. It was the 
Captain's first ocean voyage, and being igno- 



rant of the course, he made a run of twenty- 
four hours too far south while rounding Cape 
Horn. At two o'clock A. M., June 21, the 
vessel struck an iceberg, which carried away 
all the masts and rigging, whereupon the 
captain, most of the crew, and all the officers 
excepting the third mate, took to the boats, 
supposing the vessel to be in a sinkitig con- 
dition. All the boats were swamped and their 
crews drowned within half an hour after leav- 
ing the ship. The carpenter reported after a 
thorough examination of the vessel, that Jier 
hull was uninjured. When daylight came it 
was found that the ship had drifted away from 
the iceberg; temporary masts were erected, 
and in this condition, under the direction of 
a young man who had studied navigation, 
and by the aid of all on board, the vessel was 
steered for Valparaiso, South America, reach- 
ing that port in safety six weeks after the 
wreck. To the young man who directed the 
course of the vessel the passengers are indebted 
for their lives, as he was the only person on 
board who had any knowledge of the science 
of navigation. The ship's owners had the 
passengers transferred to Panama and put 
under the care of the British Consul. A stay 
of six months was made there^ during which 
time Callao, Lima and other towns along the 
coast were visited. In January of the follow- 
ing year the family arrived in England, ten 
months having passed from the beginning of 
the voyage. In London a stay of one year 
wfis made, after which the fatnily removed to 
Edinburgh, Scotland; they resided in that city 
and vicinity for the following ten years, dur- 
ing wliicli time the subject of this biography 
received a common-school education. In May, 
1871, Mr. Campbell emigrated to America 
with his parents and settled in Fremont 
County, Iowa. The year 1872 saw him 
employed as an aj)prentico in tlieotllce of the 
Sidney Union, Fremont County; this paper 



470 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



was edited by Robert Simons, and Mr. Camp- 
bell remained in his service for two years, 
when lie obtained a position in the Shenan- 
doah Reporter. In 1870 he began work 
in the Atlantic Telegraph office; this jonrnal 
was edited by lion. Lafayette Yonng, and Mr. 
Campbell assisted in gettingout the first nnin- 
ber of the Daily 7e?^^?'a/>//. In the follow- 
ing January he began work for E. H. Kimball 
on the Esira Defender, published in Audubon 
County. In the following June he moved 
with Mr. Kimball to Guthrie Center, where 
the GutJiriaH^\a.s established. Later he con- 
ducted the Gvthrian for six months in com- 
pany with William Harris, under the firm 
name of Harris & Campbell. In July, 1878, 
Mr. Campbell was married at Guthrie Center, 
by the Ivev. Delano, of the Baptist church, to 
Miss Emma F. Straight. His marriage has 
been blessed with three children — May, Harry 
and Bob. In January, 1879, he issued the 
first number of the Audubon Advocate, the 
first paper printed in the town of Audubon. 
In the spring of 1880 he located at Harlan, and 
became connected with the Herald, then con- 
ducted by George D. Ross. In January, 1885, 
he purchased the Tribune of J. D. Walker; 
this paper is still under his management 
and control, and continues to be the organ of 
the Democratic party in the county. In June, 
1889, the Tribune, which had been an eight- 
column folio, was enlarged to nine columns, 
and its facilities added to by the purchase of 
a cylinder press, a feature which has added 
much to its appreciation in the town and 
county. In 1882 Mr. Campbell was elected 
recorder of the town, receiving a majority of 
121 votes; he served in that capacity one year. 
Since his purchase of the property Mr. Camp- 
bell's experience as a practical printer and 
newspaper man has enabled hiin to put the 
paper in a thoroughly sound financial condi- 
tion and largely to add to its circulation and 



influence, as wejl as to its mechanical facili- 
ties for doing all kinds of work connected with 
the business. His assiduous attention to 
editorial duties and zealous eiforts in behalf 
of the party represented by the Tribune has 
won for him the confidence and esteem of his 
party associates, and he has been chosen as a 
delegate to all the local district and State 
conventions which have been held during his 
editorial management. His aim has been to 
make the paper a trustworthy journal, free 
from scandal or sensational features, and his 
treatment of political opponents has been 
characterized by a straightforward opposition 
to their political views, and free from that 
style of disreputable personal warfare which 
is unworthy the real journalist. During his 
residence in Harlan he has been associated 
with the various social organizations which 
have sprung up, and has contributed to the 
best of his ability to their successful conduct. 
In his career as a newspaper man Mr. Camp- 
bell has been fortunate in making and retain- 
ing friends, and has made only those enemies 
that naturally spring up around the news- 
paper man ambitious to advance his political 
friends by zealous attachment to their cause. 
As a citizen he has not been found wanting 
in the influence of his pen, and the contribu- 
tion of his means to advance the interests of 
the town and county. 

«■■ 'i j^ ' l i n » ? 



fOIIN SCHILTZ, a citizen of Lincoln 
Township, Shelby County, was born in 
Luxemburg,Germany, November 3, 1827. 
He is a son of Frederick and Anna Mary 
(Wier) Schiltz. He attended school until he 
was fourteen years of age and then assisted 
his father on his farm and in the lime kiln. 
In 1852 he embarked on a sailing vessel at 
Havre, France, and arrived at Castle Garden, 



BIOQRAJPniGAL SE ETCHES. 



471 



New York, after a voyageof forty- three days. 
He went to Rochester, New York, and worked 
by the day for eighteen months; after a short 
residence in different places in JSew York he 
removed to Freeport, New York, where he 
worked in the blacksmith and machine shops 
of tlie railroad company. He saved his money 
and bought a small house and lot which he 
sold and then bought forty acres of land in 
Stephenson County, Hlinois. He then sold 
that and bought 160 acres in Carroll County, 
Illinois, where he lived until he came to 
Shelby County, Iowa. His farm contains 
220 acres, and he has a good house, a barn, 
cribs, a grove and an orchard. The place is 
under good cultivation, and is one of the best 
in the township. Mr. Schiltz is engaged in 
general farming. He was married at Free- 
port, New York, in 1856, to Miss Mary Mert 
a native of Bavaria, Germany, and a daughter 
of Joseph and Mary (Sheilberger) Mert; she 
came from Germany in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. 
Schiltz are the parents of seven children — 
Michael, Terza, Anna Hare, John, Mary, 
Henry and Lena. The children have a good 
German and English education, and are well 
informed on general topics. Politically Mr. 
Schiltz is a Democrat. The family are mem- 
bers of the Roman Catholic church. They 
are among the first families of the township. 



lARAH ROUND Y is the daughter of 
William and Polly (Hedrick) Van Aus- 
dall, natives of Virginia. Mr. Van- 
Ausdall was born February 23, 1788, and 
died January 1, 1869, in Shelby County, 
Iowa. His wife was born in November, 1792 
and died in November, 1846. They were 
married in Virginia, and in 1839 they came 
to Iowa and located in Lee County, where 
Mrs. Van Ausdall died. They were the par- 



ents of twelve children, of whom seven sur- 
vive — Jane, wife of William Gaugh; Eliza- 
beth (deceased); Mary, wife of Thomas Wood- 
cock; Anna, wife of John Cachran; Malinda 
(deceased); Margaret Sims (deceased); Cor- 
nelius (deceased); Leanah, wife of Chauncey 
Williamson; Martha, wife of George Oman; 
Sarah Roundy, the subject of this notice; Su- 
sannah (deceased), and William II., residing 
in San Antonio, California. Mr. Van Aus- 
dall was reared a farmer and followed this oc- 
cupation successfully through life. He came 
to Shelby County in 1850, bringing his 
family with him, settling at Gailand's Grove; 
there he spent the latter part of his life. He 
figured very prominently in the early politi- 
cal history of the county; he was the first 
judge of the county, and held some of the 
township offices. He was an elder in the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
(reorganized), and took an active interest in 
the upbuilding of that society. He united 
with the church in 1832, and clung fast 
to the faith until his death. He was a 
man who did whatever he could to pro- 
mote the welfare of the community. The 
last seventeen years of his life he spent with 
his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Roundy. Mrs. 
Roundy was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, 
February 22, 1831, and came to Iowa with 
her parents when she was eight years old. 
She was married March 22, 1853, to Asahel 
Roundy, a native of Onondaga County, New 
York, who was born September 10, 1828. 
He came to Shelby County in 1850, and 
there lived theremainderof his days; he died 
June 6, 1879. His first venture in real 
estate was a claim of 160 acres in section 20, 
Grove Township; there he and his wife com- 
menced life together. They struggled through 
the early history of the county, fearlessly 
facing the hardships met with by all pioneers. 
They improved their land and increased their 



473 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



possessions until at the time of Mr. Roundy's 
death tliey owned 300 acres, all of which is 
highly improved. They have done their share 
in promoting tiie interests and welfare of the 
county. Through their many deeds of kind- 
ness and hospitality tliey have become en- 
deared to a large circle of friends. Mr. 
Roundy was noted forhis honorable and square 
dealing. He had few equals as a neighbor, 
and as a husband and father he was kind, 
faithful and true. He held positions of honor 
and trust among the people, and his death 
was mourned by a large circle of friends. 
His place is one that can not easily be filled. 
Mr. and Mrs. Roundy were the parents of 
ten children — Mary, wife of James Laing; 
Anna (deceased); Martlia, wife of J. M. Frank- 
lin; Artimicia, at home; Frances, wife of J. 
C. Hardman; Sophia, at home; Wflliain U., 
residing in Grove Township; Forest Rose 
and Lillie A., at home; Alma (deceased). 
The family are members of the reorganized 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
Sophia and Martliy have been successfully 
engaged in the profession of teaching. 



"' •'^ % ' 1 >> 1 ' % 

^LFRED JACKSON, an old settler of 
Grove Township, was born in Van 
Bnren County, Iowa, July 9, 1841. 
He is the son of Lewis and Margaret (Cran- 
dall) Jackson, natives of Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio, and pioneers of Iowa. Lewis Jackson 
is still living in Monona County, Iowa, at 
the advanced age of eighty-one years. His 
worthy wife has been deceased a number of 
years. They were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, three of whom are still living — Sarah 
Willson, of Monona County; Mary J. Tacy, 
residing in Dunlap, and Alfred, the subject 
of tliis sketcli. Wiien Alfred Jackson was 
about seven years old his parents came to 



Shelby County,, Iowa, and settled in Gal- 
land's Grove, Grove Township. His father 
was one of the pioneer settlers, and made 
Shelby County his home for thirty-five years. 
He itnproved three farms in the township, 
and was very prominently identified with the 
early political history of the county. He 
was a member of the Democratic party. He 
was a great hunter, and was very familiar 
with the surrounding country. He was an 
elder in the cliurch of the Latter-Day Saints. 
Alfred Jackson is the oldest settler now 
living in Grove Township. He was reared 
there and received his education in the old 
log school-houses of pioneer days. He was 
married to Miss Martha M. Holcomb, daugh- 
ter of O. E. and Sallie Holcomb, who was 
born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, June 20, 
1849. They are the parents of nine chil- 
dren — Nettie A., engaged in teaching; Wil- 
lard L., Almond F., Andrew L., Frederick 
F. and Dora M., all at home. Corda, Lewis 
and Claudie W. are deceased. The first in- 
vestment he made was in forty acres in sec- 
tion 25, Grove Township. He has added to 
his farm until he now has 120 acres which 
he has placed under good cultivation. Polit- 
ically Mr. Jackson is non-partisan, casting 
his vote for the man best fitted in his esti- 
mation to fill the ofiice. The family are 
members of the Latter-Day Saints church. 
Mr. Jackson enlisted in the service of liis 
country, in Company F, Thirteenth Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, November 5, 1864, and 
was honorably discharged at the close of the 
war. 

— ' • '^^ ^^ ' ; • g 



IIERCE HAWLEY was born in Ver- 
mont, near Lake Champlain, November 
14, 1789, and is the son of Gideon and 
Levina (Darrah) Hawley, natives of Connecti- 



BIOGRAPHIGAL 8 K ETC HE 8. 



473 



cut and Nova Scotia respectively. Pierce 
Hawley was reared to the occupation of a 
farmer, which he followed through life. He 
resided in his native State until his twenty- 
seventh year, when he came as far west as 
White County, Illinois. There he met Miss 
Sarah Schrader, and was married to her July 
4, 1822. She was the daughter of Jacob and 
Mary (Wolf) Schrader, the lather being a 
native of Germany, and the mother of Penn- 
sylvania. Sarah Hawley was born in Knox 
County, Tennessee, June 3, 1800, and lived 
in the State of her birth until she was four- 
teen years old. Her parents then came to 
Indiana and resided ttere four years; at the 
end of that time they removed to Illinois and 
settled in Lawrence County. After she and 
Mr. Hawley were married they continued to 
reside in White County for a short time. 
They then removed to Sangamon County, 
Illinois, and lived there four years. Thence 
they removed to Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi- 
nois, and resided there one year. They con- 
tinued their residence upon the frontier, 
making a change whenever there seemed a 
chance of improving their fortunes. About 
the year 1839 they came to Iowa and settled 
in Lee County. There they remained until 
1845, when they went to Texas and made 
their home there until 1853. The following 
seven years were spent in the Indian Terri- 
tory, where Mr. Hawley died August 16, 
1858. The family returned to Grove Town- 
ship, Shelby County, where Mrs. Hawley 
makes her home with her son, Gideon Haw- 
ley. Pierce Hawley and wife were the 
parents of ten children — Mary (deceased), 
George, John, Aaron (deceased), William, 
Priscilla, widow of John Young; Isaac, 
Henry (deceased), Levina (deceased) and 
Gideon. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were mem- 
bers of the Latter-Day Saints church. Mr. 
Hawley was a soldier in the war of 1812, 



and also in the Black Hawk war. Mrs. 
Hawley, although at the advanced age of 
eighty-nine years, has excellent health and 
retains full possession of her mental facili- 
ties. Gideon Hawley is the youngest of a 
family of ten children of Pierce Hawley and 
Sarah (Schrader) Hawley. He was born in 
Lee County, Iowa, April 21, 1842. When 
he was three years old his parents removed 
to Texas, and resided there until he was 
eleven years old. They then went to the In- 
dian Territory, and lived there seven years, 
at the end of which time they returned to 
Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shell)y 
County. Gideon Hawley was reared to the 
life of a farmer and stockman, and received 
a very limited education in the common 
schools. He has supplemented these narrow 
opportunities hy the cultivation of a naturally 
observing mind, and has secured a good fund 
of information. At the age of sixteen years 
he began life for himself, taking his widowed 
mother under his care. After coming to 
Shelby County, in 1861, he rented land for 
one year; he then bought twenty acres on 
section 11, Grove Township, which he made 
his home for six years. He then purchased 
forty-five acres in the same section and built 
a house and made other improvements, and 
moved to this place. He afterward purchased 
eighty acres in section 13, and later an ad- 
joining forty acres, which he improved. In 
1876 Mr. Hawley bought eighty acres of 
land in section 7, Union Township; he after- 
ward made additional purchases until he now 
owns 240 acres, which he has improved to a 
high degree. In 1879 he removed to this 
farm, having disposed of his property in 
Grove Township. Mr. Hawley is one of the 
leading stock men in Shelby County, having 
followed the business of buying and shipping 
for ten years. He is a staunch Democrat, 
taking an active interest in the welfare of his 



/ 



474 



HISTORY OP SnBLBT COUNTY. 



party and the spreading of its principles. In 
1882 lie erected a livery barn on Main street, 
Defiance, which was destroyed by fire in 
June of the same year; he also erected a 
livery barn on Second street. Defiance, the 
same year. He owned a livery barn in 
Persia, Iowa, which he sold in 1889. From 
1864 to 1870 Mr. Hawley followed teaming 
and breaking prairie in connection with his 
farming. In 1862 he enlisted in the State 
Militia of Iowa, serving four months. He 
was then discharged to go south, but was 
taken sick in March of 1863, and was dis- 
abled from further service. March 28, 1864, 
he was married to Miss C. Mary Ilolcomb, 
daughter of O. E. and Sallie Ilolcomb, who 
was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, De- 
cember 15, 1842. They are the parents of 
six children — Lovina (deceased), Nellie J., 
engaged in school work; Priscilla Adelle, 
Willard A., Carl H. and Chloe C. The fam- 
ily are members of the Latter-Day Saints 
church. 



fHOMAS COOK, deceased, late of Cass 
Township, Shelby County, Iowa, was a 
well-known and highly respected citi- 
zen. He was born in Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, May 20, 1830, and is a son of 
Jesse and Ann (White) Cook. Jesse Cook 
was born February 15, 1800, and Ann Cook 
was born October 15, 1800. Anthony Cook 
came from England with William Penn; his 
son, John Cook, was the father of Jesse Cook, 
who was the father of Thomas Cook, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The Cooks were the first 
to discover coal in that part of Pennsylvania, 
and all were prominent in the coal mining of 
that region. The mines were known as the 
Cook vein of coal, which was discovered by 
John Cook when he was digging for a rabbit. 



Thomas Co(5k was married in Pennsylvania 
in November, 1851, to Miss Mary Alloway, 
who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylva- 
nia, November 3, 1829. She was the daugh- 
ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Anderson) 
Alloway. They reared two children — Mag- 
gie Horton, of Portsmouth, and John A. Cook. 
Thomas Cook improved eighty acres of land, 
upon which he lived until death. In politics 
he was inclined to the principles of the lie- 
publican party. He was a member of the I. 

0. O. F., Lodge No. 579, of Broad Top, Penn- 
sylvania, and joined the lodge at Shelby, in 
1876. He was a chief patriarch of the order; 
he represented his lodge at Wilkes Barre, 
Pennsylvania, at the session of the State 
grand lodge; he also visited tiie sovereign 
grand lodge at the Centennial in Philadel- 
phia in 1876. He represented the Shelby 
Lodge at Des Moines and Cedar Papids, Iowa. 
Thomas Cook departed this life November 21, 
1887; his wife died May 15, 1886; she was a 
memberof the Church of God. John A. Cook, 
an active citizen of Cass Township, was born 
at Broad Top, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1857. 
He was reared in his birtliplace, and received 
a good education at the Fulton Institute. He 
assisted his father in the coal business lor 
some time, and came west when the family 
came to Shelby County. He spent one season 
in Wyoming Territory, near Fort Laramie, at 
which time he was in the employ of G. H. 
and J. S. Collins. At one time he was in the 
employ of W. F. Cleveland, in Shelby. He 
was married February 14, 1882, at Wells' 
Tannery, Pennsylvania, to Miss Nettie Hor- 
ton, a daughter of David and Susan ( Wishart) 
Horton; she was born in Pennsylvania, May 

1, 1861, and spent a part of her girlhood in 
the place of her birth. On coming to Iowa 
her parents settled in Lucas Co.unty, remain- 
ing four years and then returned to Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of 



BIOGHAPHICAL SKBTGUBti. 



477 



three cliildreii living — Jesse W., Ora JVl. and 
Harry Ernest. Clare Chester died at the age 
of six months. Mr. Cook has umisual ability 
as a musician; he is a member of the Rink's 
Cornet Band, and at the age of thirteen years 
was the leader of the Broad Top City Band. 
In politics he is a Republican. He is a man 
well informed upon general topics, of a genial 
disposition, and worthy of the regard in which 
he is held. 



H. TINGLE, Recorder of Shelby 
County, was born in Muskingum 
^® County, Ohio, October 20, 1862. ~^ He 
is son of W. J. Tingle, of whom special men- 
tion is made elsewhere in this volume. He 
was ten years old when his parents came to 
Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shell)y 
County. Here he was reared on a farm and 
received his early education at the district 
school. He afterward attended JJailey's Busi- 
ness College at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in 
tiie fall of 1882. He resided with his par- 
ents until he was twenty-three years old, 
when he accepted the position of deputy 
recorder under B. B. Mastick, where he re- 
mained over three years. In the fall of 1886 
he was elected to the ofKce of recorder, and 
was re-elected in 1888, and is the present 
incumbent. Mr. Tingle was married Sep- 
tember 16, 1884, to Miss Carrie B. Barney, 
a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of 
George M. and Julia (Washburn) Barney, of 
Waukesha. By this union two children were 
born — Holly B.died at one year of age; Wyatt 
B. still survives. Mr. Tingle is a member 
of the A. F. & A M., Parian Lodge, No. 
321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107. He lends his 
support to the Republican party. W. J. 
Tingle, farmer and stock-raiser, has been 
identified with the interests of Slielby County 



since 1869. He is a native of Ohio, born in 
Guernsey County, May 17, 1824. He is a 
son of John and Sarah (Dennison) Tingle, 
who were natives of Virginia, and of German 
and Irish ancestry. Tliey were among the 
pioneers of Oliio, entering government land, 
and settling in a dense wilderness, where our 
subject M'as reared. His education was ob- 
tained in subscription scliools in primitive 
log school-houses, with slab benches and 
stick and mud chimneys. His father died 
when lie was two years old, and his mother 
was left a widow, with three sons and two 
daughters. W. J. was the youngest child. 
When he was about seventeen years old he 
was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker; he served 
about two years, and at the end of that time 
he returned to the farm and managed that 
for two years or more. In 1846 lie was mar- 
ried to Miss Rachel E. Koaran, a native of 
Guernsey County, after which he resided on 
the old homestead. By his marriage two 
children were born; one still survives — Han- 
nah M., wife of Michael Eshinan, of Omaha; 
Sarah J. (deceased) was the wife of George 
H. Doughty. Mrs. Tingle died in February, 
1852, and in April of the same year Mr. 
Tingle went to California, crossing the coun- 
try with o.\-teams and taking four months 
for the journey. He went to Jacksonville 
and engaged in mining for a time, and then 
worked at carpentry. The following De- 
cember he went to Sacramento City. He 
arrived there without money, and found the 
city under water. He worked at anything 
he could tind to do. In March he left there 
and went to Nevada and engaged in mining, 
carpentry and saw-milling for over a year. 
He returned to the east by way of the Isth- 
mus, and remained in Ohio until the fall of 
1856. He was married to Miss Mary C. 
Wheelan, a native of Ohio. After his mar- 
riage he settled on his farm, and in connec- 



4:1s 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



tion with his agricultural pursuits he engaged 
in the manufacture of salt. Here he lived 
for eight years. In 1869 he sold out and 
came to Shelby County, and purchased 320 
acres of unimproved land — a part in Gal- 
' land's Grove and a part in prairie. He 
improved this place and resided upon it for 
some years; he then traded it for a mill in 
Panama, which he managed for two years and 
then sold out. In the fall of 1888 he moved 
one mile and a half from Dunlap. They are 
the parents of seven children, six of whom 
still survive — William E., of Grove Town- 
ship; George W., studying for the ministry 
of the Methodist Episcopal church; A. H., 
recorder; Charles E., Alfretta and Joseph S. 
One died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Tingle 
are members ot the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He is a member of the A. F. & A. 
M., Parian Lodge, No. 321. Politically he 
was formerly an old-line Whig, but since 
the organization of the Hepublican party he 
has cast his vote in its support. In 1862 he 
went to Washington Territory by water, leav- 
ing home in March and returning the fol- 
lowing October. 



aCHAKD LEYTHAM is one of the old- 
est pioneers of Cass Township, having 
come there in 1865. He was born in 
Lancashire, England, March 3, 1823, and is 
the son of John and Eleanor (Singleton) Ley- 
tham. He was reared to the occupation of a 
farmer. November 12, 1848, he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Taylor, a native of England, 
and a daughter of James and Eunice (Oibin) 
Taylor. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Leytham 
sailed from Liverpool to America; they landed 
at Boston and proceeded to Canada, but re- 
mained thereonly a short time comparatively. 
In the spring of 1856 they removed to Omalia, 



Nebraska. Qhiaha then had a few shanties, 
one hotel, the Douglas House, a small board- 
ing-house called Little Ireland, and lots of 
whisky. A three days' residence in Omaha 
satisfied Mr. Leytham and his wife, so they 
went to Florence, Nebraska, six miles north of 
Omaha, where they were among the first set- 
tlers. They built them a home, and remained 
there nine years. In 1865 they came to Shelby 
County, and Mr. Leytham bought sixty acres 
of land, ten of which were broken; there was 
a log-cabin on the place, and there was no 
other between Cass Township and Harlan. 
Mr. Leytham now owns 220 acres of well- 
improved land, stocked with a large number 
of cattle and horses. Mr. and Mrs. Leytham 
are the parents of fifteen children, nine of 
whom are living — John, Thomas, Eleanor, 
Robert, Richard, Ann Jane, Sarah, Eunice 
and William; those deceased are — Eunice, the 
first child so called, Elizabeth, James, Maggie, 
Samuel and Charles. The parents are mem- 
bers and zealous supporters of the Latter-Day 
Saints church, Mr. Leytham being a teacher 
in the church. He and his wife were brought 
up in the Church of England, but changed 
their views after coming to America, and 
united with the church of the Latter-Day 
Saints. In politics Mr. Leytham is inclined 
to the principles of the Democratic party. 
He is a good conversationalist, genial in his 
disposition, and an honored and respected 
citizen of Cass Township. 

— ■•^^ :": - | ' - - — 




EORGE R. EVANS, a successful farmer 
of Cass Township, was born in Canada, 
October 4, 1857. He is a son of Thomas 
and Emily (Moberts) Evans. The father is a 
native of Wales, and the mother was born in 
Vermont; they were married in Pennsylvania, 
and then went to Canada. George R. was 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKErCUES. 



479 



seven years of age when his parents removed 
to Jackson County, Iowa. There he grew to 
Tnanhood, receiving the practical training of 
a farmer's son, and attending the common 
schools. The parents still live in Jackson 
County. Mr. Evans was married in January, 
1880, to Miss Martha Blakely, a daughter of 
James K. and Anna (McGanghy) Blakely. 
After his marriage Mr. Evans resided in 
Jackson County until 1881, when he came to 
this county and bought his present farm of 
160 acres. The land was under cultivation, 
but since it was purchased by Mr. Evans it 
has undergone quite a change; there is a good 
dwelling house, a barn, sheds for the protec- 
tion of live-stock, an orchard, and a grove, 
all bespeaking the thrift, energy and enter- 
prise of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are 
the parents of iive children — Anna, James, 
Maud, Mary and Willis. Mr. Evans holds 
the political sentiments of the Republican 
party. He is in the prime of life, of a robust 
constitution, genial in his disposition, honor- 
able in business, and is numbered among the 
reliable men of Cass Township. 






|K..(E[ARLES TESKE, physician and sur- 
^x\ g^*^"^' Portsmouth, Iowa, was born in 
Germany, January 17, 1849. He is a 
son of Charles and Louisa (Iloltz) Teske. He 
attended the public schools of his native 
country until he was eighteen years of age, 
and in 1867 commenced the study of medi- 
cine under Professor Budge, a popular and 
well-known German physician. He was grad- 
uated in medicine from the University of 
Greifswald in 1870. During the Franco- 
Prussian war he was Assistant Surgeon, and 
had mucli experience in the hospitals and on 
the battle-fields. After the close of the war 
Dr. Teske emigrated to America, and settled 



in Johnson County, Kansas, residing there 
until 1874. He then came to Glen wood, 
Iowa, and remained there two years. In 
1876 he went to Avoca, Iowa, and after a 
residence there of five years he removed to 
Mineola, Iowa. He lived there nntil 1884, 
when he came to Shelby County, Iowa, and 
settled in Portsmouth. The Doctor is a well- 
read mail and very successful. Dr. Teske 
was married at Belton, Missouri, in 1873, to 
Miss Elizabeth Willcut, of Aubrey, Kansas. 
She was born in low^, but was reared and 
educated in Kansas. The result of this mar- 
riage has been six children — Oscar, Nora, 
Charles, Rudolph, Arthur and Lulu. 

ffOIIN HIGGINS was born in Crawford 
I County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1834. 
His father, George Higgins, was a native 
of Kent, England. He came to America at 
the age of thirty years, and was married in 
Crawford County, Pennsylvania, to Phoebe 
Allen, a native of JStew Jersey. Her grand- 
sire was one of the Revolutionary soldiers 
known as minute-men. George Higgins and 
wife had two children — John, the subject of 
this notice, and Mary, wife of John Arm- 
strong, residing in Crawford County, Penn- 
sylvania. The parents both died at the age 
of seventy 3'ears. John Higgins was reared 
to the life of a farmer. He was married De- 
cember 25, 1855, to Miss Louisa Reynolds, a 
native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of John and Nancy Reynolds, 
who were cousins and lived in Pennsylvania 
until their death. In 1869 Mr. Higgins re- 
moved to Houston County, Minnesota, and 
remained there for six years. He then came 
to Cass Township, Shelby County, Iowa, and 
bought 290 acres of wild land. He was among 
the first settlers, as there were only thirty 



480 



Hiarour of suelbt county. 



voters in the township. He has increased 
his farm to 410 acres, all of which is well 
improved. All his surroundings indicate 
thrift and prosperity, and he is considered 
one of the successful farmers of the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have live children — 
William, a successful teacher and fanner; 
George J., Charles F., Ephraim Ellsworth 
and Eliza Jane. Mr. Higgins is a Republi- 
can and has been othcially identified with his 
township as a member of the school board. 
He is a very strong man, physically, is well 
preserved, and is thorougiily honorable in all 
his business transactions. 

■» » ■ : ■ 3 . . fg .'-^ 



M. WILLIAMS is a well-known, promi- 
nent citizen of Cass Township, of 
l® which he has been a resident since 
1876. He was born in Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, January 8, 1829, and is a son 
of Thomas and Jane (Bell) Williams, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. George M. was a 
lad of twelve years when his parents removed 
to Knox County, Ohio; there he grew to 
manhood, passing much time in agricultural 
pursuits, and taking advantage of the limited 
opportunities afforded by the public schools. 
He was married October 24, 1850, to Miss 
Mary A. Gant, a native of Loudoun County, 
Virginia, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Andrews) Gant, natives of Virginia, and mem- 
bers of old families of that State, of Holland- 
ish ancestry. Mrs. Williams was four years 
of age when her parents went to Knox County, 
Ohio, where she was reared and educated. 
After their marriage they continued to reside 
in Knox County until 1858, when they came 
to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled near 
Iowa City. They made this their home until 
187G, when they came to Shelby County. 
When there was a call for men in the late 



civil war, Mr. Williams enlisted in August, 
1862, in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, Company E. He enlisted as a pri- 
vate, was promoted to Sergeant, and later 
was made Second Lieutenant. He took an 
active part in the expedition up White River, 
the siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills. He was honorably discharged in 
January, 1864. On coming to Shelby County, 
Mr. Williams bought 160 acres of wild land, 
and has made later purchases until he now 
owns 1,000 acres. The farm is one of the 
best cultivated and improved in Shelby 
County, having a fine residence, and barns, 
cribs and sheds; there is also a windmill, 
supplying water wherever desired. Mr. Will- 
iams makes a specialty of raising cattle, and 
is one of the most extensive breeders in 
Shelby County. He and his wife are the par- 
ents of six children — Emeline V., wife of 
Robert Kuhn; Flora J., wife of N. M. Pettit; 
Capitola, wife of A. G. Wolfbarger; John C, 
George F. and Thomas. Mr. Williams sup- 
ports the issues of the Republican party. He 
is a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates 
Post, of Shelby, Iowa. He is a man well 
informed upon general topics, honorable 
and upright in all his dealings, and held in 
high esteem and respect by all who know him. 



K. PRATT, Assistant Cashier of the 
Harlan Bank, was born in Essex, Mid- 
"* dlesex County, Connecticut, October 7, 
1859, and is the son of E. W. and Cornelia 
M. (Doane) Pratt, natives of the State of 
Connecticut. At the age of sixteen he left 
the Hartford High-school, in which institu- 
tion he received a liberal education, and went 
to sea. After a year's service on the Black 
Ball line of ocean packets he returned to the 
Hartford High-school, and remained there 



BIOaRAPHICAL SKETUHBti. 



481 



until his graduation. Possessed of the rest- 
less and adventurous spirit of youth, Mr. 
Pratt was desirous of tasting the experience 
of western life; so he made a trip to Ne- 
braska and remained for some time in West- 
ern, Saline County. From that point he 
came to Harlan, and obtaining the position 
of assistant cashier in the bank of C. J. and 
D. M. Wyland, known as the Harlan Bank, 
he concluded to remain here. For the past 
ten years he has held this position, which is 
sufficient evidence of his ability and faithful- 
ness. Mr. Pratt was married in January, 
1887, to Miss Ella Noble, a daughter of 
Peter and Susan Noble, of Harlan. Mr. 
Pratt is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, 
A. F. & A. M.; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, Pt. 
A. M. ; and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 
49, K. T. He is also a member of I. O. O. F., 
No. 267, and of the Encampment. In politi- 
cal thought and action he is a Republican. 



►4.^- 



fOSEPH BOARDM AN,farmer and stock- 
raiser, resides in section 25, Cass Town- 
ship. He was born in Stockport, England, 
October 23, 1834, and is a son of Robert and 
Jane (Chatterton) Boardman, natives of Eng- 
land. He was seventeen years old when his 
parents and a family of six children left the 
kingdom of Great Britain and came to Amer- 
ica. They lived in New York until 1857, 
and then came to Bureau County, Illinois, 
where the parents now reside, the father aged 
seventy-nine years, and the mother seventy- 
five years. Joseph Boardman worked for 
several years as an iron moulder in the east. 
In the beginning of the great Rebellion he 
enlisted for the defense of the flag of his 
adopted country. He' was a member of, the 
Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
Company F, and served from October 24, 

S3 



1861, until tlie close of the war. He was in 
the following battles: Fort Donelson, siege 
of Vicksburg, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, 
Rome, Georgia, and Bentonville. He was 
taken prisoner at Dalton, Georgia, and there 
saw some noted rebel Generals. Later he 
was paroled and in a short time joined his 
command. He was honorably discharged as 
Corporal, July 7, 1865. He was a musician 
and served as a fifer. He now receives- a 
pension of S4 per month. He was one of 
the gallant soldiers who went to the sea with 
General Sherman. After the close of the war 
Mr. Boardman returned to Bureau County, 
Illinois, and was married in New York City, 
November 21, 1866, to Miss Sarah Jane 
Hatherley, a native of Briston, England, and 
a daughter of Thomas Hatherley. They 
lived in Bureau County, Illinois, until 1882, 
when they came to Cass Township, Shelby 
County. Mr. Boardman bought a farm of 
160 acres of John G. Clark, to the improve- 
ment of which he has devoted his whole 
time. He has erected a good residence, a 
commodious barn, having a capacity for sixty 
tons of hay, sixteen head of horses and forty 
head of cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Boardman have 
had born to them nine children, four of whom 
survive — Robert, John, Benjamin and Ruth. 
Mr. Boardman affiliates with the Republican 
party. He is a member of Dick Yates Post, 
No. 364. 



f3 » - Gl 



H O M A S L E Y T H A M, a successful 

\ft farmer of Cass Township, is a son 
p of Richard Lcytham, a pioneer of the 
county. He was born in Liverpool, England, 
November 16, 1852, and was three years old 
when his parents emigrated to the United 
States and settled in Cass Township, Shelby 
County. There, amid the wild surroundings 



483 



HISTORY OF .SHELBY COUNTY. 



of a frontier life, lie grew to manhood, receiv- 
ing the limited education afforded by the 
pioneer schools. In 1880 Mr. Leythani set- 
tled on the farm vvhicli is now his home. He 
purchased 120 acres of wild land, which, by 
diligence and industry, he has made into a 
good farm. He has a small house built on a 
brick foundation which is very substantial. 
He has provided for future comfort in setting 
out small fruits, planting a grove and an 
orchard. He lias sheds and stables for the 
protection of live-stock. The farm is well 
watered throughout, making it one of the 
most desirable stock-farms in the neighbor- 
hood. Mr. Leythani also owns 100 acres iu 
sections 29 and 32, Cass Township, which he 
uses for pasture land. October 16, 1879, 
Mr. Leytham was united in marriage to Miss 
Anna E. Asquith, a native of Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of William and Anna D. As- 
quith. William Asquith died in CassTown- 
sliip, and his widow still resides there.' Mr. 
and Mrs. Leytham have had born to them 
four children — Bertha Edith, Laura Cecil, 
Grace Delany and Nina Elsie. Mr. Leytham 
votes with the Re[)ublican party. He has 
served as constable. He is a member of 
Craftsman Lodge, No. 490, A. F. & A. M., 
of Persia; and is also a member of the church 
of the Latter-Day Saints. He is yet in the 
prime of life, and is a highly respected citi- 
zen of the township. 



ILLIAM HANDY was born in War- 
M wickshire, England, April 11, 1811. 
He is a son of Joseph and Rebecca 
Handy, natives of England. In 1843 he bade 
farewell to his native land and came to the 
United States, settling in Salt Lake City, 
Utah. He was married May 2, 1859, to Miss 
Martha McCaslinc, a native of Bond County, 




Illinois; she was born April 16, 1831, and is 
a daughter of Jesse and Tepe (Dunham) 
McCasline, natives of South Carolina. Will- 
iam Handy and wife resided in Salt Lake 
City until 1866, when they came to Iowa; 
they stopped for a time at Cartersville, near 
Council Bluifs, and thence proceeded to Shelby 
County. In 1870 Mr. Handy moved his 
family to his present farm; he has eighty 
acres of land which is well improved; in the 
way of buildings he has a comfortable resi- 
dence, stables and cribs; he has planted a 
grove and an orchard, and made numerous 
provisions for future comfort. The farm is 
situated two miles south of Portsmouth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Handy are the parents of ten 
children — AVilliam, Hannah, Elza, Joseph, 
Rebecca, David, James, Susan, Nellie and 
Charles. One child, Jesse, died in infancy. 
The family are members of the church of the 
Latter-Day Saints. Mrs. Handy's j)arents 
were at Nauvoo, Illinois, when Joseph Smith 
was killed. 



Kjwj. 



fONATHAN ROLAND is a prominent 
and successful agriculturist of Cass 
Township, Shelby County, and has been 
a resident there since 1877. He was born in 
Washington County, Maryland, January 22, 
1837, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Gru- 
ber) Roland, natives of Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania respectively. Jonathan was nine 
years of age when his parents removed to 
Ogle County, Illinois; there they were among 
the pioneers. The father died in June, 1855, 
and the mother still resides in the county at 
the age of seventy-eight years. Our subject 
was brought up on a farm, and divided his 
tiiwe between the duties usually assigued the 
youth on a farm and attending the common 
school. Not finding agricultural pursuits 



BIOGRAPHIUAL SKETCHES. 



483 



exactly to his taste, at the age of nineteen he 
wont to learn tlie carpenter's trade, which he 
followed many years. Mr. Roland was mar- 
ried February 24, 1859, to Sarah Cross, who 
was born in Washington County, Maryland, 
and was a daughter of Jacob and Mary 
(Struck) Cross. She was fourteen years old 
when her parents removed to Ogle County. 
After his marriage Mr. Roland remained in 
Ogle County until 18GG, when he removed 
to Marshalltown, Iowa, and worked there three 
years at his trade. He then returned to the 
occupation of his youth, farming, and con- 
tinued at that until the year 1877, when 
he came to Shelby County and bouglit 160 
acres of land. His estate now covers 44:0 
acres of the best land in Shelby County. In 
additicm to excellent buildings Mr. Roland 
has made improvements in the way of plant- 
ing a grove and an orchard. He and his 
wife are the parents of eight children — Ben 
F., Urias S., Martin O., Oliver N., Mary A., 
Delia R., Abner J. and JSettie N. Urias and 
Martin O. are successful teachers. Mr. Ro- 
land is a member of the Republican party, 
and has served on the school board. He is a 
member of the Evangelical churcli, and has 
been a steward of the same. His honorable 
and upright dealings have won the confidence 
and esteem of all who know him. 



lILEY BIRKS has been a resident of 
Shelby County, Iowa, since 1881. He 
was Ijorn in Logan County, Illinois, July 
20, 1840, and is a son of Isom and Mary 
(Lucas) Birks, natives of Missouri and Illi- 
nois respectively. He passed his youth very 
much as other fanner's sons do, and received 
his education in the public schools. When 
tliere was a call for men to defend the flag of 
this nation he responded, enlisting in August, 



1862, in the One Hundred and Sixth Illi- 
nois Infantry, Company B. He served two 
years and seven months, and was iu the battles 
of Little Rock and Pine Bluffs. He was 
honorably discharged on account of disability 
and returned to Illinois, settling in Sangamon 
County, where he lived until coming to Shelby 
County. In 1870 he went to Kansas, and 
resided in Howard County for two years, at 
the end of that time returninr; to Sangamon 
County. When he came to Shelby County 
Mr. Birks bought his farm of William As- 
quitli, one of the prominent early settlers; the 
place is one of the best in die neighborhood; 
there is a good house, surrounded with shade 
trees, sheds, cribs and barns, and all conven- 
iences for farming. Mr. Birks was married 
at Decatur, Illinois, April 20, 1865, to Miss 
Hethey J. Martin, a native of Illinois, and 
a daughter of John and Mary (McKenney) 
Martin, natives of Ohio. They are the parents 
of eleven children — Isom, Martin, Sally, wife 
of M. D. Copeland; John Frank, Mary Ann, 
Samuel, Eva Lnella, Lulu Jane, Nettie and 
Nellie (twins), Edward, and William R. (de- 
ceased). Politically Mr. Birks' opinions agree 
with the Democratic party. He is a mem- 
ber of Craftsman Lodge, No. 490, A. F. & A. 
M., of Persia. He has served his township 
as trustee, and has been a member of the 
school board. He is intelligent, well informed, 
and one of the leading men of the township. 



•♦|^«-'^^+'- 



[EORGE AV. AVALMER has been iden- 
^7! titled with the interests of Shelby County 
. i- since 1875. He was born in Lancaster 
County, J'ennsylvania, IVIay 20, 1848, and is 
the son of William and Mary (Campbell) 
Walmer, who were also natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. He was a lad of seven years when his 
parents came to Iowa County, Iowa. There the 



4a4 



UiarORT OF HHELBY COUNTY. 



father resided until death; the mother is now 
living in Cass County, Iowa. George W. 
was brought up on a farm and obtained his 
education in the common schools. He was 
married at Marengo, Iowa, December 21, 
1870, to Miss Anna Read, a native of Hunt- 
ingdon County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter 
of Hichardson and Louisa (Hoffman) Read. 
Mr. Waliner lived in Iowa County until 1874, 
and then went to Cass County, remaining 
there one year; at the end of that time he 
came to Shelby County. He owns 160 acres 
of fine land which he has improved with good 
buildings, and a grove and an orchard. Every- 
thing is arranged with an eye to convenience, 
and all the surroundings betoken thrift and 
pros])erity. Mr. Walmer devotes himself to 
farming and stock-raising exclusively. He 
and bis wife have had three children born to 
them — Iowa A., Mary L. and Lyle B. Mr. 
Walmer supports the issues of the Republican 
party. He is a member of the Evangelical 
church, and of the pioneer class of the town- 
ship. He is an active and enterprising farmer 
and is counted one of the reliable citizens of 
the township. 



fOIIN WILSON, a prominent and well- 
known citizen of Jackson Township, has 
been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County since 1876. He was born in 
Camden, Oneida County, New York, January 
9, 1829, and is the son of Francis and Cath- 
erine (Moore) Wilson, natives of Ireland. 
The parents were married on the Emerald 
Isle, and shortly afterward emigrated to 
America, settling in Oneida County, New 
York. John Wilson was three years old 
when his parents removed to Oswego County, 
where he grew to maturity, receiving a fair 
education in the common schools. At the 



age of eighteen years he went to learn the 
cooper's trade, which he followed in after 
years. At the age of twenty he went to 'Wis- 
consin and engaged in the lumber business, 
running logs from Big Bull's Falls, Wiscon- 
sin, to St. Louis, Missouri. In a few years 
he returned to New York and worked at his 
trade and at blacksmithing for some time. 
He next removed to Saginaw City, Michigan, 
and worked at his trade, and again engaged 
in the lumber business. He remained there 
a short time, and then sold his interest in the 
business and removed to Jones County, Iowa, 
where he lived until 1876, when he came to 
Shelby County. Here he has improved a fine 
farm of 240 acres. He has one of the best 
orchards in the count}', containing 550 trees, 
and has planted a fine grove. He has a good 
residence, and a barn, and all the surround- 
ings are indicative of thrift and prosperity. 
Mr. Wilson also owns a liouse and lot in 
Harlan. He was married at Constantia, New 
York, when he was twenty-nine years old, to 
Miss Emeline Phillips, a native of Oswego 
County, New York, and a daughtei' of Ca- 
misca Phillips, of a prominent Cape Cod 
family. Four children have been born of 
this marriage — George F., Jennie, Anna, and 
Arthur, who died in his twelfth year. Mr. 
Wilson affiliates with the Republican party, 
and is very firm in his convictions. He is 
frank in Ills manner, is genial in disposition, 
and is highly esteem«d and respected by all 
who know him. 



gj-ETER GUBBELS, an enterprising and 
m prosperous farmer of Cass Township, is 
a Hollander by birth, who left his native 
land at the age of twelve years. He was 
born November 30, 1849, and is a son of John 
and Martha (Peils) Gubbels, natives of Hoi- 




l/irnM ////-/^' 



& ,r .'MMl^ 



BIOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



487 



land. Four children were born toJohnGub- 
bels and wife in Holland; they are — Peter, 
Jacob, of Westphalia Township; Matthias, at 
home; John, living on section 12, Cass Town- 
ship. W. H. was born in Grant County, "Wis- 
consin, and resides at home. The family 
emigrated from Holland to the United States 
in 1862, and settled in Grant County, Wis- 
consin, making that their home until 1874. 
Tiiey then came to Shelliy County, and settled 
on wild land, which they have brought to a 
high state of cultivation. The brothers own 
160 acres in section 2, Cass Township; they 
have improved 480 acres since coming to the 
county. Their home place has a large dwell- 
ing, a good l)arn, a windmill, a grove and an 
orchard. The brothers agree in politics, all 
being Democrats. They are intelligent men, 
good neighbors and successful farmers. They 
are strictly honorable in business and have 
the confidence of the communit}'. They are 
members of the Roman Catholic church. 
John Gubbels, the father, died in October, 
1880, and his widow lives on the old farm 
with three of her sons; they are all bachelors 
and are jovial, genial boys. 

• ^ ■'i ^ ' 3nt ' | i' » » • • 



F. KELLER is a well-known citizen of 
Lincoln Township. He was born in 
I* Augusta County, Virginia, August 
23, 1849. Pie is a son of H. D. and Susan 
(Engleman) Keller The father was a native 
of Virginia, a member of an old Virginia fam- 
ily of German' descent; the mother was also 
a native of Virginia. Until he was six years 
of age George F. lived in his native State; 
the family then removed to Jones County, 
Iowa, where they resided four years. In 1859 
they returtied to Virginia and remained there 
a year and a half. Then they came back to 
Jones County, Iowa. The father was a farmer. 



and George F. was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools, 
and at Oskaloosa College, Iowa. Mr. Keller 
was married December 25, 1869, to Miss 
Mershon Ilopy, a lady born and educated in 
Jones County, Iowa, and a daughter of John 
W. and Hester (Garwood) Hopy. The father 
was a native of Kentucky, and tlie mother of 
Ohio. In 1880 Mr. Keller came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, and bought 160 acres of land 
that had been broken; however, there were 
no buildings on the place; he built a good 
house, and barns for stock and grain; he 
planted a groveof fouracres and hasa modern 
windmill that furnishes water to all the stock. 
Mr. and Mrs. Keller are the parents of six 
children — Earl L., Mabel M., George F., Har- 
mon J., Minnie E. and Fanny E. Mr. Keller 
gives his political support to the Democratic 
party; he has served as township clerk, and 
was the choice of the people in the Demo- 
cratic party in 1886 for clerk, receiving a 
vote ahead of the ticket. He is a member 
of the Masonic order. Lodge No. 321; Com- 
mandery No. 49, and Chapter No. 107. Mrs. 
Keller is a member of the Christian church. 
Since Mr. Keller came to the county in 1880 
he has been interested in politics, and all 
public enterprises find a hearty support in 
him. He has made and retained many friends 
by his honorable and upright business trans- 
actions. He is numbered among Shelby 
County's solid citizens. 



I^ENRY CUSTER (deceased), late of 
Fairview Township, was one of the pio- 
neers, having come to Shelby County in 
the spring of 1853. He was born in Ash 
County, North Carolina, April 22, 1807, and 
is a Son of Emmanuel Custer, who was also a 
native of North Carolina. When Henry was 



488 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



fourteen years of age his parents removed to 
Ohio and settled in Clermont County, where 
he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty- 
one years he went to Putnam County, Indi- 
ana, where he was afterward married to Miss 
Elizabeth Burket, who was born near Salem, 
North Carolina, and was a daughter of Abra- 
ham Burket, who came witli his family to 
Indiana when Mrs. Custer was eighteen years 
old. Mr. Custer resided in Indiana until the 
spring uf 1852, when he emigrated with his 
family to western Iowa, which a short time 
before was an unexplored prairie, and at the 
time of Mr. Cnster's settlement was occupied 
by a few hardy pioneers. They made the 
journey with horses and oxen, fording 
streams, and picking their way across the 
country, as there were but few roads laid out 
at that early day. Mr. Custer first located 
in Mills County, where he remained until the 
following March, when he came to Shelby 
County and entered 3G0 acres uf government 
land in section B of what is now Fairview 
Township; there he began the task of making 
a home in the new country when there were 
but six families in the south part of Shelby 
County. He iirst erected a log house, as- 
sisted by his son Rudy and son-in-law Lean- 
der Hack, who had settled two miles south of 
Mr. Custer's place the preceding fall. Mr. 
Custer and his iamily passed through all the 
hardsiiips and privations incident to frontier 
life. During the severe winter of 1857, owing 
to the impassable roads and streams, they 
were unable to go to mill. Their breadstuff 
giving out the family ground ten bushels of 
buckwheat in an ordinary coffee-mill, at the 
same time having 300 busliels of wheat in 
the granary. They were obliged to travel a dis- 
tance of 110 miles to mill. During the early 
days when the country was sparsely settled, 
the friend or stranger received an equally 
cordial welcome at Mr. Custer's liome. As 



the country grew and improved the log honse 
was replaced by a substantial frame dwelling, 
a portion of which was removed from the old 
town site of Simoda. Mr. and Mrs. Custer 
lived upon this farm to the end of their days. 
They were the parents of eleven children — 
John and Mary Ann died in childhood; Jon- 
athan died while serving his country in the 
late civil war atlleleiia, Arkansas; Catherine, 
(deceased); Rudy, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Abra- 
ham, Henry, Caroline and Benton C. still sur- 
vive. Politically Mr. Custer was formerly an 
old-line Whig, and on the organization of the 
Republican party he cast his vote in support 
of its issues. He departed this lite August 
27, 1885; his wife survived him until Octo- 
ber 28, 1.888. 

-■■ g . 3 .. t . ^. ..> 



fM. MALICK, a farmer and stock-raiser 
of Monroe Township, was born in 
® Northumberland County, Pennsylva- 
nia, July 6, 1836. He is a son of John Jacob 
and Mary (Miller) Malick, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. His youth was spent upon a farm, 
and in attending the common schools. At 
the age of fifteen years he secured employ- 
ment in a grist-mill, and remained there until 
the war broke out. He enlisted in August, 
1863, at the call for 300,000 men, in the 
One Hundred and Forty-seven tii Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry, Company G, and served 
one year. He re-enlistcd in September, 1864, 
in the Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylva- 
nia Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and 
served until the close of the war. He was 
in all the battles before Richmond, at Peters- 
burg, and was present at the grand review at 
Wasliington, D. C. He was honorably dis- 
charged and returned to his home. Mr. 
Malick was married in October, 1861, to Miss 
Mary Elizabeth Louis, who was born in Snyder 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCUBS. 



489 



County, Pennsjlvania, and a daugliter of 
Jacob and LSarbara (Smith) Louis. The father 
was a native of France, and the mother was 
born in Snyder County, Pennsjlvania. In 
18G5 Mr. Malick bought his present place, 
which consisted of fifty-eight acres of wild 
land. lie has made numerous improvements, 
among which may be mentioned a good dwell- 
ing house and barns; he has planted an or- 
chard, and has everything in good shape. He 
also owns eighty acres in section 17, of this 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Malick are the par- 
ents of six children — C. II. Malick, Fred A., 
Blanche, Akron, May and J. Harry. They 
all have a good education, and Fred is a suc- 
cessful teacher. Several members of the fam- 
ily are worthy and consistent members of the 
Baptist church. Mr. Malick is one of the 
wheel-horses of the Democratic party. He is 
strictly honorable in business, and his upright 
conduct has won the confidence of the com- 
munity. 



•^»-^ 



fONATHAN BULLARD, an early set- 
tler of Cass Township, Siielby County, 
Iowa, was born in Canada, November 
7, 1828. He is a son of Josiah and Susan 
(Sly)Bullard, who were married in Canada, 
and resided there until death ; the mother was 
a native of Canada, and died in 1830; the 
father was born in Vermont, and died in 1849. 
Jonathan Bullard, at the age of nineteen 
years, went to Kno.x County, Illinois, and re- 
sided there several years. He returned to 
Canada and was married at Brockvillc, Leeds 
County, September 17, 1849, to Miss Anna 
Landon, a native of Canada, born January 3, 
1831, and a daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth 
(Rissel) Landon. Her parents were both 
(Canadians 1)y birth. After his marriage Mr. 
Bullard returned to Knox County, Illinois, 



and lived there four years. He then removed 
to Lee County, Iowa, and remained there two 
years. He next spent one winter in Missouri, 
after which he came to Iowa again, settling 
in Decatur County. There he bought and 
improved a farm, and lived until 18G2, when 
he removed to Pottawattamie County, and 
settled near Council Bluffs. In 1868 he 
came to Shelby County, and bought forty-two 
acres of wild land which he has improved 
and to which he has added 120 acres, also un- 
der good cultivation. He lived in a log cabin 
until 1874, when he erected a good two-story 
dwelling. He has built all the necessary barns, 
sheds, and cribs for the care and protection 
of live-stock and grain. Mr. and Mrs. Bul- 
lard have had nine children born to them, 
four dead and five living — William D., a 
prominent stockman of Harrison County, 
Iowa; James II. Bullard, of Persia; Elethe, 
wile of A. H. Morrow; Sophrona, wife of 
A. Pelton; Charles W., at home. Mr. Bul- 
lard served in the State militia during the 
war. His political action has been taken 
with the Republican party. He has served 
as a member of the school board. Both he 
and his wife are zealous mcinbersof thechurch 
of the Latter Day Saints, and are among the 
worthy and respected citizens of Cass Town- 
ship. 



►>^ 



|ETER HERKENRATH, one of the 
prosperous farmers of Cass Township, 
Shelby County, was born in Germany, 
February 21, 1851. He is a son of Joseph 
and Gertrude Ilerkenrath. lie attended 
school in his native country until he was fif- 
teen years of age and acquired a good educa- 
tion. Durinii: the three years followintr he 
was occupied with farm work, and in March, 
1869, he sailed for America. He landed in 



490 



BISTORT OF SUELBT COUNTY. 



New York, and thence went to Keokuk, Iowa. 
In 1876 he came to Shelby County and 
bought eighty acres of land, which now forms 
a part of his farm. He has added to his first 
investment, and now has 400 acres of as good 
soil as the county aifords. Mr. Herkenrath 
has erected a good residence, a barn, and has 
planted an orchard and a grove. He has a 
modern windmill, which is a very valuable 
addition to a stock-farm. Joseph Herken- 
rath, father of the subject of this notice, lived 
on the same place; his wife died in March, 
1888, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. They 
were the parents of two children — Peter, and 
Anna, wife of Matthias dinger. Peter Her- 
kenrath was married in Keokuk County, Iowa, 
January 23, 1873, to Miss Mary dinger, a 
native of Keokuk County, and a daughter of 
Peter and Angeline dinger, natives of Ger- 
many. Mr. and Mrs. Herkenrath are the 
parents of seven children — Angeline, John, 
Anna, Peter, Matthias, Antony and Theo- 
dore. Mr. Herkenrath is a staunch and leading 
Democrat of the township. He is the present 
trustee, and has filled the office accepta 
bly. He is a member of the Eoman Catholic 
church. He is honorable and upright in all 
his business dealings, and has the respect of 
all who know him. 



- ..? . ; ■ 'I - g "- 

EOllGE BATTEY has been dealing in 
trrain and live-stock at Portsmouth since 
1882, when the elevator was built; it 
was destroyed by fire in 1887, and then re- 
built, with a twelve-horse steam-power; it has 
a shelling capacity of 1,800 bushels per day, 
or 8,000 bushels of shelled grain per day. 
Mr. Bivttey does an annual business of three 
hundred cars. He is the pioneer grain-dealer 
of Portsmoutli, and lias secured a fine trade, 
of which he is well worthy. George Battey 



was born in Rhode Island, July 4. 1837, and 
is a son of Silas and M. M. (Wilcox) Battey, 
natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island re- 
spectively. While he was still a child his 
parents removed to Bureau County, Illinois, 
where he grew to manhood. He was reared 
to the life of a farmer and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools and Lombard 
College, at Galesburg, Illinois. During the 
late civil war he served in the One Hundred 
and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
Company H. He went to the front in 1863, 
and served six months; he was stationed at 
St. Louis, Missouri; Cairo, Illinois, and Co- 
lumbus, Kentucky. At the age of twenty- 
one years he engaged in teaching, and taught 
eighteen terms in Illinois and Missouri. 
After the war he lived in Bureau County until 
1869, and then removed to Vernon County, 
Missouri, engaging for the following seven 
years in stock-raising. He then came to 
Shelby, Shelby County, and engaged in farm- 
ing until 1882, when he sold his farm and 
came to Portsmouth. Mr. Battey was mar- 
ried at Princeton, Illinois, June 24, 1861, to 
Miss Louise F. Cooper, daughter of Calvin 
and Harriet E. Cooper, of Mineral, Illinois. 
Four children are the result of this union — 
H. v., editor of the Walnut J?Mreaw/ Frank S., 
in the grain business at Aspinwall, Iowa; 
Roy C. and George. In politics Mr. Battey 
is Republican. He is a member of the G. A. 
R., and of Craftsman Lodge, A. F. & A. M., 
of Persia, Iowa. He is one of Portsmouth's 
solid citizens, and has the regard of all who 
know him. 



-SH^J- 



iEECE I. BOYD, marble dealer, Harlan, 
was born in Warren County, Ohio, 
.fanuary 3, 1850. He is a son of James 
H. and Eliza (Phillips) Boyd. His father 



BIOGRAPniCAL SKETCHES. 



491 



was a native of Franklin Connty, Pennsyl- 
vania, and the mother of Warren County, 
Oliio. In 1855 the family moved to Iowa 
and settled in Muscatine County, where Mr. 
Boyd followed agricultural pursuits. Reece 
I. was reared on a farm and received his edu- 
cation in the district schools and at the Wil- 
ton Baptist College. In 18G6 he engaged as 
clerk in a drug store at Wilton, where he re- 
mained live years. After teaching school 
one year he engaged in the drug business 
for himself at Eldon, Wapello County, where 
he remained nearly three years. In the fall 
of 1877 he went to Nebraska, and for a year 
and a half followed various avocations. He 
then returned to Iowa, settling at Avoca, and 
dealt in horses and worked at the marble 
trade until February, 1882, when be came to 
Harlan and engaged in the marble trade, in 
which he is doing a business of from $6,000 
to $10,000 per year. He has the only estab- 
lishment of the kind in Harlan, and has met 
with satisfactory success. Mr. Boyd was 
married at Avoca, May 17, 1883, to Miss 
Louisa dishing, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and a daughter of Enoch Cushing, who 
came to Iowa in the year 1870 and settled in 
Pottawattamie County. Mrs. Boyd is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational churcli. Mr. Boyd 
gives his political support to the Republican 
party. He is a member of Parian Lodge, 
No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of Harlan. He is 
also a member of the 1. O. O. F., Eldon Lodge, 
No. 28. He was made an Odd Fellow in 
February, 1872. 



(HAUNCEY WILLIAMSON, a native 
of Onondaga County, Town of Spofford, 
New York, was born May 23, 1823. 
He is the son of John and Nancy William- 
son, natives of New York. When be was 



eight years old his parents removed from 
New York to Pennsylvania, remaining there 
one winter; they then went to Monroe, Ash- 
tabula County, Ohio, and here our subject 
dwelt until he was twenty years old, receiving 
a common-school education. When he left 
Ohio he went to Oakland County, Michigan, 
remaining there about six years; here he was 
employed in various pursuits, and in the spring 
of 1850 he started to California. On reach- 
ing Council Bluffs he stopped, and con- 
cluded to remain in Iowa. Mr. William- 
son was married April 15, 1851, to Miss 
Elizabeth J. Listen. Seven children were 
born to them — George H., Matilda (de- 
ceased), Henry (deceased), John, Nancy, 
wife of David Baughman; Mary, wife of C. 
A. Beebe, and David. Mrs. Williamson was 
called to the other life in October, 186!>, 
at the age of thirty-nine years. Mr. William- 
son was again married February 22, 1872, 
to Leanah, the widow of Milton M. Beebe, 
and daughter of William and Polly (Headrick) 
Van Ausdell. She was born in Lawrence 
County, Ohio, May 29, 1826, and was married 
to Milton M. Beebe in Lee County, Iowa, in 
1850. They resided in Shelby County from 
1851 until 1857, and during this time Mr. 
Beebe figured quite prominently in business 
and political circles of the county. He was 
engaged in the mercantile trade in Manteno, 
and was elected the first sheriff of the county. 
In 1857 he removed to Missouri, and died 
there before the close of the Rebellion. In 
1866 Mrs. Beebe and five children returned 
to Shelby County; the children are — Luella 
G. (deceased), wife of Isaac Fauts; Georgianna 
v., wife of George Williamson; Cornelius A., 
Kate I., wife of Henry Urfer; Mary M., wife 
of Marion Hawley. Mr. Williatnson and 
Mrs. Beebe were married February 22, 1872. 
After his first marriage Mr. Williamson 
resided in Mills County, then Harrison 



492 



HISTORY OF SUELBT COUNTY. 



County, and in 1854 came to Shelby County, 
and purchased 160 acres of land in Grove 
Township, which he still makes his home. 
He has made many valuable improve- 
ments, erecting a residence and barns for 
stock and grain. Mr. "Williamson has done 
mucli toward tiie advancement and growth 
* of this part of Shelby County, and has held 
many positions of trust among the people. 
He assisted in the organizing of the school 
districts in his section. In politics his senti- 
ments find expression in the principles of the 
Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. William- 
son are consistent members of the reorgan- 
ized church of Jesus Christ, or tlie Latter- Day 
Saints, lie liaving served as priest in this 
body for twenty-six years. Tliey have been 
zealous workers in their church, and have 
done much for the religious element of the 
community, and are deserving of the regard 
in which they are held. 

■■■ i i^ . 3n; . | ...<^ 



jLBERT E. GREGG, M. D., a practicing 
physician of Panama, Iowa, came to 
^ Shelby County in the fall of 1881. He 
is a native of Westmoreland County, Penn- 
sylvania, and was born February 15, 1851. 
He is a son of William P. and Mary J. 
(Snyder) Gregg, and the oldest of a family of 
eight children. They are — Albert E., Eleanor, 
wife of George Black; .Fames (deceased), 
Jackson, John, Mary, William and Eliza 
Bell. Albert E. worked with his father in 
a woolen factory during his vacations until 
lie was fifteen years old. He attended the 
Blairsville Academy in Indiana County, 
.Pennsylvania, and prepared for the junior 
year in college. One of his preceptors was 
a classmate of James G. Blaine. Dr. Gregg 
spent several years in teaching, and in 1874 
he began studying medicine, reading one 



year undei" Dr. J. H. Crawford, of Salts- 
l)urgh, Pennsylvania. Afterward he read 
two years under Dr. T. P. Klingensmith, of 
Blairsville, Pennsylvania. In 1877 he en- 
tered Jefferson Medical College, and studied 
there one year. He then practiced one year 
under his last preceptor, and then returned 
to Jefferson, from which institution he wms 
graduated March 13, 1880. He then located 
in Pittsburg and practiced one year, at the 
end of which time he came to Carroll, Iowa, 
remaining there but a short time. For a 
time after coining to Iowa he was engaged in 
work with the engineer corps on a liranch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Ilailroad, and 
during the winter of 1880 he taught school 
and practiced medicine in Kirkman, Iowa, 
and in the fall of 1882 ho located in Panama. 
Dr. Gregg was married December 2, 1886, 
to Miss Mary R. Kinsella, a daughter of D. 
S. and Catherine (Holt) Kinsella. Mrs. 
Gregg was born in Jones County, Iowa, 
January 4, 1868. The Doctor is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He affili- 
ates with the Democratic party. 



UGH L. SNYDER is one of the intelli- 
gent and enterprising citizens of Shelby 
Township, who came here in 1877. He 
was l)orn in Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- 
vania, December 6, 1851, and is a son of 
John and Sarah (Linn) Snyder, natives of 
Pennsylvania. There were eleven children, 
of whom Hugh is the youngest. The family 
lived in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, 
until 1865, when they came to Johnson 
County, Iowa. The father lived until 1878; 
he was born in 1800. The mother lives in 
Johnson County, aged eighty-two years. 
Hugh L. was reared on a farm and recciverl 
liis education in the public schools and in the 





^^^/^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



495 



academy at Iowa City. He was married De- 
cember 16, 1875, to Miss Myra Dennison, a 
daughter of George and Susan (Ileadley) Den- 
nison. Mrs. Snyder was a successful teacher 
for twelve terms. A short time after his 
marriage he came to Pottawattamie County, 
Iowa, for one year. Tlie next year he settled 
on an eighty-acre tract of wild land in Shelby 
County, where he still lives. He has made 
many improvements, has a good story and a 
half house, and barn with basement for 
stock, a grove, an orchard, and a windmill. 
He now owns 160 acres of as line land as 
lies in Shelby County. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder 
have four children — Mabel Edith, Marcus 
Arthur, Clifton Charles and Eertlia Ellen. 
Mr. Snyder is a liepublicau, and has served 
as township assessor and on the school board. 
He is secretary of the District Agricultural 
Association. He and his wife ai'e members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a 
man well-informed on general topics, cordial 
to all, upright and honorable in his business 
transactions. Mrs. Dennison, the mother of 
Mrs. Snyder, lives with them. She came to 
Iowa in 1839, seven years before Iowa was a 
State. It was but thinly settled at that time. 
She has witnessed the wonderful growth of 
the Hawkeye State, from its infancy to its 
present state of healthy development. She 
is seventy-one years old, and is in a good 
state of health. 



HI U i y t iHt j ^ |<r tM 

JLIVER E. HOLCOMB,the fourth child 
of O. E. and Sarah (Duntly) Ilolcomb, 
was born February 21, 1841, in Ashta- 
bula County, Ohio. At the age of thirteen 
he came with his parents to Iowa, which State 
lias since been his home. He was brought 
uj) to the occupation of a farmer, and attended 
the common schools of tiie neighborhood. 



His first business enterprise was undertaken 
in partnership with his brother, II. C; they 
made a purchase of land which they sold to 
good advantage after three or four years 
cultivation. In 1872 Oliver E. bought forty 
acres of wild land which he began at once to 
improve; he erected a frame residence, build- 
ings for stock and grain, and placed the soil 
under high cultivation. He has added to the 
first small beginning until he now owns 170 
acres, all in one body excepting ten acres of 
timber. Having taken it in its original state, 
its present advanced state of improvement 
reflects much credit upon the owner. Mr. 
Holcomb's life is a fair example of wiiat a man 
can accomplish in this country, even though 
he start with nothing but ambition and a 
determination to succeed. He was com- 
pelled to endure most of the hardships that 
fall to the lot of a pioneer, but his courage 
did not forsake him, and to-day he occupies a 
position with the foremost men of the county. 
He affiliates with the Republican party, and 
has always taken an active interest in forward- 
ing the principles of that body. He has 
served on the board of trustees of his town- 
ship, and also on the board of education. 
Mr. Ilolcomb was married December 25, 
1873, to Miss Mary L. Hawley, daughter of 
George and Ann (Hatfield) Hawley; she was 
born in Texas August 15, 1853, and died 
August 21, 1888. Tliey are the parents of four 
children— George E., born January 18, 1875; 
Gertrude, Jaiuiary 2, 1877; Roscoe, October 
1, 1879, and Leslie, October 16, 1883. They 
are members of the Latter- Day Saints church. 

— ' ^ * 3 ' ' [ ' S" '" 



,ARMON C. IIOLCOMR.— O. E. Hol- 
comb, a native of New York, was born 
May 2, 1809, and December 12, 1832, 
he was married to Sarah Duntly, a native 



496 



niSTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of New York, who was born March 12, 1809. 
After their marriage tliey came to Ohio and 
settled in Ashtabula County, making it their 
home until 1853; they then started to Iowa, 
and on reaching the State stopped for a short 
time in Pottawattamie County. In the year 
1854 they came to Shelby County, and chose 
a home in Grove Township, living there the 
remainder of their days. Mr. Holcomb was 
very prominently identified with the politics 
of the county from its organization. lie was 
elected to the office of county clerk at an early 
day and filled many of the township offices. 
He took particular interest in the advance- 
ment and elevation of the educational features 
of the county. He was a staunch member of 
the Latter-Day Saints church, and was eager 
to promote the cause of Christianity, and lift 
the morals of the community. He died April 
2, 1881, and his worthy wife passed away 
October 25, 1864. They were the parents of 
nine children — Zoroaster B., Ilellen A., wife 
of Albert Crandall; Harmon C, Oliver E., 
Mary C, wife of Gideon Hawley; Chauncey 
S., Adella (deceased), Martha M., wife of 
Alfred Jackson ; Bertha A., wife of II. Wright. 
Harmon C. Ilolcomb was born in Ashtabula 
County, Ohio, November 3, 1838, and in his 
childhood came to Iowa; here he was reared 
to farm life, and obtained his education in the 
common schools. When he had reached his 
majority lie started in business for himself, 
and he and his brother purchased 110 acres in 
Grove Township, as a first venture. They sold 
this land, and Harmon C. bought eighty acres 
of wild land in the same township, which 
was the foundation of a beautiful home. He 
has made many valuable improvements, and 
has added to his first purchase until he now 
owns 235 acres, all in one body, except fifteen 
acres of grove which lie in section 10. The 
farm is one of the best improved in the county, 
and is a fair result of Mr. Holcomb's efforts 



and industry. Politically he is an ardent 
Republican. December 7, 1873, Mr. Hol- 
comb was married to Miss Nora Homer, 
daughter of B. T. and Patience (Bentley) 
Homer, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hol- 
comb was born in Grove Townshij), Shelby 
County, Iowa, May 27, 1855. They are the 
parents of two children — Mattie A., born De- 
cember 9, 1875, and Homer C, born June 2, 
1879. They are worthy and consistent mem- 
bers of the Latter-Day Saints church. O. E. 
Ilolcomb, Sr., was a stone-mason by trade, 
and was penniless when he came to Shelby 
County. He brought his trusty rifle with 
him and traded it for a cow, and from this 
profitable beginning he continued, until at 
the time of his death he was in very comfort- 
able circumstances. 

~-sH^^J-S«— 

XEXANDER BLACK was born in Pot- 
tawattamie County, Iowa, September 29, 
1849, and is the son of Curtice and Ma- 
linda (Hunt) Black, natives of Mississippi 
and Kentucky respectively. They came to 
Iowa in the year 1848, and in 1856 came to 
Shelby County; here our subject was reared 
to farm life and educated in the common 
schools. At the age of twenty-three years 
Mr. Black was united in marriage to Martha 
J., daughter of Uriah and Rena Roundy; she 
was born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 
September 6, 1850; the date of their wed- 
ding is August 18, 1873. They are the par- 
ents of ten children — Frederick, Effie, Mary 
Ann, Harry, Merrill, Rena, Mildred, Maliiida 
J., Curtice Uriah and Bertha B. After their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Black settled on an 
eighty-acre tract of land in Grove Township, 
which was partially improved; liere they have 
since made their Imme, erecting good frame 
buildings for stock and grain. Mr. Black 



BIOOIlArUWAL SKETailES. 



497 



has planted an orchard of 700 trees, which is 
one of the finest and largest in the county. 
He devotes liiniself exclusively to agriculture 
and live-stock raising, giving especial atten- 
tion to the better grades of horses and hogs. 
Mr. Black is one of the most etiterprising 
farmers in the nortliern part of the county, 
and well deserves the esteem and respect in 
which he is held. He has improved 190 acres 
of land in the most approved way, and has 
served his county otherwise tlian in his own 
personal interest; he has held the office of 
supervisor, and a membership on the school 
board. Heaffiliates with the Democratic party, 
and takes an active interest in forwarding the 
principles of that body. Mr. and Mrs. Black 
are consistent members of the Latter-Day 
Saints church, and are numbered among the 
most worthy and reliable citizens of Shelby 
County. 



(HARLES A. REED, dealer in general 
merchandise, Manteno, Iowa, was born 
in Shelby County, Iowa, July 1, 1855. 
He is the son of W. W. and Eleanor (Shafer) 
Reed, natives of Ohio, who came to Iowa 
about the year 1850 and settled in Grove 
Township; here they made their home until 
the death of Mr. Reed, whicli occurred March 
19, 1887, at the advanced age of seventy-one 
years; Mrs. Reed still survives, in her seventy- 
fourth year, and resides in Dunlap. They 
were the parents of seven children, three of 
whom were born in Shelby County. Henry 
died iu Little Rock, Arkansas, from a wound 
received in the service during the late civil 
war; he eTilisted in Company B, Fourth Iowa 
Regiment Volunteers. Hannah, Rosalthaand 
Aurilla are deceased; John W., George R. and 
Charles A. are living. Mr. Reed was a black- 
smith by occupation, but always followed 



farming in connection witli his trade. For 
a number of years he was the only blacksmith 
in that part of the country, and people came 
to him from every direction to have their 
work done. Charles, the subject of this no- 
tice, was reared to farm life, and received his 
education in the common schools. He was 
united in marriage October 11, 1880, to Miss 
Hannah, daughter of Lawrence H. and Ma- 
linda (Slagle) Landaker, residents of Wash- 
ington Tuwnship; she was born in Mercer 
County, Missouri, July 23, 1858. They are 
the parents of four children — Lawrence A., 
born December 8, 1881; Charles E., born 
September 19, 1883; Frederick W., born July 
28, 1885, and John E., born January 12, 1889. 
In March, 1887, Mr. Reed purchased the 
stock of general merchandise of Mrs. W. W. 
Reed, and is still conducting this business. 
In 1887 he was appointed postmaster, a po- 
sition which he still retains. Rolitically he 
is a Republican ; he is a member of the school 
board, and is one of the leading citizens of 
Manteno. 



-i^^-^f-^ 



fACOB IIINKLE, one of the pioneer 
settlers of Shelby County, was born in 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Jan- 
uary 29, 1808. He is a son of Joseph and 
Lena (Streeper) Ilinkle, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, and was reared in Easton, Pennsylvania, 
to the life and occupation of a miller, wliicli 
business he followed for thirty-five years, 
being in the employ of one firm for eighteen 
years, James Thompson & Son. He was 
married July 29, 1832, to Elizabeth Unangst, 
who was born in Northampton County, Penn- 
sylvania, November 19, 1813. They are the 
parents of two children — Rosina, born Sep- 
tember 15, 1833, who died October 9, 1854, 
and Joseph, who was born December 14, 1830, 



4'j8 



HISTORY OF snELBT COUNTY. 



In 1858 Mr. Hinkle and fainilv emigrated to 
Iowa, and settled on a farm in Grove Town- 
ship, wliich they made their home for four 
years. Mr. Hinkle tlien purchased eiglity acres 
of land in section 33, on which he made many 
improvements; he erected a good residence, 
and buildings for stock and grain. He and 
his son have cultivated their farms jointly, 
and have increased their possessions until 
they now own GOO acres, all in Grove Town- 
ship excepting 200acre8 lying in Washington 
Township. They have done their share in 
the improvement of Shelby County, and are 
entitled to the esteem and respect in which 
they are held in the coniuiunity. The hard- 
ships that fall to the lot of the pioneer they 
did not escape, but they encountered them 
with tlie spirit and courage that characterized 
the men and women of that day, and to-day 
they are reaping their reward. When they 
came to the county they possessed about $500, 
but by hard and earnest toil they have amassed 
a large and valuable estate. Politically 
Jacob Hinkle affiliates with the Republican 
party. Although in his eighty-second year, 
he is hale and hearty, and in the full pos- 
session of all his faculties. His worthy wife 
passed to the other life March 11, 1880; she 
was a zealous member of the Lutheran church, 
and was honored and respected by a large cir- 
cle of friends and neighbors. Joseph, son of 
Jacob Hinkle, as has been stated, cultivated 
his lands jointly with his father, and is one 
of the live, energetic jnen of the community. 
By a life of honorable dealing and integrity 
he has won the confidence of the community. 
He affiliates with the Republican party, and 
has held the office of townshi]) clerk. In 1865 
he was married to Miss Mary Smith, a nati\e 
of Erie County, Pennsylvania. They are the 
parents of six children — Anna Rose, Charles 
F., Susan E., Nellie, Earl and Pearl (twins). 
Joseph llinklc has been engaged in school 



work, having taught one of the first schools 
in the township; he received §10 per month 
for his services, and boarded around. He is 
at present a member of the school board. 



-1-^"^^ 



fj. McNAUGHTON, a native of Can- 
ada, was born October 19, 1841, and 
' is the son of Findley and Mary (An- 
derson) McNaughton, natives of New York' 
and Scotland respectively. When he was five 
years of age his parents removed to Waukesha 
County, Wisconsin. Mr. McNaughton was 
married November 24, 1868, to Miss Malissa 
A., daughter of Ephraiin and Clarissa (Rob- 
erts) Washburn, natives of Maine. Mrs. Mc- 
Naughton was born in Wisconsin, March 20, 
1843. In the fall of 1869 Mr. McNaughton 
and wife came to Iowa, spending the winter 
in Plymouth County. In the spring of 1870 
they came to Shelby County, and settled on 
section 27, Grove Township, on a farm of 
forty acres of unimproved land. They have 
added to this first purchase until they own 
260 acres of land in one body, excepting 
twenty acres of timber in section 21. Mr. 
McNaughton has made many improvements 
on his farm; he has aline frame residence, 
and barns for stock and grain. He started 
at the bottom of the ladder; he has risen to 
his present position, which is that of one 
of the well-to-do citizens of Shelby County. 
When they first came to the county Mrs. 
McNautjhtun enijaijed in teaching school 
during the summer, and her husband at- 
tended to the farm work. Then during the 
winter terras Mr. McNaughton turned his 
attention to teaching; he continued this for 
five winters. They have always taken an act- 
ive interest in the educational features of the 
community, and have done much toward 
elevating the standard of the same. Politi- 




X^. ^ , ^^^^a.^^^r-<iy . 



lilOGRAPHICAL SKEW 11 US. 



001 



cally Mr. McNaughtoii is a staunch Democrat. 
Mr. McNaiiirlitoii and wile are members of 
the Congregational church, and are among 
Shelby County's most wortliy and respected 
citizens. Mr. McNaughton is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., Dunlap Lodge. 



— ►^♦>»^^— 

lANIEL B. WALTERS has become a 
prominent and well-known citizen of 
Fairview Township. He came to the 
county in 1877. He was born near Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1823, and 
is a sou of Anthony and Elizabeth Walters. 
Pie was reared on a farm in Pennsylvania, 
and was married when he was twenty-live 
years of age, to Miss Margaret Byers, who is 
a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853 our sub- 
ject removed to Stephenson County, Illinois, 
where he improved a good farm and lived 
several years; he then sohl out and w-ent to 
Jo Daviess County, Illinois, near Warren, 
where he improved anociier farm. He re- 
mained two years and tlien went to Jasper 
County, Iowa, near Newton, w'here he im- 
proved a farm and lived eight years. He 
then sold and rented in PottawattamieCounty, 
near Walnut, for two years. In the spring of 
1877 lie came to Sliell)y County, and located 
on his present farm of 160 acres. He also 
owns fifty acres in the north part of the town- 
ship, and 160 acres of improved land in Lin- 
coln Township. The home farm is one of the 
best improved in the townsiiip; there is a 
fine house built in modern style, surrounded 
with sluide and ornamental trees, large, fine 
barns, and all conveniences for I'arming in 
good style. Mr. Walters and wife have twelve 
children — Jacob, Jeremiah, Abram, Anthony, 
Daniel, Albert, William, Ed, Court, Jennie, 
Laura and Ella. Mr. Walters is a Republi- 
can, and always lias been one. He is honor- 



able in all his business transactions, and is 
one of Shelby County's solid and reliable 
citizens. 



fOSEPH YACKEY was born in Switzer- 
land, December 25, 1848, and is a son 
of Victon and Mary (Layman) Yackey. 
When he was three years old his parents de- 
termined to try their fortunes in the new 
world, so they emigrated from Switzerland 
to America. They lived in New York for 
two years after they landed, and then re- 
moved to La Salle County, Illinois, where 
his parents died. Until he was fifteen years 
old his time was divided between duties on 
the farm and attending school. At the a^e 
of fifteen he enlisted in the United States 
service in Company E, Fourth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Cavalry, and was mustered out May 
29, 1866, at Houston, Te.xas. He took part 
in many severe battles, being under the com- 
mand of General Thomas. In 1865, at Alex- 
andria, Louisiana, his regiment was placed 
under the command of General Custer, under 
whom he served until the close of the war. 
He enlisted as a private and was discharged 
as Sergeant. During the latter part of 1864 
he served as private scout to Colonel Mc- 
Calib. After he was discharged he returned 
to La Salle County, Illinois, and entered the 
employ of the Illinois Valley Coal Works as 
a miner. He remained there two years, and 
then took a position on the timber work, at 
which he was engaged three years; lie was 
then made superintendent of tiie underground 
work of the mines, a position he held until 
1880, when he concluded to abandon mining 
and try his fortune in Iowa. He came to 
Shelby County, April 2, 1880, and has since 
made this county his home. Pi'ior to com- 
ing here he bought an eighty-acre tract in 



503 



HISTORY OP tillELBY COUNTY. 



section 13, Union Township — tlie land upon 
whicli tlie town of Defiance, except tiie 
Haines addition, stands. When the Milwau- 
kee Railroad was in course of construction 
Mr. Yackey disposed of his farm to the com- 
pany, and bought IGO acres in sections 8 
and 17. This was raw prairie, but has all 
been placed under cultivation. Mr. Yackey 
erected a comfortable residence and buildings 
for stock and grain, and planted three acres 
of grove. He continued his residence there 
until the spring of 1888, when he disposed of 
the place and bought the Moffitt farm, con- 
sisting of 160 acres, in section 10. Since 
coining to his new home he has planted live 
acres of grove. He devotes himself to farm- 
ing and stock-raising exclusively. He is a 
member of the Republican party, and has 
represented his township as trustee. He was 
presented by his party as a candidate for the 
Legislature in 1885, but was defeated by a 
small majority. Mr. Y'ackey is a member of 
Guardian Lodge, No. 441, A. F. & A. M., 
•and of the I. O. O. F., of Defiance, and of 
the G. A. R., Defiance Post. He was mar- 
ried December 25, 1866, to Miss Harriette 
Way, daughterof Hiram and Harriette (Allen) 
Way, who was born April 2, 1850, in 
La Salle County, Illinois. They are the 
parents of six children — Hiram V., Edith 
Evaline, Mary T., George L., Joseph H., 
Hattie V. They are worthy and consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Mr. Yackey is a local minister in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, supplying pulpits 
whenever duty calls. 



HMJ-I--- 



fOHN POMEROY, editor and proprietor 
of the Shelby News, Shelby, Iowa, was 
born in the town of Concord, Franklin 
County, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1853. 



He resided (with the exception of six years 
spent away from home in attending school 
and teaching) in the place of his birth until 
1878, when became to Shelby, Shelby County, 
Iowa. He spent two years as a student 
at Tuscarora Academy, Academia, Juniata 
County, Pennsylvania, and three years at 
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 
from which institution he was graduated in 
the summer of 1876, with the degree of A. 
B. After his graduation he had charge of 
the Concord, Pennsylvania, High School, 
from October, 1877, to March, 1878. Pre- 
vious to this time, however, he had engaged 
in the profession of teaching. He had taught 
in Louisa County, Iowa, from September, 
1872, until July, 1873, during a part of 
whicli time he had charge of the grammar 
department of the Morning Sun public 
schools for one term. In the spring of 1880 
Mr. Pomeroy purchased of LI. L. Heath, the 
Shelby JVeios, and since that date has been 
editor and proprietor of the paper. The News 
was founded by Mr. Heath in 1877, and is 
Republican in its principles. Mr. Pomeroy 
is unmarried. 



— •— *^ : - i"i ' g- — — 

fACOB WALTERS, bridge contractor, 
became a resident of Shelby County in 
1878. He is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born March 23, 1849. He is the oldest son 
of D. B. Walters, whose biograpliy appears 
in this volume. When a child his parents 
removed to Illinois, and he was reared in 
Stevenson and Jo Daviess counties. In 1865 
the family removed to Iowa, living first in 
Marion and then in Jasper counties. In 
1869 Jacob started out for himself, engaging 
with the Rock Island Railroad in the bridge- 
building department. He remained in the 
employ of this company until 1873. During 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCUEti. 



503 



this time he resided in Des Moines. After 
severing bis connection witli tlie railroad 
company, lie contracted for bridges on bis 
own responsibility for several years. In 
1878 be came to Sbelby County and settled 
on a farm in Fairview Townsbip. Tbe farm 
contained 120 acres of unimproved land, 
wbicb he improved and made into a good 
farm. In connection with bis farming pur- 
suits be fullowed his trade until 1882; he 
then moved to Harlan, but continued bis in- 
terest in both occupations. Mr. Walters was 
married December 25, 1871, to Miss Lucinda 
Long, a daughter of Richard Long. She was 
a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, 
and came to Iowa when a child. Mr. and 
Mrs. Walters are tbe parents of six children 
— Millie O., Fannie E., Harry F., Eva L. and 
Maggie C. Stella G. died at tbe age of nine 
years. Mrs. Walters and children are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. 
Walters has filled many local offices of trust 
and responsibility. H^ is a member of the 
K. P., Carthage Lodge, No. 65. He gives 
liis politicaf support to the Republican party. 
He does most of tbe city bridge-building, 
and also contracts for and builds barns. By 
his own industry and energy he has accumu- 
lated a good property. 



C. McCUSKEY was born in Morgan 
County, Ohio, April 25, 1843, and is 
tbe son of Joseph and Prudence 
(Dodge) McCuskey, who were natives of West 
Virginia and Ohio respectively. The subject 
of this sketch was deprived of a mother's 
care at the age of three years, and at the age 
of seven he lost bis father, so he early realized 
the responsibilities of life, as be was left alone 
and dependent upon his own resources. Until 
tbe age of fourteen years be resided in bis 

84 




native county, and then went to Hocking 
County, Ohio, making that bis home for three 
years; thence be removed to Perry County, 
Ohio, remaining there until tbe spring of 
1878, with tbe exception of three years spent 
in the United States service, and three years 
spent in and about Des Moines, Iowa. He 
enlisted at the beginning of the late civil 
war, July, 1861, in Company G, Thirty-first 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged 
November 29, 1861, on account of physical 
inability. He again enlisted in May, 1862, 
in Company G, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry. After three months' service 
he returned home sick and unfit for duty. In 
February, 1864, be re-enlisted in Company 
D, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until September, 1864, when be was 
promoted to the Second Lieutenancy of the 
Seventh United States Colored Infantry, 
which position he held until tbe close of tbe 
Rebellion. He was engaged in many hard- 
fought battles, the most severe being that of 
Fort Gilmore, the regiment entering with 
thirty-three oflicersand coming out with five, 
and losing 700 men. Mr. McCuskey was 
married March 8, 1864, to Miss Emily J. 
Bugh, daughter of Henry and Charlotte 
(Black) Bugh, who was born in Perry County, 
Ohio, P'ebruary 15, 1841. They are the par- 
ents of six children — Lizzie C, a graduate of 
the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, 
Iowa, now teaching in Marshall County, 
Iowa; Henry B., a member of the junior 
class at Ames; Waldo B. R., attending school 
at Woodbine, Iowa; Willie, Charlotte P. and 
Mary at home. In June, 1878, Mr. McCus-" 
key and family landed in Grove Township, 
Shelby County, Iowa, having driven from 
Ohio in a wagon; they settled on section 14, 
on a farm of forty acres of wild land. Mr. 
McCuskey built a cabin and commenced im- 
proving his land. He has added to his fii-st 



504 



EISTORT OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



purchase until he now owns 320 acres, which 
he has brought from its original wild state to 
one of high cultivation. He has also replaced 
the cabin with a comfortable frame residence; 
he devotes his summers to farming, and 
spends his winters in teaching; he takes an 
active interest in the educational work of the 
county, and assists in all worthy enterprises 
tending to the advancement of the commu- 
nity. Politically he is a staunch Republican, 
and a strong advocate of prohibition. He 
was presented by his party as a candidate for 
the office of auditor of the county, and has 
been justice of the peace, township clerk and 
secretary of tiie scliool board. Mr. and Mrs. 
McOuskey are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Defiance. 

" ^ ' I ' ^i ' t ' g 



IDWARD S. EIGLER, a native of Tus- 
carawas County, Ohio, was born De- 
cember 29, 1840. He is the son of 
Samuel and Susannah (Kislig) Bigler, natives 
of Switzerland. He was reared and trained 
to agricultural pursuits in his native county, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. At the age of twenty-two years he 
came to Iowa, settling in Poweshiek County, 
where he remained until 1879; he then came 
to Shelby County, locating on section 27, 
Greeley Township, on a farm of forty acres 
of unimproved land ; here he erected a tem- 
porary dwelling in wliich he spent the sum- 
mer and a part of the fall of 1879; the same 
autumn he purchased an adjoining forty acres 
of improved land and removed to this new 
place. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Bigler made 
another purchase of 120 acres of wild laud 
adjoining the former purchase; here he lias 
made many valuable improvements in the 
way of erecting buildings, and all the sur- 
roundings bespeak the thrift and prosperity 



of the owner. ' He now owns 240 acres of 
finely improved land, with about six acres of 
grove. Mr. Bigler is a live, energetic man, 
devoting himself to general agricultural pur- 
suits and the raising of live-stock. Begin- 
ning life without any financial support, by 
industry and thrift he has gained an enviable 
position in the community. Politically he 
is a Republican, and at the present time is 
acting as justice of the peace. Mr. Bigler 
was married March 28, 1875, to Miss M. E. 
Grant, daughter of Henry and Ellen (Hog- 
garty) Grant, natives of Scotland and Ireland 
respectively. Mr. Bigler was born in Port- 
age County, Ohio, February 23, 1851. They 
are the parents of five children — Effie V., 
Minnie I., Ivin E., John Leonard and Sarah 
Cecelia. They are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and are among 
Shelby County's respected citizens. 

....P. ; .. ; . ? .. ^ ^ — 



>UGUST SCHNUETTGEN, a native of 
Prussia, has been identified with the 
interests of Shelby County since 1873, 
when he emigrated to America, and settled 
in Westphalia Township. He was born 
March 30, 1854, and is a son of Anton and 
Mary A. (Ilitze) Schnuettgen, both deceased. 
August was the sixth child in a family of 
seven, three of whom reside in America. He 
was reared in his native country to farm life; 
he acquired a common-school education, and 
worked at the carpenter's trade one year 
previous to his coming to America. For 
twelve or thirteen years he followed this busi- 
ness in this country, and worked on a farm 
for one year. In the fall of 1885 Mr. 
Schnuettgen came to Earling, and erected a 
large two-story brick building, in which he 
opened a stock of hardware, tinware, stoves, 
pumps and furniture; he also attends to the 



BIOORAPHICAJ. SKBTVHES. 



505 



undertaking of EaiHng and vicinity, keeping 
a full line of burial robes and undertakers' 
supplies. Ills stock in both lines is un- 
equaled in most towns of the size of Earling. 
He also owns forty acres of land in West- 
phalia Township, 160 acres in Union Town- 
ship, a house and lot in Panama, and his 
property in Earling. He has erected most of 
the school buildings in Westphalia and Union 
townships, beside a great number of dwell- 
ing houses. Mr. Schnuettgen has probably 
done as much as any other citizen of the 
county toward the advancement and growth 
of the town of Earling. Politically he affil- 
iates with the Democratic party. He was 
married February 10, 1886, to Louisa Block, 
daughter of Henry and Mary A. (Bolte) 
Block, who was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, 
October 2, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Schnuettgen 
are members of the Roman Catholic church. 






?C. HEESE, dealer in lumber and build- 
ing materials, has been a resident of 
** Westphalia Township since his eight- 
eenth year. He was born in Prussia, April 
15, 1858, and is a son of John and Anna M' 
(Drexelius) Heese, natives of Prussia, but now 
residents of Westphalia Township. J. C. was 
the third child in a family of four, and was 
reared to farm life in his native country ; there 
he acquired a common-school education, and in 
1876 emigrated to America with the other 
membersof his family ; they immediately came 
to AVestphalia Township, and have since made 
it their home. In 1881 our subject started 
in life for himself, having mastered the car- 
penter's trade, which he has since followed, 
also doing a large business in contracting. 
In 1886 he entered into partnership with 
FVaiik Hesse, and they carry a stock of lum- 
ber, lime, and general building supplies; they 



also carry a stock of coal. Mr. Heese is a 
live, energetic man, and has done much toward 
the building up of Earling and the surround- 
ing country. The firm does an annual busi- 
ness of $20,000. Mr. Ileese is a staunch 
member of the Democratic party. Ho was 
married November 26, 1885, to Miss Elizabeth 
Gollobisch, a daughter of John and Rosina 
(Nipp) Gollobisch. Mrs. Ileese was born in 
Dubuque, Iowa, March 15, 1865. Mr. and 
Mrs. Heese are tlie parents of two children — • 
Mary Rosina and Anna Margaretta. They 
are members of the Roman Catholic church. 



EWIS SHORETT has been identified 
with the history of Shelby County since 
April, 1872. He was born in New York, 
July 16, 184:6, and is a son of Antoine and 
Amelio (Des Vough) Shorett. They were 
the parents of eleven children — Antoine, 
Philus, Joseph, Amelio, widow of Mr. Pratt; 
Lewis, Harriett, Mrs. Potter, two children 
who died in infancy; Jefl:erson, who went 
south before the war, and is supposed to be 
dead, as he has not been heard from since; 
Mary Goodal (deceased), and Louisa Smith 
(deceased). When a mere child often years 
Lewis left home and began the battle of life. 
He worked as a farm hand until the breaking 
out of the late war, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, July 16, 1861, his fifteenth birthday. 
He was sworn into the United States service 
September 1, 1861. He was in the following 
engagements, besides many skirmishes: Shi- 
loh, Corinth, Stone River, Lookout Mount- 
ain, campaign of Atlanta, Sherman's march 
to the sea, and the battle of Bentonvillc. He 
was discharged July 12, 1865; his regiment 
disbanded in Chicago July 16, 1865, and he 
reached home July 20. Mr. Shorett was 



006 



UISTOUY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



uiarried December 10, 1807, to Miss Har- 
riett A., daughter of John and Siisana (Hun- 
ter) Hopkins. She was born in New York 
December 11, 1848. After tlieir marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Shorett lived in AVliiteside 
County, Hlinois, for four years. In 1872 
they started to Iowa, traveling with teams. 
Mr. Shorett first bought forty acres of wild 
land and built a rude hut, in which they 
lived for a number of years. He now owns 
320 acres of land in a high state of cultiva- 
tion and well improved otherwise. He car- 
ries on farming and general stock-raising, 
shipping a car-load of cattle and from one to 
two car- loads of hogs annually from his own 
place; he also does some buying and ship- 
ping. From the time the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & Saint Paul Railroad came through 
Panama until recently, Mr. Shorett bought 
stock and grain at that point. He was a 
member of the county l)oard of supervisors 
two terms, and has served in all the township 
oiEces. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is a liberal contributor to all 
public enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Shorett 
have had three children — Augusta (deceased), 
John Berton and Judson "W. 



^ARSELIUS LARSON.— The subject 
of this biography was born at Ste- 
^i^?r» venger, Norway, November 4, 1842, 
and is the second of a family of eight chil- 
dren the others being Augustine, Lewis, 

Christian, Maria, Stena (deceased), wife of 
T. B. Olson; Christena and Sarah. The 
parents were Larse and Stena Larson, natives 
of Norway. In 1864 the family emigrated 
to America and settled in Henry County, 
Iowa. Soon after they removed to Mahaska 
County, where Mr. Larson, Sr., died in 1870. 
The family came to Shelby County in 1880, 



and in 1887 Mrs. Larson died at Manning, 
the residence of one of her sons. Stevenger 
being a seaport town, Marselius early be- 
came familiar with seamen and vessels, and 
longed to be a sailor lad; so, when he had 
arrived at his thirteenth year he secured a 
berth as cabin boy, and in a few years became 
a full-fledged sailor. For seven years he trod 
the decks of a sailing vessel, but seeing no 
chance of promotion above the level of a com- 
mon sailor, without more of an education than 
he possessed or had facilities of acquiring, 
he decided to leave the sea and come to 
America, in which country better opportuni- 
ties would be open to him. Accordingly we 
find him at twenty-two years of age in the 
United States, working to secure a home for 
his loved one, who had crossed the ocean with 
his own family. It took but a short time to 
satisfy him that he could provide for two, 
and so after a few months they were united 
for life. Mrs. Larson's maiden name was 
Hannah Svcnsen, and she was born at Ste- 
venger, October 21, 1843. They were mar- 
ried December 28, 1804. The first two years 
in America Mr. Larson spent as a sailor upon 
the lakes, leaving his wife with his father's 
family. He then secured fifty acres of land 
in Mahaska County, Iowa, and besides farm- 
ing that he dug wells and did odd jobs of 
masonry and painting, turning his hand to 
anything to earn an honest penny. In 1880 
Mr. Larson removed to Shelby County, Iowa, 
desiring to secure more land than was avail- 
able in the older county. His present home, 
"Hillside Farm," in Douglas Township, two 
miles east of Kirkman, consists of 200 acres 
of excellent land, all of which is finely im- 
proved. He has a nicely located commodi- 
ous house, well arranged stables and yards, 
and plenty of live-stock of the best breeds. 
Mr. Larson affiliates with the Republican 
party, and has frequently been called to posi- 




.^yM:i^^^€^i^c<f ^=^V^^^- 



BWORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 
I 



509 



tions requiring executive ability and public 
confidence. lie was a county delegate to the 
Des Moines convention to select delegates to 
the Chicago presidential convention in 1888. 
He is the present chairman of the township 
board of trustees, and has been a trustee for 
the last seven years. Having always taken 
an active interest in educational matters, he 
has often been elected to the board of edu- 
cation. He was active as a director in the 
organization of the Fanners' Mutual Insur- 
ance Company, and much of its success and 
prosperity are due to his personal attention. 
The confidence of the board of directors in 
his ability was shown by choosing him presi- 
dent of tlie company, a position he is now 
filling for the third time. Quitting Norway 
when a young man Mr. Larson has held a 
desire to revisit the scenes of his boyhood, 
and in 1885 he carried the desire into execu- 
tion. Once more crossing: tlie ocean that 
was his home for so many years, he passed 
several pleasant months among old scenes 
with the companions of his youth, and re- 
turned to appreciate more fully the country 
of his adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have 
nine children — Lewis G., Julia Ann, wife of 
Thomas Errett, of Nebraska; Regena Belle, 
an intelligent young lady of nineteen; Mary, 
wife of Sherman II. Tague, of Shelby County; 
Marcus G., Alma Margretta, Dora, Edgar 
and Alfred. 

-'" | - 3 n S » S "-^ 



tM. PIEFFER is one of the leading 
merchants of Panama. He keeps a 
* general stock of hardware and jewelry, 
carrying a stock of $2,500. He has been in 
this business since February, 1888, having 
bonglit out Nelson Swenninjj. He had bought 
out L. M. Ehy, who had established the busi- 
ness in 1881. Mr. Pieffer is a native of 



Shelby County, Iowa, born March 15, 1859. 
He is a son of Benjamin and Elmira (Kauble) 
Pieffer, who are the parents of five children 
— Hattie, the wife of Caleb Smith; Benjamin 
F., J. M., Fannie E., the wife of F. J. Swen- 
ning, and William II. Benjamin Pieffer, 
Sr., came from I'ennsylvania to Kanesville, 
now Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1852. He re- 
mained there but a short time, and then came 
to Monroe Township, Shelby County, and 
entered fifty-nine acres of land from the 
government, which he still makes his home. 
He has made additional purchases until he 
now owns 290 acres, all under cultivation. 
He carried on general farming and stock- 
raising until he retired from active business. 
He and his wife are natives of the State of 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Pieffer was born Septem- 
ber 5, 1823, and Mrs. Pieffer was born May, 
1824. Both are of German descent. J. M. 
Pieffer remained with his parents until he 
was nineteen years old, assisting with the 
work on the home farm. He then engaged 
in farming for himself, and continued that 
occupation until he bought his present 
business. 



►^«^^ 



|EWTON J. ROUNDY, a resident of 
Washington Township, is an old settler, 
having come to the county in 1851. He 
was born in Pike County, Illinois, March 27, 
1850, and is the son of Washington and Al- 
vira (Williams) Roundy, l)cing the oldest of 
a family of eleven children. He remained at 
home working on his father's farm until he 
was nineteen years old, when lie went to work 
by the month for another farmer. March 17, 
1870, he was married to Miss Anna Kleeb, a 
daughter of John and Barbara (Spars) Kleeb. 
She was one of a family of fuurtoen children, 
eleven of whom survive. She was born in 



510 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Fayette County, Iowa, August 17, 1852. Mr. 
and Mrs. Tloundy are the parents of five chil- 
dren — Carrie A., John E., George W., All)ert 
R. and Lorinda B., who died July 25, 1888. 
Her death was very sad, l)eing caused by her 
clothing catching fire from matches with 
which she was playing. Her brother George 
rode to Panama, three and a half miles dis- 
tant, and brought back the physician, Dr. 
Gregg, in thirty minutes. But there was no 
help for her, and after four days of snifering 
her soul was released from the tortured little 
body. For three years after his marriage Mr. 
Roundy rented land. He then concluded to 
go to Nebraska, but his father offered to make 
him a gift of forty acres of land in Shelby 
County if he would live upon it. He accepted 
this proposition, and made this place his home 
for three years. He then sold it to his father 
and bought eighty acres, which are included 
in his present farm; it consists of 485 acres, 
295 of which are under the plow, 140 in 
pasture, and fifty i!i hay hind. In 1888 Mr. 
Roundy erected a fine frame residence at a 
cost of $2,400. He handles live-stock quite 
e.xtensively, shipping from 150 to 200 head 
of hogs each year, and from two to three car 
loads of cattle. Politically Mr. Roundy is 
inclined to the principles of the Democratic 
party. He has served his township as as- 
sessor, clerk, trustee, and is the present treas- 
urer. He is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 
32, A. F. & A. M. 



^AVID COLLINS, a farmer residing in 
Washington Township, is one of the 
oldest settlers of Washington Township, 
Shelby County, having come there in 1871. 
He sold his farm in Ogle County, Illinois, and 
came to Iowa, and bought forty acres in Wash- 
ington Township, Shelby County. At that 



time there was not a house within a mile of 
Mr. Collins's place. He improved this small 
farm and made it his home until 1880, when 
he removed to eighty acres which he had 
purchased the year previous, and which is 
now his home. He has filled the offices of 
township clerk two terms, township trustee, 
and secretary of the school board; the last- 
named office he has held since March, 1884. 
David Collins is a native of Massachusetts, 
and was born May 25, 1837. He is a son of 
Timothy and Caroline (AYing) Collins, and the 
oldest and only surviving one of a family of 
three; his brother died at the age of three 
years, and his sister at the age of nine months. 
When he was but seven years old his mother 
died, and three years later his father was killed 
by the caving in of a bank; at the time he 
was attending school in Boston. In the year 
1840 he went to Cape Cod and worked on a 
farm until 1855. He then went to sea for 
two years, making several trips abroad. In 
1857 he left the water and came west, arriv- 
ing in Chicago April 16, 1857. Mr. Collins 
was married March 18, 1860, to Miss Elsie 
M. Wade, the daughter of Henry and Emeline 
(Norton) Wade. Shortly after his marriage 
he enlisted, August 29, 1863, in the army 
for the defense of this nation, and was en- 
rolled in Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry. He was in several 
skirmishes and battles, and the siege of 
Charleston. He was dutj'- sergeant two 
years. He says his regiment was one of the 
most lucky until 1864. He was mustered 
out of the service September 10, 1864, at 
Petersburg, Virginia. He then returned to 
Illinois, and in the fall of 1865 bought forty 
acres of land in Ogle County, Illinois, which 
he made liis home until removing to Iowa. 
IVIr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of nine 
cliildreu — Ella, wife of Adeli)crt Whitney; 
Dora Josephine, wife of O. D. Whitney; 



BIOORAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 



511 



Henry A., at home; Lulu May, wife of Edwin 
Foot: Nellie, Minnie, Laura, Jessie, all at 
home. The second born died in infancy. Mr. 
Collins votes the Republican ticket. 



►i«-»H 



HOMAS COSGROVE, a farmer and 
stock-raiser of AVashington Township, 
has been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County, Iowa, since 1875. He was 
born in the County Mayo, half baronet of 
Erris, Ireland, July 25, 1828, and is the son 
of James and Mary (Robinson) Cosgrove. 
They were the parents of ten children, all de- 
ceased except Thomas. In 1847 he left Ire- 
land and went over to England, remaining 
there until 1849, when he went to the Isle of 
Wight. There he remained until 1851, when 
he crossed the sea in the service of the Brit- 
ish army, under Colonel Lochair. He was 
stationed at Halifax, and in 1852 he went to 
Boston and entered the United States service 
in Company G, Third Artillery, commanded 
by Major Robert Anderson, at Fort Sumter. 
On account of disability he was discharged 
July 19, 1863. From Boston he went to St. 
Louis the same year, and worked at his trade 
in a foundry for three and a half years. For 
several years after that he was engaged in 
running a stationary engine. He left St. 
Louis in 1863 because he did not wish to 
join the Southern army, and came to Clinton 
County, Iowa, engaging in farming and keep- 
ing a grocery store. In 1875 he came to 
Shelby County, as before stated. His first 
investment in the county was in eighty acres 
of wild land. He owns at the present day 
240 acres, all under cultivation. lie carries 
on general farming, and devotes some time 
to raising special grades of live-stock. Polit- 
ically Mr. Cosgrove casts his vote with tlic 
Republicans. He has served his township as 



road supervisor and as school director. He 
was married in 1856 to Miss Mary W. Mc- 
Andrews, daughter of Antony and Mary 
(Burk) McAndrews. The wedding occurred 
in St. Louis. Mrs. Cosgrove was born in 
Ireland in 1884. They have had born to 
them eleven children; two of them died in St. 
Louis when children, and were buried there. 
James, a promising young man, died in 
Shelby County, Iowa, at the age of twenty- 
nine years. Those living are — -Sarah, wife of 
Michael McAndrews; Margaret, Rosa, wife 
of Michael Nash; Mary, wife of Patrick 
Grady; Bridget, Antony, Dominick and Cath- 
erine. 

— -|->^^-^ 



ff C. BONNE, undertaker and dealer in 
I furniture and farm implements, is one 
* of the well-known business men of 
Shelby, where he located and began business 
in June, 1878. He started in a small way 
in a building where he had his furniture and 
workshop. He has been industrious and his 
trade has constantly increased. He has added 
warerooms and tilled them with a well-selected 
stock of goods. In 1883 he added to his 
furniture and undertaking business farm 
machinery, and carries a large stock of stand- 
ard make of goods. He does a business of 
$6,000 per annum. Mr. Bonne is a native 
of Denmark, and was born December 20, 
1846. He is a son of M. P. and Mary Ann 
(Christiauson) Bonne. He was reared in his 
native country, and attended school until lie 
was fourteen years of age. For three years 
he worked on a farm. At the age of seven- 
teen he began working at the painter's trade, 
but owing to ill-health he gave it up and 
worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1873 he 
landed at Quebec, and tlien went to New 
Jersey, where lie worked for the Delaware, 



513 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company 
at Dover. From swinging a large hammer 
in the workshop he was promoted to assistant 
in building passenger coaches. He lived 
here until 1878, when he came to Shelby, to 
better his fortunes in the west and grow up 
with a new country. In addition to his other 
business Mr. Bonne operates a blacksmith- 
shop, where he keeps an e.xperienced work- 
man. He is an honorable and fair business 
man, and has many friends. He was mar- 
ried in 1875 to Miss Dorothea Katherine 
Henrickson. Tiiey have three children — Al- 
fenia Hellen, Leah Abbe and a baby boy. 
Politically he is a Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Omaha, Nebraska. 




B.BOOKER, dealer in agricultural 
and farm implements and machinery, 
established his business at Shelby 
March, 188C. He carries a full line of goods, 
such as one will find in a first-class establish- 
ment. He is fair and honorable in his deal- 
ings and has a good trade, which he well 
merits. During the season of 1888 his sales 
amounted to between $5,000 and $6,000. He 
also deals quite extensively in flour and feed, 
in which he has a good trade. Mr. Booker is 
a native of Huntingdon County,Pennsylvania. 
He was born in 1855, and was ten years of 
age before his parents removed to Johnson 
County, Iowa; here he grew to manhood. 
His youth was passed on the farm and in at- 
tending the common schools. In 1878 he 
came to Harrison County, a few miles north- 
west of Shelby, where he bought wild land 
and improved it in good style; he engaged 
in farming until the spring of 1880, when he 
started in business in Shelby. He was mar- 
ried in Johnson County, Iowa, in 1878 to 



JSriss S. A. Dennison, of that county. They 
have two children — JNlyrtle D. and Roy Vance. 
Mr. Booker's business is located in what is 
known as the Campbell building, near the 
center of trade. He has extensive rooms for 
his business, in fact one of the best in the 
town. 



EORGE F. COLBY is one of the well- 
known earlj' settlers of Shell>y County, 
and an ex-soldier of the late war. He 
was born in Sullivan County, New Hamp- 
shire, July 5, 1830, a son of Ira and Polly 
(Foster) Colby. He was reared in the place 
of his birth and was educated in the common 
schools. At the age of eighteen he took 
Horace Greeley's advice and came west. He 
spent some years in the west and south, and 
just before the war broke out located in south- 
ern Illinois. He enlisted in the Twenty- 
fourth Illinois Infantry, Company E, in 
July, 18(51, taking an active part in the bat- 
tles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, and going with General Sherman on 
his famous march to the sea. He served 
three years in the Twenty-fourth Illinois, then 
re-enlisted in the Eighteenth Kentuckj', 
where he served ten months; he was honor- 
ably discharged as a private. He then re- 
turned to the north and engaged in the more 
peaceful pursuit of agriculture, settling in 
Fayette County, Iowa. Jle was united in 
marriage at McGregor, Iowa, October 28, 
18G7, to Miss Cornelia Lawson, a lady of in- 
telligence of that town, a daughter of John 
D., now of Lincoln Township, this county. 
Mr. Colby engaged in farming in Fayette 
County until 1873, when he came to Shelby 
County and bought 2-10 acres of wild land 
in sections 1( and 10, Shelby Township; this 
he has improved and has built a good house 





^^^./(^^-^^ /tst^:^^ 



BTOGBAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 



515 



and barn, and lias set out a grove, so there is 
no better farm in the neighborhood. He 
made this his liomc until the fall of 1888, 
wiien lie came to the village of Shelby to give 
his children better educational advantages. 
Mr. Colby is a Republican and a strong ad- 
herent to the prii:ciples of the party; his first 
vote was cast for Lincoln. He has served as 
trustee and as a member of the school board. 
He is a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates 
Post, No. 361; also a member of the A. F. 
& A. M., and the Mt. Zion Commandery 
at Harlan. Mr. and Mrs. Colby are both 
worthy and consistent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Shelby. They have 
two children, a son and a daughter-— George 
William and H. Etta. Mr. Colby is a man 
well known in the county, cordial to all, hon- 
orable in business and always gives his hearty 
support to any enterprise to advance religion 
and education. He is one of Shelby's most 
valuable and respected citizens. 



^HARLES KIDD, one of the pioneer 
settlers of Douglas Township, was born 
in Belmont C-ounty, Ohio, in the year 
1818. He is the son of John and Elizabeth 
Kidd, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared 
in his native State and received his education 
in the public schools ; in addition to the 
opportunities afforded in school, he has en- 
joyed the advantages of traveling through 
the States ot Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, 
Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois. In 185G he 
came to Douglas Township, Shelby County, 
and has improved a farm of 160 acres in sec- 
tions 16 and 17. Mr. Kidd is a member of 
the Republican party, and has been officially 
identified with this body in his township. 
He held the ofiice of justice of the peace for 
several years. Mr. Kidd's wife, who was 



Miss Susan Williams, died in Missouri in 
1854. She was a native of the State of Ohio, 
and survived her marriage a little over one 
year. Mr. Kidd has always been a lover of 
law and order, and has ever upheld all enter- 
prises tending to the advancement of the com- 
munity. 

— •°^'^'3" i ' ^ "-- — 



|THO MEANS is one of Shelby's intelli- 
™ g®"'' ^"^^ respected citizens; he came to 
i^v' the town in December, 1882. He is a 
native of Lewis County, AVest Virginia, born 
February 3, 1821; he is a son of Isaac Means, 
a native of the same place; his grandmother 
was a native of Ireland; his father's brother 
served five years in the United States army 
and was in the war of 1812; he died at Ga- 
lena, Illinois. The mother of our subject was a 
Miss Elizabeth Starcher, a native of A''ir- 
ginia, and of German ancestry. The parents 
had nine children of whom Otho was the 
oldest; there were four sons and five daugh- 
ters. The family removed from Virginia to 
Morrow County, Ohio, in 1883, and were 
among the early settlers. Otho assisted his 
father to clear the land of heavy timber, and 
received his education in the subscription 
schools and the Marion Academy. Later he 
engaged in teaching, and taught some twelve 
terms. In 1858 he removed to Kosciusko 
County, Indiana, near Warsaw, where he 
worked at the carpenter's trade for two years. 
In 1852 he was elected county surveyor and 
served four years. At the breaking out of the 
Rebellion, when Lincoln called for 300,000 
men, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy- 
fourth Indiana Volunteers. He was in the bat- 
tles of Ball's Bluff, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, and Buzzard's Roost. He was honor- 
ably dischargcJ in June, 1865, as musician, 
fifer of the regular musicians. In the fall 



516 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of 1865 he removed to Johnson County, Iowa, 
near Iowa City, where he bought a farm and 
engaged in its cultivation until 1882, when he 
came to Shelby. He bought the homestead 
of W. F. Cleveland, a fine house situated in the 
east part of the village, where he has all the 
comforts of a good home. Mr. Means is en- 
gaged in the insurance business, representing 
the most reliable companies in the country. 
Politically Mr. Means is a Eepublican; he cast 
his first vote for Henry Clay. He was elected 
mayor of Shelby in 1886 and 1887, serving 
with credit to himself and to the best inter- 
ests of the town. He is a member of G. A. 
K., Dick Yates Post, No. 364. Pie has served 
as Chaplain. He is a member of the Good 
Templars, No. 430. He has been a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty 
years and is one of the stewards. He was mar- 
ried September 3, 1850, to Catherine Grouse, 
who was born in Franklin County, Penn- 
sylvania, and reared in Richmond County, 
Ohio. They have four children living — James 
H., John F., of Woodbury County, Iowa; 
Mrs. Geneva A. Sampey, and Charles Henry. 
Mrs. Means died January 15, 1885; she was 
a worthy and consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church from the time 
she was sixteen years old. Mr. Means is a 
man well informed, firm in his belief of right 
and wrong, honest in business; he has the 
confidence and respect of all. 



?AP MORGAN, Mayor of Shelby, and 
one of its well-known business men, has 
been identified with the town since 
April, 1881; he is a native of the Hawkeye 
State and was born in Scott County, Decem- 
ber 6, 1848. His father was William Mor- 
gan, who was born in Greene County, Indiana; 
his mother, Elizabeth (Stafford) Morgan, was 



a native of Indiana. The Morgan family 
came to Scott County in June, 1845; there 
were ten children in the family, Jap being 
the third child. His youth was passed 
on a farm and in attending school. He 
resided at home until 1871, when he went 
west, where he spent two years at different 
points; he then returned to Iowa, where he 
made his home; in 1878 he moved to Jasper 
County, where he lived three years, opening 
a meat-market; in 1881 he came to Shelby, 
where he is proprietor of the meat market, 
and has a good trade. He also deals exten- 
sively in live-stock, being junior member in 
the firm of Winters & Morgan, stock-ship- 
pers. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat. He was 
married in Scott County, October 10, 1877, 
to Miss Etta Gibson, of that county. Tliey 
have two children — Bert and O. Ethel. Mr. 
Morgan stands high in the community, both 
as a business man and politically; he is a man 
friendly to all and has many admirers. 

•" ♦ ' I ' S t' S ' l ' - ^ 



(iHARLES KOSTELECKY is the pro- 
prietor of the city livery, feed, sale and 
exchange stables, located on the north 
side of Main Street, where he has a largo barn 
for horses, carriage-rooms and offices; every- 
thing is conveniently arranged, and all the 
details of tiie business are promptly attended 
to by him or his assistants. He keeps a good 
stock of carriages, phaetons and spring-wagons 
for liis trade. He started in business in 1882. 
He has been a resident of Shelby eleven years. 
Mr. Kostelecky is a Bohemian by birth and 
was born in March, 1854. He is a son of 
Joseph Kostelecky; he was a lad eight years 
old when his parents came to America and 
located in Johnson County, Iowa, near Iowa 
City, where he grew to manhood. His father 
was a blacksmith, but Charles's first manual 



BIOORAPniCAL SKETCHES. 



517 



al)or was on the farm. He received his 
education in the public schools. In 1877 
he came to Shelby; he first did teaming, 
then he engaged in draying, doing quite an 
extensive business; in 1882 he began the 
livery business. He is a man of unusually 
great physical strength and activity. By a 
strict attention to his business he has secured 
a good trade, and is well worthy of it. Mr. 
Kostelecky was married at Iowa City in 1878 
to Miss Lena Brotershoky, of Iowa City; they 
have four daughters — xVnna, Nell, Sada and 
Lena. Mr. Kostelecky is a Republican, and 
is one of Shelby's active business men. 



E. MORRIS is one of the early settlers 
of the township, coining to the county 
® in the spring of 1870. He was born 
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, January 18, 1838. 
He is a son of Dennis Morris, a native of 
Seneca County, New York, and Olive Orpha 
(Hough) Morris, a native of Canada, although 
reared in Connecticut. D. E. Morris is the 
oldest of thirteen children. When he was 
four years old his parents removed to Peoria 
County, Illinois, where they were early set- 
tlers; here he grew to man's estate; he was 
reared on a farm and received his education 
in the common schools of the country. During 
the Rebellion he went to the defense of the old 
flag; he enlisted October 10, 1801, in the 
Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, Company H, 
at Lincoln's call for 300,000 more men, and 
was mustered into the service December 26, 
1861. He was first under fire at Fort Donel- 
8on; later in the battles of Shiloh, the siege 
of Corinth, the battle of Corinth, Town Creek, 
Rcsaca, Kingston, Rome, Altoona Pass, At- 
lanta, Savannah, Bentonville, and Sherman's 
inarch to the sea; he was honorably discharged 
December 25, 1864. He then returned to 



Peoria County, Illinois. He was married to 
Miss Mary C. Vanduyn, October 10, 1865; 
she was a native of Seneca County, New York, 
and a daughter of Dennis and Margaret 
(Mapes) Yanduyn. Mr. Morris engaged in 
farming and carpenter work until 1870, when 
he came to Shelby County. In 1872 he came 
to the land in Shelby Township where he now 
lives; it was wild prairie land, and he was 
one of the first settlers in the neighborhood; 
he has improved the land and has a good, 
comfortable house, a barn for grain and stock, 
and six acres of grove, all indicating the energy 
and economy of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. 
Morris have three children — Allen B., Ellis 
Frank and Jennie Blanche. Mr. Morris is a 
Republican, and a member of the G. A. R., 
Dick Yates Post, No. 364, and a member of 
the Legion of Honor. He is a man well posted, 
kind to all, and one of Shelby Townshijj's best 
citizens and representative men. 



^^.T.ILLIAM EDWARDS is one of the 
W'/m'il ''spresentative men of Shelby Town- 
1^1^ ship; he came here in June, 1869. 
He was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, April 
12, 1838; he is the son of E. J. and Ceynor 
(Phillips) Edwards; he was but eighteen 
months old when his parents came to Amer- 
ica. They first settled in Jackson County, 
Ohio, and later in Gallia County, Oiiio. Will- 
liam E. was reared a farmer and was educated 
in the common schools. In the great Rebell- 
ion, at the first call for three months' men, he 
enlisted at Rock Island, where he was living at 
the time, in the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, 
Company C. He served his tiine, and in 
the fall of 1862, at the call for 300 000 more 
men, he enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-sixth Illinois, Company H, for three 
years; he took an active part in the siege of 



518 



n I STORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Vicksburg, and was in General Steele's expe- 
dition from Helena to Little Kock. lie was 
honorably discharged in August, 1865, as 
First Lieutenant, Iiaving been a brave and 
gallant officer. He came to Mahaska County, 
Iowa, where, in company with a brother, he 
engaged in mercantile business at Beacon. 
About three years later he sold his interest, 
and improved some land he owned in Monroe 
County, Iowa. In 1869 he settled on 160 acres 
of land that he owned in Shelby County; here 
he lias since made his home. His farm lies 
about two and a half miles north of Shelby; 
he has a good house, an orchard, a grove and 
a windmill; the grove contains six acres. He 
was married September 13, 1876, to Miss 
Mary Jane Cousins, born in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, and reared in Muscatine County, 
Iowa; she is a daughter of AVilliam and Mar- 
garet (Armstrong) Cousins. Mr. and Mrs. 
Edwards have two children — Hannah Myrtle, 
born June 20, 1877, and Mary Agnes, born 
November 10, 1882. Mr. Edwards is a Ee- 
publican; he has served on the school board 
with credit to himself; he is a member of the 
Masonic order, Shelby Lodge. He and his 
wife are members of the Presbyterian church. 
He has always taken an activ^e interest in re- 
ligious and educational affairs. He is kind 
and hospitable, and has made many friends in 
his western home. 



■gj C. BROWN came to Shelby County in 
April, 1872. He was born in Jack- 
^* son County, Indiana, February 19, 
1847. He is a son of the llev. J. D. and 
Jane Brown. The mother's name was Still- 
well. R. C. was a lad of eight years when 
Ills fatlier moved to Carroll ( 'onnty, Illinois. 
He was reared on a farm ami received his 
education in the Carroll County public schools 



and at Eagle Point Seminary, Illinois. He 
engaged in teaching, and taught for several 
years, both in Illinois and Iowa. During 
the late war he enlisted in April, 1864, in 
the One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois 
Infantry, Company D. He was honorably 
discharged in November, 1864. He was 
married March 6, 1872, to Miss Ella A. Fra- 
zee, born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. 
When she was ten years of age her parents 
came to Carroll County, Illinois; she was a 
daughter of Npah and Eliza (Maiken) Fra- 
zee. Mr. Brown settled in Shelby in 1872, 
and engaged in teaching for three years. In 
1875 he settled on a farm, where he has since 
lived. He has a good house, a tine grove and 
an orchard. His farm contains eighty acres 
of good rich land near the village. He has 
engaged in farming and general stock-raising; 
everything about tlie farm indicates the 
energy and thrift of the owner. Mr. and 
Mrs. Brown have two children^Claude R. 
and Grant C. Mr. Brown is a Republican, 
and has served as township assessor, as town- 
ship clerk, and as a member of the school 
board. He has filled all these offices with 
credit to himself. He is a member of the 
G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364, and has 
served as Quartermaster for three years. He 
has taken an active interest in education and 
religion, and every enterprise that had for 
its object the advancement of the community. 
He is cordial and genial in his disposition, 
and has made many friends among the citi- 
zens of Shelby Township. 

.. g . } .' i . g ...> 



LARSON is one of the well-known 
prominent citizens of Shelby Town- 
ship. He came to Shelby County in 
the fall of 1870. He was born in Niagara 
County, New York, December 26, 1841; he 




BlOGlUrUICAL SKETUUE8. 



519 



is tlie soil of J. B. Larson, a well known citi- 
zen of the township. Nathaniel was but a 
lad of fonr years when his parents came to 
McUenry County, Illinois, where they lived 
a few years; they then removed to Clayton 
County, Iowa. Our subject was brought up 
on a farm, and received his education in the 
common schools of McIIenry County, Illi- 
nois, and Clayton County, Iowa. He was one 
of the first to answer the call for 75,000 men. 
He enlisted October 20, 1861, in the Thir- 
teenth United States Regular Army, Com- 
pany C, and served three years. He was 
with General Sherman on his famous march 
to the sea. He was first under fire at Yazoo 
Bottom, Arkansas Post, Black Bayou, Cham- 
pion Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, 
Jackson, Collierville, Tennessee, and Mission- 
ary Ridge. Our subject enlisted as a private 
and was discharged as Sergeant, October 20, 
1864, having served three years as a faithful 
and gallant soldier. He returned to Clayton 
County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1865 
moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa. He 
was married July 3, 1866, to Miss Emma 
Price, a daughter of Daniel Price (deceased), 
who was one of Shelby Township's well- 
known pioneers. Mr. Larson, in the spring 
of 1867, moved to Howard County, Iowa, 
where he lived until he caine to Slielby 
County in 1870; here he bought 100 acres of 
wild land, where he has since lived. He now 
owns 320 acres of as good land as the county 
affords. Eighty-seven and one-half acres 
lie in Lincoln Townsliip, section 31, and 
the balance in section 4, Shelby Township. 
His farm is well improved; he has a good 
house and barn, also sheds for stock and a 
windmill. He has a grove of ten acres. 
Everything bespeaks the energy and wise 
management of the owner; he is engaged in 
stock-raising and feeding extensively. He 
has thorough-bred and high-grade cattle. Mr- 



Larson and wife have five children — Ethel, 
Fred D., Roy G., Ralph and Grant. The 
two eldest attend Mount Vernon Seminary, 
Iowa. Mr. Larson is a Republican. He 
served two years as assessor and two years as 
trustee, which he did with credit to himself 
and the best interest of the township. He is 
a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates Post 
No. 364; he is one of the charter members. 
He has always liberally supported any worthy 
enterprise. He is cordial to all, genial in his 
disposition, and has secured the respect and 
confidence of all who know him. 



fOHN BURWELL, house, sign and car- 
riage painter, is one of Shelby County's 
well known citizens, and has been iden- 
tified with the place since 1879. He is a 
native of England, born in Lancastershire, 
eighteen miles from Liverpool, April 30,1838. 
He is a son of George and Mary Burwell, 
natives of England. He attended school 
until he was fifteen years of age, when he 
went to learn the painter's trade. On April 
15, 1865, he sailed from Liverpool to America. 
On the same day news was received on board 
the vessel that President Lincoln had been 
assassinated; this caused great excitement as 
there were many Americans on board. lie 
landed at Castle Garden and from there went 
to Wisconsin, settling in Warsaw County, 
where he worked at his trade some time. He 
traveled quite extensively in Indiana, Illinois 
and Iowa. He worked for a time at Chicago, 
Illinois, and at Davenport, Iowa, and tlien 
came to Shelby, where he soon built up 
a good trade; during the summer season 
he employs three men. His many years of 
practical experience and his thorough knowl- 
edire of the business are the foundation of 
his success. He was married in Shelby 



530 



HISTOllY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



County to Miss Susan Cox. He is a Demo- 
crat, a member of the I. O. O. F., Canopy 
Lodge and Encampment, of Avoca. He is an 
enterprising man and one of Shelby's enter- 
prising citizens. 



fACOB B.LINN is one of Shelby County's 
honored citizens and an ex-soldier. He 
was born in Huntingdon County, Penn- 
sylvania, March 16, 1839. He is a son of 
James, a soldier of the war of 1812, and 
Nancy (Hooker) Lynn. He is the youngest 
of seven children. He received a fair edu- 
cation in the public schools of Pennsylvania, 
and was attending college in order to gain 
an education that would be sufficient for a 
profession, when the war broke out. In an- 
swer to Lincoln's call for 50,000 men lie, in 
company with seven class-mates, enlisted, 
April 23, 1861, in the Eighth Pennsylvania 
Reserves, Company F. He intended to en- 
list for three months, but he served three 
years in the same regiment, lie was under 
lire at Gainesville and took an active part in 
the second battle fought on the Potomac, and 
in the seven days' fight on the Peninsula; 
he was taken prisoner June 27, 1801, and 
sent to Libby Prison; he spent sixty days 
here and at Belle Isle, experiencing all the 
horrors of these terrible prisons. After his dis- 
charge he was unfit for duty and was sent to 
tlie United States hospital in New Jersey, 
but he took French leave and joined his regi- 
ment at Sharpsburg, Maryland. He took an 
active part at Sharpsburg, Antietam, battle of 
Fredericksburg under General Burnside, the 
battle of the Wilderness and in the seven 
days' battle before Richmond. He was hon- 
orably discharged at Spottsylvania Court- 
House, and mustered out of the service at 
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1804, as 



Sergeant. He returned home and took charge 
of his two brothers' farms, they still being in 
the service. He was married October 7, 1864, 
to Hester Ann Chilcote, of Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Alva 
and Catharine (Booker) Chilcote. He lived 
in Pennsy-lvania until 1874, when he came to 
Shelby County. He settled on wild land and 
was one of the first on the prairie; he im- 
proved his land in good style, and has a sub- 
stantial house, and barn for stock and grain. 
The farm consists of 120 acres of rich land, 
two and a half miles from Shelby. Mr. and 
Mrs. Linn have seven children, six sons and 
one daughter — Ambrose B.,McKindre, Anna 
Laura (a successful teacher), Monroe, "Walter 
M. C, Franklin, and Hugh L. Mr. Linn is 
a Republicun. He has served as township 
clerk for three years, as a member of the 
school board, and is the present assessor of 
the township. He has filled all these offices 
with credit to himself and to the best inter- 
est of tiie public. He is a member of the 
G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364; was a 
charter member of the first post of Shelby 
County. He is a member and class-leader o f 
the Metliodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Linn 
and four children are also members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Linn has 
ever taken an active part in religious and edu- 
cational alt'airs, and isalways aliberalsupporter 
of any enterprise that has for its object tlie 
advancement of the best interests of the com- 
munity. He is cordial to all, upright in 
business, and one of Shelby County's most 
valuable citizens. 



,NDREW JACOBSON was born June 
28, 1837, in Schleswig, Denmark; this 
province afterward became a part of 
Germany. He was a son of Peter and Cath- 



'it 




i 't'w: 




^^^^^^>i^<z.€^^ -yCf>s^^fy^^r<^^'' 



BIOORAPHICAL 8KETVHE,S. 



r>-i\i 



arine (Cbristianson) Jacobsou; he lived in 
Denmark until he was thirty years old. He 
attended school until he was sixteen years of 
age, and then woiked on a farm. In the 
spring of 1867 be sailed for America, from 
Copenhagen, via Liverpool, England. He 
landed at Castle Garden, and first went to 
Little Washington, New Jersey, where he 
worked until he went to Davenport, Iowa; 
be then went to Jasper County, Iowa, and 
returned to Davenport where be spent the 
winter and spring of 1868; be again went to 
Jasper County, where he worked two years 
on the railroad. In the spring of 1870 he, 
in company with his brother, drove out to 
Shelby County with an ox-team; he bought 
eighty acres of wild land, and has since made 
a nice home for bis family. He has a 
good frame house, and a barn for stock 
and hay, an orchard and a grove; everything 
shows the owner to be thrifty and prosper- 
ous. Mr. Jacobson was married December 
14, 1867, to Dorothea Kock, at Davenport, 
Iowa; she was born in Denmark and came to 
America when twenty-two years of age. 
They have seven children — Mary, Peter, Ida, 
Andrew, Bertha, Catharine and Clara. Mr. 
Jacobson is a Hepublican, and has served as 
director and road supervisor. He and his 
wife are Lutherans. He has always been in- 
terested in the educational affairs of the 
county. He is honest and upright in busi- 
ness, and is one of Shelby County's success- 
ful farmers and solid citizens. 

Ill ' » I X * ?Ht * A l ^ ' " " 




ILLSON KEAIRNES has been a 
H resident of Shelby County since 1851, 
I'r^MS and therefore can justly lay claim to 
being one of the pioneers of the county. He 
was born in Virginia, November 30, 1824, 
and is the sun of Dunlap and Elizabeth 



(Willson) Keairnes, natives of Virginia, of 
Irish and German ancestry. Willson was 
about seven years of age when the family re- 
moved to Lawrence County, Ohio. There 
j^he father died, leaving a wife and live chil- 
dren — Kobinson, Willson, Jane, Eleanor, and 
Sarah Ann (deceased). Willson was reared 
to farm life, and obtained his education in 
the common schools. About the year 1843 
be went to Missouri and spent one year; 
thence he removed to Illinois and remained 
there five years, and in 1849 he came to Iowa 
and settled at Indian Mills, now known as 
Park's Mills, three miles from Council BluflPs; 
In the spring of 1851 he removed to Grove 
Township, Shelby County, and pre empted a 
tract of 160 acres in what is now section 28. 
There he has made numerous valuable im- 
provements, and has one of the finest farms 
in that part of the county. He has a beauti- 
ful residence, and substantial buildings for 
live-stock and grain. When he settled on 
this place it was in its primitive state. He 
chose his farm partly in the prairie and 
partly in the grove which is now known as 
Keairnes' Grove. When he came to the 
county there were only fifteen men living 
within its borders, so it can readily be seen 
that neighbors were few and far between. 
Nothing daunted Mr. Keairnes' determina- 
tion, and he went to work with a will to 
secure a home for himself. He was almost 
penniless and bad the care of liis aged mother 
and two sisters besides his wife. How well 
he has succeeded can best be demonstrated 
by taking a look at his broad acres of finely 
improved land, well stocked with horses, 
cattle and hogs. His farm covers 360 acres 
of land. In the beginning of his residence 
in the county there were numy hardships to 
endure. The nearest market place was Coun- 
cil Blufls, fifty miles distant; and no differ- 
ence whether it was a pound of coffee or a 



524 



HISTORY OF aUBLBY COUNTY. 



spool of thread, fifty miles must be traveled 
to obtain it. This journey was made by ox 
team or on horseback. Mr. Keairnes was 
officially identified with his township as 
trustee and school director. He affiliatea. 
with the Republican party. He was united 
in marriage, April 8, 1847, to Sarah Parks, 
daughter of Elisha Parks. She was a native 
of Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Keairnes are the 
parents of ten children — Elizabeth, wife of 
Amsey Beadle; Orpha J., wife of C. Sparks 
(both deceased); William H., Harvey R., 
Mindred W., Juliett, Edwin U., George, 
Jennetta, wife of Samuel Buckster; Martha, 
wife of William Hammer. They have also 
reared four orphan children — Ida Sparks, 
May Sparks, Sarah Keairnes, wife of George 
Rumels, and Mary Keairnes, wife of Thomas 
Warren. Mrs. Keairnes is a member of the 
Latter-Day Saints church. 

**' *' & * ! ' ' S ' S" ' " 



fOHN JACKSON, dealer in agricultural 
implements, came to Shelby County in 
the autumn of 1887. He is a native of 
Indiana, born in Montgomery County, June 
8, 1848. He is a son of W. T. and Rachel 
(Miller) Jackson, natives of Kentucky and 
pioneers of Iudi;ina. In 1852 the family 
emigrated to Iowa and settled in Guthrie 
County, where John was reared on a farm 
and received his education in the public 
schools. He resided with his parents until 
he was twenty-five years old. Mr. Jackson 
was married March 2, 1873, to Miss Susan 
Warren, a native of Ohio, a daughter of A. 
I. and Melissa (Ogle) Warren, an old family 
of Noble County, Ohio. After his marriage 
Mr. Jackson settled on a farm in Guthrie 
County, five miles north of Panora. Here 
he lived until the winter of 1875, wiien he 
purchased a hardware store in Panora, whicli 



he managed until 1879. He then sold out 
and removed to Cloud County, Kansas, and 
opened up a farm, where he resided one year. 
He then went to Cawker City, and dealt in 
grain until 1881, then sold out and returned 
to Adair, Iowa, and engaged in the hardware 
and implement business. He sold the hard- 
ware department in 1883. In 1884 he met 
with a serious loss by fire, which could have 
been covered by $3,500. He immediately 
resumed business, which he continued until 
1888, when he sold out. In 1887 he had 
established a hardware trade in Harlan, and 
is now doing a thriving business. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jackson are the parents of six children, 
three of whom survive — Pearl E., George E. 
and Warren. The oldest died in infancy; 
Ollie died at the age of six months, and a 
second child named Ollie died at the age of 
one year. Mr. Jackson is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 821. He 
is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of 
the Encampment. He casts his vote witli 
the Republicans of this country. 

•°*-' ^ ' i"S ' | ' - ^ 



LIVER McDowell, retired, was 
the pioneer blacksmith of Harlan. He 
opened a shop there in the year 1870, 
and continued in the business until 1883, 
when he retired. Mr. McDowell was born in 
Henry County, Indiaiia, at Newcastle, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1820. His father, William Mc- 
Dowell, was born in Vermont in 1800, and 
his mother, Hernida Bundy, was born in 
North Carolina, and reared in Wayne County, 
Indiana; she died when Oliver was a small 
boy, and her husband died in 1884. Our 
subject was reared to farm life, and at an 
early age learned the hlacksmitii's trade, in 
connection with carriage- making. In 1853 
he came to Pella, Marion County, Iowa, and 



B I OG lUPH I a A L a KETCH ES. 



5-35 



there worked at his trade until 1870 when 
lie sold out and came to Harlan. He owns a 
good farm near the town, and a comfortable 
dwelling in Harlan. Mr. McDowell was 
married in Henry County, Indiana, July 26, 
1849, to Mary Frazer, a native of Wayne 
County, Indiana, and a daughter of S. H. 
and Rebecca (Valentine) Frazer. The father 
was a native of North Carolina and died in 
Harlan, in May, 1879; the mother was born 
in Kentucky, and died in Marion County, 
Iowa, September 12, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. 
McDowell have two children living — Ar- 
niinta Taylor, of Denver, Colorado, and 
Albert L. Four children are deceased — Re- 
becca J., "William H., Charles, and Rufus 
K. The last named was a partner of his 
father. Mr. McDowell is an adherent to the 

9 

principles of the Republican party, and has 
served on the town council. He is a con- 
sistent member of the Baptist church. 

~<" "^ * 2 ' ' t * S '* '" 



lEORGE SWINEHART, a farmer of 
Ilarlau Township, has been identified 
with the interests of the county since 
1865. He was born in Stark County, Ohioi 
September 8, 1830, and is a son of John A. 
and Elizabeth (Iliraebaugh) Swinehart, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. The family lived 
in Summit County, Ohio, for several years, 
and in 1847 removed to Elkhart County, In- 
diana. George was reared a farmer, and re- 
ceived bis education in the subscription 
schools. He was married October 20, 1853, 
to Miss Eleanor Philson, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and a daughter of James and Susan 
(llefHeg) Philson. In 1857 Mr. Swinehart 
came to Jasper County, Iowa, where he im- 
proved a farm, and in 1865 he came to 
Shelby County, where he bought ninety-five 

acres of land of Leonard Bowman : he now 
as 



owns 155 acres in the home farm and eighty 
acres in Jackson Township. His home place 
is well improved, having a good residence, a 
large barn, and a fine grove of timber, and 
an orchard. He is ensfao'ed in a:eneral farm- 
ing and stock-raising. By his first marriage 
he had eight children — James, Elfie, Emma, 
Owen P., Lemuel E., George M., Susan B., 
Ed. D. ; one child died, William Darbin, at 
the age of four years. Mrs. Swinehart died 
May 6, 1874; she was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, and was a kind wife 
and an affectionate mother. Mr. Swinehart 
was again married January 19, 1885, to Miss 
Elizabeth Culler, a native of Stark County, 
Ohio, and a daughter of Benjamin and Cath- 
erine (Myers) Culler. The father was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and the mothei" was a native 
of France, who came to Ohio, when eight 
years of age. By this marriage Mr. Swine- 
hart has one child, Goldie Mildred. Our 
subject is a Republican, and has served several 
years as township trustee with credit to him- 
self. He has given his children a good edu- 
cation, and two of his daughters are successful 
teachers. Mr. Swinehart is a worthy member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has 
always taken an active interest in the relig- 
ious and educational affairsof the community. 
He and his family are highly respected mem- 
bers of the community in which they live. 



E. GRAVES, farmer, of Harlan Town- 
ship, has been identified with the 
^' county since 1870. He was born in 
Jo Daviess County, Illinois, February 23, 
1849, and is a son of Homer Graves, a promi- 
nent pioneer of Jo Daviess County, Illinois. 
C. E. grew to manhood in his native county, 
where he was trained to agricultural pursuits 
and educated in the public schools of the 



530- 



UISrURY OP SHELBY VOUNTT. 



county. In 1870 became to Shelby County, 
and in 1872 he bought land on which he 
lived until 1875, when he purchased what is 
known as the old Castile t'ariii; this place 
M'as first settled by a man named Lyon. In 
1884: Mr. Graves built on this place. The 
farm contains 360 acres of land, well watered 
and well improved; besides his residence 
there are buildings for stock and grain. Mr. 
Graves was united in marriage in Stephen- 
son County, Illinois, February 25, 1872, to 
Miss Carrie-Daws, a daughter of Thomas and 
Charlotte (Neeves) Daws. She was born, 
reared and educated in Stephenson County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of five 
children — Eodney E., Charlotte E., Clotilda, 
John and Azalia D. In political matters 
Mr. Graves aftiliates with the Republican 
party. lie has served as a member of the 
school board. By energy, industry and up- 
right dealing Mr. Graves has gained an envi- 
able position in the county. 



►>^*- 



|EN JAMIN ROBERTS, of Harlan Town- 
lfe)1 s^''P> claims England by birth, but 
America by adoption. lie was born in 
Yorkshire, England, February 7, 1842, and 
is a sou of Joseph and Hannah (Hurst) Rob- 
erts, also natives of Yorkshire. He remained 
in his native land until he was twenty-eight 
years old, so that his coming to America was 
no flight of restless youth, but the determi- 
nation of sober, serious manhood. While 
yet a youth he went to work in a cotton fac- 
tory, where he was employed until 1870. In 
1866 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Eliza Ann Smithers, who was born and reared 
n Yorkshire, England, and who was a daugh- 
iter of John and Adelaide Smitliers. Mr. 
Roberts, with his ftimily and brother Will- 
iam, sailed from Liverpool for New York in 



1870, and thence came directly to Shelby 
County, Iowa. He bought forty-five acres 
of land where he now lives, and also owns 
eighty acres in section 20, Harlan TownsJiip. 
He has a comfortable home, and buildings 
for live-stock, to the raising and care of which 
he gives special attention. Mr. Roberts has 
two children — Sarah Ellen and Hannah. His 
great loss was the death of his beloved wife, 
which occurred in 1881. She was a good 
neighbor, a loving mother, and a devoted 
wife. Mr. Roberts lost one son, Joseph, at 
the age of seven years; he was drowned in the 
river. Mr. Roberts is not bound to any 
political party, but casts an independent suf- 
frage. He is yet in the prime of life, and is 
one of Shelby County's reliable and respected 
citizens. 



Ejj^rtARTIN OBRECHTis one of the pio- 
raW j,gg,.g (jf Shelby County, having been 
identified with its interests since 1857. 
He was born in Strasburg, France, Novem- 
ber 17, 1835, and is the son of Martin 
and Catharine (Miller) Obrecht, natives of 
France. He was sent to school until he was 
fourteen years old, and then he worked on a 
farm for four years. At the age of eighteen 
years he came to America, and settled in 
Ashland County, Ohio, where he lived 
two years ; he then removed to Elkhart 
County, Indiana, where he resided two years. 
In 1857 he came to Shelby County, and at 
tiie end of three years he returned to Elkhart 
County, Indiana, and was married February 
5, 1860, to Miss Mary Bachman, a native of 
Germany, and daughter of George William 
and Anna Gertrude (Eckhart) Bachman, na- 
tives of Germany. The father died in Ger- 
many, and the widow emigrated to America 
with her children when Mary was thirteen 





A^d 



/^-^y-^.i'^r 



€ 



-^..^Z.^'^-yyC^* C^^^ 



iCTf^ 



DIOORAPUICAL SKErClIES. 



539 



j'ears old. Soon after their marriage Mr. 
and Airs. Obrecht, with all their possessions, 
which consisted of a team of horses, a wagon, 
and a few dollars, returned to Shelby County, 
Iowa. They had brave hearts and willing 
hands, and were not afraid of work; they set- 
tled on fifty acres ot land near Bowman's 
Grove, where they lived until 1871, when 
they came on their present farm; this was 
then wild land, and there was not another 
house between thetn and Harlan; the place 
contains 240 acres under good cultivation; 
there is a comfortable residence, surrounded 
with five acres of grove, and a large barn, 
having a stone basement; there are buildings 
for stock and grain, and all the surroundings 
show the economy and wise management of 
the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Obrecht are the 
parents of nine children — George W., Will- 
iam M., Aletta C., Charles O., Lillie May, 
John Albert, Rufus Chaucer, Anna Gertrude, 
and Mary Huldah. Politically Mr. Obrecht 
is a member of the Democratic party. He 
and his wife are worthy members of the 
Dunkard church. He is a deacon in the 
church, and gave two acres for the church 
grounds. Mr. and Mrs. Obrecht have given 
tlieir children a good education, and have in- 
stilled in their minds good principles. They 
are plain of n:anner and speech, firm in tlieir 
convictions of right and wrong, and are 
among Shelby County's most respected cit- 
izens. 



►>^-^ 



pMUND PENNISTON, a native of 
Leicestershire, England, was born De- 
cember 15, 1845, and is the son of 
George and Caroline (Thaup) Penniston, who 
emigrated to America when our subject was 
six years old. They settled in La Fayette 
County, Wisconsin, where Edmund was reared 



and where the parents resided until death. 
The father jjassed away in 1883, and the 
mother had gone before, in 1867. Mr. Penn- 
iston was one of a family of twelve children, 
and was trained to the occupation of a farmer. 
He assisted his father on tlie home farm until 
he was twenty-four years old, when he started 
in business for himself, renting a farm in 
company with his father for one year. He 
was married July 2, 1870, to Miss Mary J. 
Theobald, daughter of Robert and Isabella 
(Bernard) Theobald. The father is a native 
of England, and is still living. The mother 
was born on Prince Edward's Island, and died 
in 1886. Mrs. Penniston was born in Iowa 
County, Wisconsin, April 2, 1853. Mr. 
Penwiston and wife are the parents of four 
children — Carrie B. (deceased), Robert G., 
Ross E. and Ed Leroy. They have become 
much attached to a bright little girl of four- 
teen years. Lulu Cynthia Pratt, who has lived 
with them since her mother's death, five years 
since. After tlieir marriage they continued 
their residence in La Fayette County, Wis- 
consin, for fifteen months, and then went to 
Crawford County, Iowa, where they remained 
one year. In 1873 they came to Shelby 
County and settled on 160 acres of wild 
prairie in section 7, Greeley Township, which 
they have since made their home. Here Mr. 
Penniston has erected a comfortable frame 
residence, and barns for stock and grain, all 
bespeaking the energy and enterprise of the 
owner. He has added to his first purchase 
of land until he owns 400 acres of as fine 
land as Shelby County affords, all lying on 
the gentle slopes of the West Nishnabotna 
Creek, two miles north of Defiance. He ile- 
votes himself to farming and stock-raising, 
and has been very successful in these avoca- 
tions. Mr. Penniston is identified with the 
Republican party, and has held nuiiiy posi- 
tions of honor and trust in his township, 



530 



UISTORY OF aUELUY COUNTY. 



serving eight years as trustee, and eight con- 
secutive years as treasurer of the school 
board. Starting in life with very little of 
this world's goods, Mr. Fenniston has just 
cause for pride in the position which he 
occupies in the county, financially, polit- 
ically and socially. 






fll. GUTHRIE, a native of Jones County, 
Iowa, born July 10, 1865, is a son of 
® Clement and Agnes (Brown) Guthrie, 
natives of Scotland, who came to America 
about 1841; they located first at Salem, Mas- 
sachusetts, where Mr. Guthrie acted as fore- 
man in a factory; he afterward came to Iowa, 
settling in Jones County, where they still 
reside. There is a family of ten children, 
five boys and five girls, of whom our subject 
is the youngest; he was brought up to farm 
life and received his earlier education in the 
common schools. When at the age of four- 
teen he attended High School, and commenced 
teaching when but sixteen years old. He 
taught and attended school alternately for 
some time, teaching to provide means with 
which to continue his education. He took a 
course at Eushnell, Illinois, Business College, 
graduating from this school in art and pen- 
manship. Afterward he attended the Iowa 
State Medical University, Iowa City; then he 
taught for a time, and afterward entered Rush 
Medical College for one term ; he then went 
to Louisville, Kentucky, and attended the 
Louisville Medical College; he graduated from 
this institution in 1887, when he came to 
Shelby County, Iowa, locating at Kirkmaa in 
August, 1887. Here he has established him- 
self in his profession and has a good practice. 
Doctor Guthrie was married April VZ, 1888, 
to Miss llattie Pank, a daughter of Jonathan 
and Anna (Watson) Fank, natives of Penn- 



sylvania; she was born in Illinois, May 16, 
1868. The Doctor possesses eight diplomas: 
One of general practice, chemistry, surgery, 
penmanshi]), literature and art, and some 
minor ones. As a penman he has few equals; 
he defeated Prof. Iloff in an exhibition of 
penmanship at the Cass County Fair, and has 
many fine specimens of his skill, which deco- 
rate his home. When he undertakes a thing 
it is with a determination to excel, and well 
does he execute his desires. He is a live, 
energetic man, and we anticipate for him a 
brilliant career. He is courteous and afi'able 
and at once wins the respect and esteem of 
those with whom he comes in contact. 



IIERSON FOUNTAIN, a native of Mead 
r*v' County, Kentucky, was born March 5, 
1838, and is the son of William and 
Maria Fountain. He was reared in his native 
State, and it was not until he had attained 
his twenty-third year that he removed to 
Noblesville, Indiana. He made this his home 
until 18G2, when he went to Boston, Massa- 
chusetts, and enlisted in Company D, Fifty- 
fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He 
served three years, and was twice wounded 
during the battle of Honey Hill. He par- 
ticipated in a number of hard-fought battles, 
and after the war returned to Boston, going 
thence to Hamilton County, Indiana. There 
he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
O. Roberts, a native of Hamilton County, 
Indiana. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren — Augustus, Edward, Ida .and Harrison. 
In 1867 Mr. Fountain came to Shelby County 
and located on a farm of 160 acres in Doug- 
las Township. He has made many improve- 
ments upon this land and has placed it under 
cultivation. Politically he is a staunch Re- 
publican. He has held the ofiice of road 



BIOORAPUrCAL SKBTGHBS. 



531 



supervisor, and has done much toward the 
advancement and progress of Shelby County. 
Mr. Fountain is a member of the A. F. & 
A. M. 



A. NIEMAN, a native of Hanover, 
Germany, born August 24, 1831, is a 
: * son of Christopher and Dora Nieman. 
His early life was spent in Germany on a 
farm. He took the regular course in the 
common schools, which covers a period of 
eight years, and after that he studied for over 
a year. In 1854 he came to America and 
located in Wisconsin, remaining over two 
years; he then took a trip down the Missis- 
sippi E.iver, stopping at all the principal 
towns, making the longest stays in Daven- 
port, Burlington and Saint Louis; at the lat- 
ter place he remained about two years; he 
continued his trip as far south as Memphis, 
Tennessee, intending to visit New Orleans, but 
the yellow fever was infesting the city at that 
time and he decided not to venture any 
farther. He then returned to St. Louis and 
spent two summers in Illinois, about seventy- 
five miles from St. Louis; after that he re- 
turned to Wisconsin, where he farmed one 
year and then sold out, going to Madison, 
Wisconsin, where he remained one year or 
more. In 1875 he moved to Avoca, Iowa, 
where he worked for Caldwell in his elevator 
for over two years; from there he went to 
Walnut, where he engaged in tiie farming- 
implement business, in company with his 
son-in-law, H. C. Hanson, for one year; he 
then sold out his interest and came to Shelby 
County, and purchased a farm in Douglas 
Township, of 100 acres, which was but par- 
tially improved. Here he went to work to 
make himself a farm and a home, which he 
has done by hones ttoil; he has placed the 



soil under good cultivation and improved the 
place till there is none better in the county; 
he has increased the farm to 240 acres. He 
has built a beautiful frame residence, with 
barns for stock and grain, and has planted 
about one and a half acres of grove, all of 
which bespeak the wise management and 
spirit of the owner; he employs his time ex- 
clusively in farming and stock-raising. Polit- 
ically Mr. Nieman is liberal in his views, 
casting his vote for the man he considers best 
qualified for the office. He was married 
December 21, 1861, to Dora, daughter of 
Christ and Kate Meyer; she was born in Han- 
over, Germany, September 24, 1839, and came 
to America in 1861. They are the parents 
of six children — Emma, wife of H. C. Hanson, 
resides in Nebraska; Augusta H., wife of P. 
F. Cold, resides in Irwin; Henry W., Lewis 
F., Julia E., and Willie J. C. are at home. 

" ' "£ * S"t * S" ' " 




W. CROFT was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and married Mary M. Saner, 
® also of Pennsylvania, where they were 
reared and passed their early life. After their 
marriage, at a very early day, they moved to 
Ohio and located in Coshocton County. Mr. 
Croft was a man devoted to agricultural pur- 
suits, and is still living, at the advanced age 
of eighty-two years. They had a family of 
eleven children — Catharine (deceased), Lydia 
A., wife of Thomas Mulford, resides in Frank- 
lin County, Iowa; John, who also resides in 
Franklin County, Iowa; Betsey (deceased); 
Joseph resides in Page County, Iowa; Mary 
A., wife of Samuel Dick, resides in Kansas; 
Hannah, wife of William Hawlin, resides in 
Nebraska; N. C, the subject of this sketch; 
George S. resides in Douglas Township; two 
children died in infancy. N. (J. Croft was 
born in Coshocton County, Oliio, October 1, 



532 



HISTORY OF SUBLET COUNTY. 



1844, where he was reared to farm life. In 
August, 1875, he landed in Shelby County, 
locating on section 23, Douglas Township, on 
a farm of 120 acres of improved land. When 
he landed here he had only twelve head of 
cattle, five horses, and less than §5 in money. 
Here he went to work on the raw prairie to 
carve out a home for himself and family, and 
by dint of hard and honest toil he has suc- 
ceeded in securing what he has labored for, 
having to-day one of the best farms in Doug- 
las Township. He has erected good buildings, 
planted groves and made other improvements. 
He devotes himself to farming and stock- 
raising, and is a member of the Farmers' Al- 
liance. He was married April 5, 1867, to 
Minerva Allen, daughter of Elizabeth Allen; 
she was born in May, 1851. They are the par- 
ents of six children — Nellie, Maud, Claud U., 
Fred, Pearl and Nettie. 



' 3"S ' | '»«°- 



fM. ROBERTSON is a native of Brown 
County, Indiana, born March 29, 1852, 
' a son of W. R. and Elizabeth J. (Baily) 
Robertson, natives ofTennessee and Kentucky. 
In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa with his 
parents, locating in Poweshiek County, on a 
farm where he was reared and where he re- 
ceived his education in the common schools 
of the neighborhood. He was brought up on 
a farm and spent his life in this capacity until 
February, 1888, when he came to Kirkman. 
He iignred quite jjrominently in the local 
political field in Poweshiek County, holding 
the office of justice of the peace and several 
minor offices, an evidence that he had the 
confidence of the people, especially in the good 
old Democratic party, which he represented. 
He is a lover of good horses, and is working 
to improve the quality by introducing a couple 
of standard stallions, a Norman and a Clydes- 



dale, which he has brought with him to Shelby 
County. In May, 1888, he purchased the 
Kirkman House, the only hotel in Kirkman, 
which he now owns and controls, and where 
he and his wife can be found, who will give 
you a cordial greeting and extend the comforts 
of a liome. They are well adapted to the avo- 
cation they have chosen, and Kirkman has 
need to be proud of her hotel and its proprie- 
tors. Mr. Robertson was married May 24, 
1888, to Margaret, daughter of Phillip and 
Eliza Reid, who was born August 20, 1855, 
in Jasper County, Iowa; her parents were 
natives of New Hampsliire and North Caro- 
lina. She had two cliildren by a former mar- 
riage, Frederick and Raymond. 



fC. BUCKMAN.— When western Iowa 
was in its infancy, a wild, uncultivated 
® prairie, inhabited by few white people, 
and visited by the ferocious red man when- 
ever it pleased his unruly disposition, J. C. 
Buckman came to Shelby County. April 1, 
1869, he brought his young bride to the new 
country, when they began to make a home for 
themselves. They purchased eighty acres of 
land from Ephraim Douglas, in section 18, 
Douglas Township. Immediately after their 
arrival they set about to build a rude hut for 
temporary residence; this was accomplished 
by erecting four posts in the corners of a 
square, putting in siding of slabs, and com- 
pleting the whole by an entire roof of tarred 
paper; so a little home was made in a space 
10 X 12 feet, and although the most comfort- 
able quarters, judging from the exterior, the 
interior was made bright and shining by the 
affable wife, who knew the needs of the occa- 
sion, and suited herself thereto. She made 
the little place a palace, indeed, with her con- 
stant congeniality and contented spirit. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



533 



tlie meantime they labored patiently, early 
and late, to erect a comfortable residence; the 
lumber was purchased in Dunlap, thirty miles 
away, but the nearest point; there were many 
small streams to be crossed after leaving Dun- 
lap; so, when there was a heavy load, Mr. 
Buckman was compelled to unload most of 
the lumber, drive the mules across the stream, 
then carry the lumber over and re-load. In 
this way the lumber for his present residence 
was secured. But he and his wife were de- 
termined to succeed in their efforts for anew 
home, and met all the unpleasant features un- 
flinchingly. At one time they were out of 
flour, and not being able to procure any, 
their only resort was the coffee-mill; they 
ground wheat, of which they made bread and 
cakes for six weeks. At last they decided 
to conduct a ferry boat to cross the many 
streams; they made the boat of an old 
hollow basswood tree, by fastening boards 
firmly to both ends, and attaching a wash- 
tub securely to one side to prevent it 
from upsetting; by means of a rope stretched 
across the streams from one bank to the op- 
posite one, acting' as a propeller, they were 
able to cross the streams when quite high, 
with safety. And they are now reaping the 
reward of their earnest and unremitting toil. 
They own a fine farm of 160 acres; two acres 
of this are in a grove, and two in a thrifty 
orchard. Mr. Buckman devotes his time to 
farming and stock-raising. He spent his 
earlylife on a farm in Newtown, Pennsylvania, 
where he was born February 7, 1846. He is 
a son of William and Sarah (Cooper) Buck- 
man. March 4, 1860, he was married to 
Anna D., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Daniels, February 16, 1851, being the date 
of her birth; she is a native of Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. buckman are 
the parents of four children — Julia D., Bes- 
sie Belle, Harry W. and Roy, all at home. 



Politically Mr. Buckman lends his support to 
the Republican party. He has held the oflice 
of township clerk for twelve years, and has 
also served as trustee for several years. He 
assisted in the organization of the township, 
and was one of the promoters of the Shelby 
County Agricultural Society, and is at pres- 
ent one of its directors. In all things per- 
taining to the advancement of the county 
Mr. Buckman has taken an active interest, 
thereby gaining the confidence and respect of 
all his acquaintance. 

" ' " ' ^* s * * t * S ' " -»** — 




|m PULVER, son of Waudle and Nellie 
||y|t (McCarthy)Pulver, wasbornin New 
'* York State, May 16, 1835, where 
his boyhood was passed on a farm. His edu- 
cation though somewhat limited, compared 
with that received in the schools of to-day, 
was obtained principally in the common 
schools. When at the age of thirteen he ac- 
companied his parents to Illinois, locating on 
a farm in Carroll County, where the greater 
portion of his life was spent. He remained 
there twenty years, engaged in the pursuit of 
farming. Subsequently he removed to White- 
side County, where he remained until 1883, 
when he came to Shelby County, Iowa, and 
located on the Carter farm, in section 19, 
which he has since made his home. In 1860, 
April 29, he was married to Martha Delitt 
Bunco, the daughter of James A. L. and 
Esther Bunce, born July 14, 1842; she is also 
a native of New York State. They are the 
parents of eight children — William resides in 
Colorado; Dennis (deceased); Jennie, wife 
of Edward Smith, of Custer County, Ne- 
braska; Frank, Herbert A., Arthur L., Lloyd 
v., Clarence C. The five latter are at home. 
Mrs. Pulver is a wortliy member of the Chris- 
tian church. In 1862 Mr. Pulver enliste<l in 



534 



HISTORY OF SHBLDT COUNTY. 



Company H, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and served his country about one 
year in her defense against the south. The 
family are numbered among Shelby County's 
most worthy and respected citizens. 

'"•' ^ • 2"S ' |" - 



,[c^HOMAS MITCHELL, a native of the 
north of Ireland, born about 1826, is 
the son of Charles and Sarah (McKee) 
Mitchell, natives of Donegall and Tyrone 
counties. When oursubject was aliout seven 
years old the family came to America, to 
Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, where they re- 
mained about six years on a farm ; from there 
they went to Holmes County, Ohio, remain- 
ing about seven years; then they went to 
Knox County, Illinois, remaining until 1874, 
when Mr. Mitchell came with his wife to 
Iowa, settling in Shelby County, Douglas 
Township, section 4, on a farm of 240 acres 
of wild and unimproved land. Here he 
erected a house and commenced life afresh in 
tlie new country. This land he has improved 
until to-day his farm ranks with the finest in 
the county, all of which he has accomplished 
by hard and unremitting labor. They had to 
undergo many hardships in the beginning of 
their life in the new country, but they faced 
them bravely, and have succeeded in making 
themselves comfortable for life. Mr. Mitchell 
was married July 18, 1852, to Lucinda, 
daughter of Adam and Sophia Hendricks, 
natives of North Carolina and Indiana. Mrs. 
Mitchell was born in Indiana, January 4, 
1831. They are the parents of eleven chil- 
dren — Sarah, wife of C. Landon, of Shelby 
County; Mary, wife of Samuel Bird, of 
Shelby County; Alexander, also residing in 
Shelby County; Ellen, wife of Edmoud Cazad, 
residing in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Anna, 
wife of Henry Wells, of Defiance, Shelby 



County; Jane, wife of John Anderson, of 
Shelby County; Albert, of Shelby County; 
Alvin, of Shelby County; Landeema (de- 
ceased); Laura, wife of Albert Bigler, resid- 
ing in Clay County, Iowa; Ora, at home. 
Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Christian 
church, and they are among Shelby County's 
most valuable and esteemed citizens. Mr. 
Mitchell is a Democrat. He now possesses 
700 acres of land, most of which he has 
placed under cultivation. 






'HOMAS DARLING was born in New 
York, December 6, 1821; he is the son 
of John and Hannah (Pennock) Dar- 
ling, both natives of New York. He was 
brought up on a farm and received liis educa- 
tion in the common schools, which at that 
time were not the best. He devoted himself 
chiefly to farming, but at times engaged in 
lumbering on the Allegheny. About the 
year 1858 he came west and settled in Wau- 
paca County, Wisconsin, where he remained 
until 1871; he then came to Shelby County, 
Iowa, and rented land for several years; in 
1880 he purchased forty acres in section 2, of 
wild uncultivated land; the same summer he 
purchased another forty acres, and has con- 
tinued to buy until he now owns 375 acres 
of as fine land as lies in Shelby County. He 
has made most of the improvements himself. 
He has a substantial frame house and a barn 
for grain and stock; everything indicates the 
economy and good management of the owner. 
He is a live, energetic man, as is shown by 
his increasing wealth; few have surpassed him 
since he began preparing his home. He has 
held the office of road supervisor and is a 
member of the school board; he always assists 
anything that tends to advance the interests of 
the educational features of the county; he 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKEl'GHES. 



535 



directs his attention to farming and stock- 
raising. He was married November 24, 
1869, to Mary A. Kelsey, daughter of II. P. 
and Ann (Landt) Kelsey, natives of New 
York. Mrs. Darling was born in Wisconsin, 
while it was yet a Territory, July 15, 1845. 
They are the parents of three children — 
Darwin, Thomas and Myrtle, all at home. 
They are among Shelby County's most worthy 
and honored citizens. Mr. Darling has always 
supported the Democratic principles. 

S ' ^"t ' ^ '*'" — 



fOHN O. CLOSTER, a native of Canada, 
born September 16, 1856, is the son of 
Christopher O. and Bertha E. (Walder) 
Closter, natives of Norway. The father came 
to America at a very early day, and followed 
ship-brokerage and speculating. The mother 
came with her parents to America. Iver and 
Walder settled in La Salle County, Illinois, 
where they became cpiite prominent as 
straight forward, honorable citizens. Mr. 
Walder was a farmer, and his family be- 
longed to the aristocracy of Norway. John 
O., the subject of this sketch, began the 
struggle of life for himself when but ten and 
a half years old. He went to Chicago and 
engaged with Henry Sweet as clerk in a drug 
store; he remained with him about three 
years, and secured a fair knowledge of the 
business. He then followed farming for one 
year, and returned to Montreal, Canada. 
Here he engaged with Cox & Green as cus- 
tom house clerk, and remained several years ; 
he was afterward appointed assistant secre- 
tary of the council of arts and manufactures, 
retaining this position for two years. He 
then resigned and returned to Chicago, seek- 
ing and obtaining employment with McNeal 
& Higgins, wholesale grocers, at a salary of 
§25 per month. He resigned this position 



after a service of eight years, on account of 
ill health, leaving a salary of $150 per month. 
He was married Noveml)er 16, 1880, to Miss 
Julia, daughter of John C. and Sophia John- 
son. She was born in Christiana, Norway, 
June 8, 1862. They are the parents of three 
children — Osborn C, Lyle O., and Lucile. 
In 1886 Mr. Closter came to Kirkman, and 
opened a stock of general merchandise, where 
anything can be found from the finest fabric 
to heavy machinery. He carries a stock 
of about $9,000. He is a self-made man, 
enjoying the confidence and esteem of all 
who know him. He is live and active in his 
business, and Shelby County has made a 
worthy acquisition by receiving Mr. Closter 
into her business circles. Politically he is a 
Republican. 



■ : "S' ^ " 



UKE McDowell, a native of Powe- 
shiek County, Iowa, was born Decem- 
ber 14, 1848. He is the son of John 
and Lucinda (Perry) McDowell, natives of 
Pennsylvania and Ohio. He was reared on 
a farm, and received the education then fur- 
nished by the common schools of the coun- 
try. He was married January 1, 1867, to 
Eliza Jane Mitchell, daughter of George and 
Mary J. (Cox) Mitchell, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. She was born March 6, 1846, in 
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and came to 
Iowa in 1865. They are the parents of six 
children — Perry, resides in Saunders County, 
Nebraska; Euphemia, Thomas, Cooper, Odessa 
and Eva. In 1869 they came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, and settled on a farm of sixty 
acres of unimproved land. Mr. McDowell 
erected a good frame building, and they com- 
menced life in the then new country. After 
having raised the first crop, and storing it in 
granaries and ricking his hay, everything 



536 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



prepared for the winter, it was all destroyed 
by lire, and lie lost his entire crop. But lie 
was not discouraged, as is shown by his pres- 
ent beautiful home and surroundings. He 
has one of the finest farm residences in 
the couErty, and barns for stock and grain; 
he has some grove for a wind-break. He 
has added to his first purchase until he now 
owns 201 acres of as fine land as lies in 
northern Shelby County. He occupies his 
time in farmint]^ and stock-raising. He is 
an advocate of the Union Labor party audits 
principles, taking an active interest in the 
issues of the day. The family are numbered 
among Shelby County's most estimable 
people. 



" *' iii * »"S - 



fACOB J. MILLER, farmer and stock- 
raiser, section 13, Harlan Township, has 
been interested in the welfare of Shelby 
County since 1857, when he began his resi- 
dence here. He is a native of Germany, 
l)orn in Alsace, Marcii 8, 1827. He is a son 
of Jacob and Catherine Miller, both natives 
of Alsace. When he was one year old his 
parents emigrated to America, landing at 
Baltimore, where they lived about one year. 
Then they moved near Hagerstown, Mary- 
land, where they resided until Jacob, Jr., was 
si.x years old, when they moved to Butler 
County, Ohio. January of the year 1845 
found the family in Elkhart County, Indiana, 
where the father bought eighty acres of heavily 
timbered land, whicli he began to improve. 
Ileie tlie parents remained the rest of their 
lives. The mother died in June, 1855, and 
the father passed -to liis eternal rest at the age 
of si.xty-five years. They were the parents 
of ten children, five of whom still survive. 
Jacob J. was seventeen years old when his 
parents removed to Indiana. He remained 



with his parents for five years, assisting in 
clearing and improving the farm. He was 
married May 30, 1850, to Miss Nancy Jane 
McConnell, a native of Ohio, and a daughter 
of James McConnell. After his marriage he 
cleared a farm in Indiana, and there made his 
home until the spring of 1857, when he 
moved to Iowa. The trip was made in twenty 
days with a team of horses. He bought 220 
acres of land, only eleven acres of it being 
broken. There was a small log cabin, 14 .x 16 
feet, into which he moved his family. A 
part of the land was entered by a man named 
Dalton, and forty acres in section 12 by 
Dwight Terrill. Mr. Miller has since fol- 
lowed farming and stock-raising. He has a 
landed estate of 500 acres, and has given 400 
acres to his children. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
are the parents of seven children — Mary 
Catherine, the wife of Park F. Philson, of 
Jackson Township; Charles M. died May 7, 
1874, at the age of twenty years; Susan Per- 
melia, the wife of Alexander Philson, of 
Harlan Township; Samuel M., Daraaris Jane, 
John C. and George H. Mrs. Miller is a 
member of the Brethren cliurch. Mr. Miller 
was elected, in 1862-'68-'64, a member of 
the board of supervisors, and also sub- 
director. Politically he afliliates with the 
Democratic party. Mr. Miller is a self-made 
man, and by industry and thrift and uprigiit 
dealing has made an enviable place for him- 
self, socially and financially. 






H. MILLER was born on the old 
Miller homestead in Harlan Town- 
** ship, Shelby County, Iowa, October 
10, 1858. He is the fourtli child of J. J. 
Miller. He remained with his parents until 
he grew to manliood. He received liis edu- 
cation in the common schools. Mr. Miller 




^■^- M.^^,. 



r^ 



DIOar.APUICAL SKETCHES. 



539 



was inarried in February, 1882, to Miss Mat- 
tie E. Carter, a daughter of Henry and Eliza- 
beth (Barnhill) Carter. They are the parents 
of three children, two sons and one daughter 
— Charles J., Eva Lena and Ralph Waldo. 
Mr. Miller began his married life on an 
eighty-acre tract of land, given him by his 
father. Here he resided for one year, and 
then bought his present home. He owns 240 
acres of valuable land, which he has greatly 
improved. Mrs. Miller is a member of the 
Christian church. Her parents are both de- 
ceased. Mr. Miller has departed from the 
political faith of his father, and votes with 
the Republican party. 

— | ' I"t - g -'°- 




^.g^ILLIAM H. DENT, a native of Jef- 
ferson County, Indiana, born April 
18, 1849, is a son of Daniel and Mary 
(Parsons) Dent, natives of Lynn City, Eng- 
land, who now reside in Marshall County, 
Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-three and 
eighty-seven years. They are the parents of 
seven children, two boys and five girls — Eliz- 
abeth, Robert (deceased), killed in the battle 
at Millican's Bend, having enlisted from 
Marshalltown, Iowa; Ann, Rebecca, Martha, 
Barbara, Alice (deceased), and William H., 
the subject of this sketch, who was born in 
Indiana. When he was three years old his 
parents removed to Champaign County, Illi- 
nois, where they spent five years; then they 
went to Marshall County, Iowa, where the 
remainder of his early life was spent. He 
was reared to farm life; his education was 
received outside of the school-room, being of 
purely practical character. He is a keen ob- 
server and a good, live, energetic business 
man, and stands in the foremost rank of Shelby 
County's well to-do farmers. He came to 
Shelby County, March, 1873, and purchased 



a tract of eighty acres of unimproved land in 
sections 20 and 21, Polk Township; here he 
remained nine years and made many improve- 
ments, erecting the first dwelling on the 
stream, known as Long Branch, which finds 
its source in the extreme northeast part of 
the county. He had to undergo many 
hardships incident to pioneer life, as he was 
among the very first to settle in this ])art of 
the county. Upon this first purchase he 
planted about seven acres of grove, and in 
1881 he sold the forty acres lying in section 
21 and purchiised an adjoining 120 acres in 
section 20, making his farm one quarter-sec- 
tion; it is as fine land as there is in the 
county. He has put it under good cultiva- 
tion, erected a fine frame residence and barns 
for stock and grain; he has planted another 
grove of four acres. He has done much 
toward building up and improving Shelby 
County, and well deserves the esteem and re- 
spect of the citizens. He has always sup- 
ported the Republican party until 1888, when 
he joined his vote with the Union Labor party. 
He was married January 1, 1870, to Loretta 
Gaer, daughter of Shelton and Lorena Gaer, 
natives of Illinois; she was born in Marshall 
County, Iowa, May 12, 1852. They are the 
parents of five children — William R., Robert 
D., Raymond, Mary, Leonard; they have 
three children deceased, twin boys died in 
infancy, and Winnie, who died at the age of 
fifteen months. Shelby County has no peo- 
ple more energetic and deserving. 

— -'■' S - i"t - S — 



IIRIS MICH AELSON, a native of Den- 
mark, born March 18, 1847, is a son of 
Michael and Anna Anderson. He was 
raised in Denmark on a farm, and received his 
education in the common schools of that 
country. In 1867 he came to America and 



540 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



located in Cook County, Illinois, Avliere he 
worked as a farm hand for two j'ears, when 
he came to Iowa, and located at Merrill's 
Grove, Shelby County, Polk Township; here 
he and his brother had purchased sixty acres 
of land partially improved, where he resided 
something over a year when he removed to 
Bowman's Grove, Jackson Township; here 
he had a nine-acre tract of land on which he 
lived about six years, in the meantime pur- 
chasing five acres adjoining his nine-acre 
tract, and an eighty-acre tract in section 32, 
Polk Township, where his present home now 
stands. He moved on this farm in 1878 ; it 
was a wild piece of prairie land when he pur- 
chased it, but he has built fine barns for stock 
and grain and a fine residence. He has 
planted about five acres of grove and made 
all the improvements that will be seen on a 
well-regulated farm ; it all bespeaks the thrift 
and energy of the owner. When Mr. 
Michaelson came to America he had nothing, 
and to-day he is possessor of over 500 acres 
of land in the county, having one of the 
finest of stock farms. He devotes himself 
to farming and stock-raising, and is one of 
the leading farmers of the county. He is a 
live business man, and is destined to be one 
of the wealthiest citizens. He is a Republi- 
can. He was married November 27, 1872, 
to Mary Christenson, the daughter of Christ 
and Kittie Anderson; she was born Decem- 
ber 28, 1844, in Denmark, and came to 
America in the spring of 1872. 

g . 3 .. fg .. - 



iNDREW J. GROAT, a native of Brown- 
ville, Jefferson County, New Y"ork, was 
born March 6, 1832. He is the son of 
Peter H. and Sarah Ann (Marks) Groat, na- 
tives of New York. When he was seven 
months old his parents removed to Canada, 



where they remained for a short time; from 
Canada they removed to Whiteside County, 
Illinois, and remained there one winter. In 
the spring of 1833 they located in Clinton 
County, Iowa, on the land where Camanche 
now stands. Mr. Groat homesteaded a tract 
of land, and added to it until he owned 320 
acres of land. The Indians had not made 
their final departure when he settled here, 
and the land was wild and uncultivated. 
He erected the first blacksmith shop in this 
section of country, and was one of the first 
mail carriers in that part of Iowa; his route 
lay between Davenport and Dubuque, and 
was known as the River Route. He was one 
of the founders of the town of Camanche. 
In those early days people were compelled to 
go to Elkhorn Grove to mill, a distance of 
thirty miles; it required from one to two 
weeks to make the trip, as the grinding was 
of slow process, being done in an old ox-mill, 
on the tread-mill pattern, such as the people 
of this day and age will see nowhere. But 
they were right glad of even these facilities, 
for very often they were obliged to resort to 
a more ancient mode of grinding; they would 
take a log, and make a wooden mortar four 
or five feet long, and a heavy wooden maul, 
and placing the corn in this mortar, would 
work the maul up and down until the corn 
was mashed into coarse meal. Their meat 
was principally wild, such as deer and turkey. 
Their buildings were of the rudest sort, con- 
structed of rough or hewn logs, with stick 
and clay chimneys, and puncheon floors. Saw- 
mills then were almost unknown, and the lum- 
ber they had was procured by the whip-saw 
process. No one but a veritable pioneer can 
realize the hardships and privations under- 
gone in opening up a new country. Amid 
such surroundings and scenes our subject, 
Andrew J. Groat, grew to maturity; he re- 
ceived his education in the subscription 



lilOORAl'lIWAL SKHTUUBS. 



541 



schools of those days. At the age of six- 
teen years he returned to New York, intend- 
ing to make a visit, but circumstances changed 
his plans and he remained tliree years. lie 
was naturally of a roving disposition, and 
visited a good many points in Illinois. Mr. 
Groat was united in marriage to Miss Nancy 
E. Irwin, December 2, 1858; she is a daughter 
of Andrew and Nancy (Ilaynes) Irwin; the 
father was a native of Ireland, and the mother 
of Germany. She was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, December 18, 1840. Mr. and 
Mrs. Groat are tlie parents of eight children 
■ — John F., Lillie M., wife of George W. 
Moore; Flora B., Nancy E., Andrew J., Vi- 
ola G., Ina E., and Alvin J. In 1872 Mr. 
Groat came to Shelby County, settling in 
Cuppy's Grove, where he rented land for two 
years, and tlien purchased eighty acres of 
land east of the grove. After that he made 
several changes in his location, and finally 
settled in section 3, Polk Township, on a 
farm of 200 acres of partially improved land; 
this he has improved and placed in a tine de- 
gree of cultivation. He is a live, energetic 
man, and stands to-day in the first ranks of 
Shelby County's honored citizens. Mr. and 
Mrs. Groat are members of the United 
Brethren church. lie is a staunch Democrat, 
Ijut refuses to accept any party honors in the 
way of public ofiice. 



jETER MARTINSON was reared in Den- 
j* mai"k, where he was born October 18, 
1830; he is the son of Martin and Anna 
Nelson. He attended the common schools of 
his native country until he was fourteen years 
old, when he began earning his own living as 
a farm hand; he received for his first year's 
work $G; after this, the wages he received 
ranged from §11 to $70, the latter being the 



highest amount ever paid a farm hand in his 
native country. In this manner his life was 
spent while in Denmark. In 1871 he and 
wife came to America, about si.xteeu days 
being occupied in the voyage; they landed at 
Castle Garden and immediately came to the 
west, buying forty acres of land in Douglas 
Township, Shelby County, Iowa; he remained 
here four years; the land was but partially 
improved, and he went into debt for it about 
S900. After four years of labor in making 
improvements he sold this farm, excepting 
five acres, realizing $1,000 from the sale. He 
I then purchased an eighty-acre tract in section 
32, Polk Township, where he now resides. 
Here he has made many improvements, until 
to-day he has one of the finest farms in the 
county; he has added to his first purchase 
until he now om ns 500 acres of excellent land. 
He has a fine frame residence, and barns for 
stock and grain; he lias planted a grove of 
four acres; everything bespeaks the wise man- 
agement and prosperity of the owner. He 
occupies his time in farming and stock-raising, 
dealing quite extensively in both. His life 
shows what a man can do if he has energy 
and ambition, starting as he did with nothing, 
and to-day owning as fine property as Shelby 
County affords. He was married February 
23, 1871, to Mary Martinson; she was born 
in Denmark, March 25, 1845. They are the 
parents cf nine children — Mary, John, Mar- 
tin, Anna, Esther, Samuel, Freddie, Lewis 
and William. They are members of the Bap^ 
tist church. Mr. Martinson is a staunch 
Republican. He was a soldier for two years, 

■^■,, I? ■.•.,,■,«),, .,. 

IS • ' i 

ILL 1AM WADKINS, a native of 
Morgan County, Indiana, is one of 
the pioneers of Shelby County. He 
was born May 10, 1848, and is a son of Ste- 




54-3 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



plien and Rebecca Wadkiiis, of whoiu men- 
tion is made elsewhere in this volume. When 
but a small boy his parents removed to 
Jasper County, Illinois, where they remained 
a few years. Their next place of residence 
was Warren County, Iowa, where they lived 
ten years; here our subject attended the 
common schools and worked on a farm. The 
ne.xt move was to Jasper County, and after a 
few years' residence here, the family removed 
to Shelby County in 1869. Previous to his 
coming to Shelby County, in 1863, Mr. "Wad- 
kins was married to Miss Eliza McKeever, 
who died shortly after they came to the 
county; they had three children — Charles, 
Elizabeth, and Mary Emma (deceased). After 
Mr. Wadkins had been in the county about 
three years he settled on a piece of railroad 
land, where he lived fouryearsand made many 
improvements. He sold this claim and pur- 
chased 240 acres of wild land in Douglas 
Township, wliich he made his home until 
1877, with the exception of two years spent 
in "Washington Territory. He had made many 
improvements on this farm, planting four acres 
of grove, building a good frame residence, and 
barns for stock and grain. He sold this place 
and bought the Highland Grove farm, con- 
sisting of 200 acres. Mr. "Wadkii s devotes 
himself to farming and stock-raising exclu- 
sively, and has been eminently successful in 
this pursuit. In the beginning of the late 
civil war he enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa 
"Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and served 
al)OHt fourteen months; he was discharged on 
account of a wound received in the battle of 
Shiloh. He is a staunch Kepublican,and has 
ever taken an active interest in the welfare of 
the county. July 11, 1872, Mr. "Wadkins 
married for his second wife Miss Louisa Ed- 
wards, daughter of Garland and Lucinda Ed- 
wards, whose sketch will be found in another 
page of this history. Mrs. Wadkins was born 



in Marion County, Iowa, February 14, 1855, 
and came to Shelby County with her parents. 
The result of this marriage is seven children 
— Garland, Frank, Rutherford B., Nellie 
(deceased), Paul, Lulu, and an infant son 
(deceased). 



OAH MILLER, a native of Macon 
County, Illinois, born March 30, 1831, 
is a son of James and Mary (Herrald) 
Miller, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. 
When he was about thirteen years of age he 
left Illinois with his parents and came to Iowa, 
settling in Marshall County, where he made 
his home until 1875; he then came to Shelby 
County, locating in the southwest part of Polk 
Township for one year, when he traded for 
100 acres of partly improved land in Polk 
Township; here he made many first-class im- 
provements and has one of the finest farms in 
this part of the county. He has dealt quite 
extensively in real- estate since coming to the 
county, having owned at one time over 300 
acres of land; he has since sold and divided 
among his children, retaining for himself 100 
acres. He was reared to farm life, owing to 
limited facilities in schooling and much de- 
pending upon him in his youth. Although 
deprived of a good education he has an abun- 
dance of good sense, which he has put into 
use in his business relations; being a close 
observer he has acquired a good practical 
education. He has had a successful career, 
being one of the most prosperous farmers in 
this part of the county. He has devoted him- 
self to farming and stock-raising, aside from 
dealing in stock quite extensively. He is a 
Democrat. Mr. Miller was married February 
7, 1851, to Rebecca Duke, daughter of John 
and Nancy (Mathis) Duke, both natives of 
Kentucky. She was born in Grayson County, 



lilOGRAl'UICAL SKErCIIEH. 



543 



Kentucky, September, 1833, but at the age of 
two years came to Iowa witli her parents, wlio 
located in Des Moines County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are the parents of ten children, seven 
of whom are living — JMancy, wife of L. D. 
"Whitehead, resides in Polk Township; Uriah 
B. resides in Marshall County, Iowa; Charles 
resides in Polk Township; Ruth, wife of L. 
II. Merritt, resides at home; Harriett E., wife 
of II. R. Gaer, resides in Curamings County, 
Nebraska; Mary E. (deceased), wife of Will- 
iam A. Holmes; Lydia A., wife of Joseph W. 
Ross, resides in Polk Township; James I. 
resides at home; Sarah D. (deceased), and an 
infant, (deceased). Mrs. Miller is a member 
of tlie Christian church. 

-■♦■ "| * 3"i ' | ' » •" 



|ALEB SMITH is one of the prominent 
and well-known citizens of Fairview 
Township; he arrived in the county 
May 23, 1870. He was born in Snyder 
County, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1847, and 
is a son of John P. Smith and Elizabeth 
(Tro.xell) Smith, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
Caleb passed his early youth on a farm and 
in attending school; his education was received 
at tlie Freebury Academy, of Snyder County, 
Pennyslvania, and at the Union Seminary, of 
Union County, Pennsylvania. At tlie age of 
seventeen he began teaching school, and was 
very successful. In 1870 he acted on Horace 
Greeley's advice to young men, and went 
west; he traveled over a portion of Ohio, 
Indiana, Michigan and Illinois; he linally 
reached Shelby County, Iowa, where he 
decided to remain. The first season he en- 
gaged in teaching in Monroe Township; in 
the spring of 1871 he was appointed county 
superinlendent of the schools; in the autumn 
of the same year he was elected to this office, 
serving two years with credit to himself and 



tlie best interests of the public schools. In 
Feliruury, 1872, he bonglit 152 acres of land, 
partly improved; iiere he lias since lived, and 
made many improvements, adding to the first 
purchase until he now owns 220 acres of the 
best soil, consisting largely of rich bottom 
lands on the east branch of the Nishnabotna 
River. He has a good frame house, a barn and 
buildings for stock, and a modern windtnill, 
supplying the water for the different yards; 
all the surroundings betray the thrift and 
energy of the owner. Mr. Smith has not sold 
any corn in twelve years, as he fi:ids it more 
profitable to feed it to stock at home; he has 
been very successful in this enterprise. He 
was married January 4, 1874, to Miss Ilattie 
Piefler, a daughter of Benjamin Piefter, a 
prominent pioneer, whose history will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith have two children — Lester and 
Laura E. Mr. Smith is a Democrat,' and is 
one of the wheel-horses of the Democracy in 
the county; he has filled several offices of 
trust, with honor to himself. He is a member 
of the Anti-horse-thief Association of Fair- 
view Township. He is a man well informed 
on general topics; is decided in his views, 
friendly to all, and is numbered with the first 
citizens of the county. 



fESSE HON, a native of Washington 
County, Indiana, was born July 14> 
1827, and is a son of Jacob and Mary 
(Lawrence) Hon, natives of North Carolina. 
When he was five years old his parents re- 
moved to Owen County, Indiana; here he 
was placed on a farm, and attended the sub- 
scription schools, which aflbrded him only a 
limited education; being a close observer, 
however, he has acquired an amount of in- 
formation equal to that of many who have 



544 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



enjoyed superior advantages. Most of his 
early life was spent in clearing up the tim- 
bered land of his native State. Mr. Hon was 
married April 12, 1849, to Miss Matilda 
Fiscus, a daughter of Frederick and Mary 
Magdalene Fiscus, natives of North Carolina. 
Mrs. Hon was born in Washington Count}', 
Indiana, September 14, 1823. They are the 
parents of two children living — Nelson, re- 
siding in Polk Township, on the old home- 
stead and Mary llosella, wife of Albert M. 
Milton, also residing in Polk Township. lu 
1872 Mr. Hon came to Marshall County, Iowa, 
and remained there one winter; in the spring 
of 1873 they came to Shelby County, and 
settled in section 23, Polk Township, on a 
farm of 240 acres of partially improved land; 
here he has made many inprovements in the 
way of erecting necessary buildings. After 
a residence of four years in Shelby County, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hon returned to Owen County, 
Indiana, and remained there four years, when 
they returned to Shelby County; here they 
have since made their home. Mr. Hon is a 
man that always takes an active interest in 
all enterprises tending toward the advance- 
ment aud improvement of the community in 
general. He is a strong Democrat, always 
casting his vote with his party. Mr. Hon 
devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, 
and finds a faithful helper in his most worthy 
wife. They are members of the Church of 
Christ. 

— .~.. g . t ..t. 2 — 



fP. PEllRY is one of tlie early settlers of 
Shelby County, coming here in 1874. 
* He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, 
September 10, 1841; he is a son of Jesse and 
Malinda (Poole) Perry. Jesse Perry is a rela- 
tive of the old Commodore Perry, and a native 
of Ohio; his wife was born in Virginia. J. P. 



Perry was the fifth of eight children, four of 
whom were sons and four daugliters. When he 
was thirteen years of age his father removed 
to Bureau County, Illinois, then a wild, new 
country; his parents lived here until tiieir 
death. He was reared on a farm and edu- 
cated in the public schools. During the late 
war he went to the defense of the flag; ho 
enlisted at the first call for troops, April 24, 
1861, in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, Com- 
pany I; he served over three months and was 
honorably discharged, and returned home. 
At the call for 300,000 more men, he again 
responded, enlisting June 1, 1862, in the 
Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry, Company E; he 
was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, Vir- 
ginia, September 15, 1862; was paroled, and 
went to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, 
and was exchanged January 19, 1863; in 
April, 1863, he was sent to the front, and took 
an active part at Concord, Loudon Bridge, 
the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee ; with 
Sherman on the march to Atlanta; returned 
with General Thomas to Columbia, Ten- 
nessee; Franklin, Tennessee; Nashville, Ten- 
nessee; Fort Fisher, North Carolina; Fort 
Anderson, North Carolina; Cape Fear River, 
Wilmington. He was honorably discharged 
June 8, 1865, and returned to Bureau County, 
Illinois ; he was discharged as Corporal. 
September 5, 1866, he was married to Miss 
Mary Chaddock, a lady of intelligence, born 
in Jefferson County, Ohio; she is a daughter 
of Richard and Eliza (Nickelson) Chaddock; 
the father is a native of Maryland, and the 
mother, of Ohio. Her family-came to Bureau 
County in 1864. Mr. Perry lived in Bureau 
County until 1873, when he came to Mahaska 
County, Iowa; in 1874 he came to Shelby 
County, and settled on wild prairie land; he 
now owns 320 acres of land in a body, and 
has one of the best improved farms in the 
county; he has a good frame house, and 






2> 



BIOGRA PHICAL SKETCH ISH. 



545 



barns for stock and grain; lie farms exten- 
sively, making a specialty of Jersey Red 
swine, of which he lias some specimens as 
iine as can be fonnd in the west. Mr. and 
Mrs. Perry have three children — William 
Grant, Jesse Harmon and Mabel. Mr. Perry 
is a Republican ; he is a member of the Anti- 
horse-thief Association, No. 35, and is secretary 
of the same. He is yet in the prime of life; 
he is social and genial in his disposition, an 
intelligent conversationalist, honest in busi- 
ness, and one of Shelby county's solid men. 

-- g - ^ ' I ' S 



W.M. SARVIS, of Fairview Township, 
section 23, is an ex-soldier of the late 
L® war. He was born in Dade County, 
Missouri, September 7, 1841. He is a son 
of Maldon and Mary (Flesher) Sarvis. He 
was fifteen years old when he came to Potta- 
wattamie County, Iowa. He worked on a 
farm until he enlisted in the army, March 11, 
1862. He joined the Seventeenth Iowa In- 
fantry, Company II. He was first under fire 
at Hamburg Landing. He was in the battles 
of Corinth, Ball's Bluff, Raymond, Missis- 
sippi, Champion Hills, Jackson, Vicksburg, 
Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's 
Roost, Duck Creek Gap, and Tilton, Georgia, 
where he was taken prisoner. He was con- 
fined at Millin, Georgia, for two months, 
then at Cahawba, Alabama, one month, and 
was then taken to Andersonville, where he 
was held three months. When captured he 
weighed 175 pounds; when released 113 was 
as high as he could tip the beam. He was 
first taken to Goldsborongh, North Carolina, 
and then to Washington, D. C. He was also 
in the Red River expedition. He served 
three years, one month and twenty-five days. 
He returned to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 
and was married July 6, 1869, to Miss Susan 

86 



Donnclson. She was born in Scott County, 
Iowa, and is a daughter of Levi and Mary 
(Stafford) Donnelson. The father is a native 
of New York, and the mother of Indiana. 
Mr. Sarvis came to Shelby County in 1871. 
In 1887 he l)ought his present farm, which 
contains eighty-one acres of fine land and 
one of the best springs of water in the 
county; it is situated near the residence. 
There is a good barn, and a fine grove of 
timber. Mr. Sarvis and wife have three chil- 
dren living — Hattie B., Harry and George. 
Mr. Sarvis is a Republican, and a member of 
the G. A. R., U. S. Grant Post, Avoca. He 
is genial in his disposition, honest and up- 
right in business. 



►>»f- 




E. COOPER is one of the active, 
wide-awake citizens of Fairview 
Township. He came to the county 
in 1876. He is a native of Keokuk County, 
Iowa, and was born May 1, 1859. He is a 
son of Hinchman Cooper, a former well- 
known citizen of the township, who is a 
native of Ohio, and who came to Iowa in the 
fall of 1857, locating in Keokuk County. In 
1865 he went to Mahaska County, Iowa, and 
in 1876 to Shelby County. Hinchman Cooper 
married Abigail Johnson, who was also a 
native of Ohio. Her parents were natives 
of the Green Mountain State. H. Cooper 
and wife 'had four children — W. E.; Albert, 
who lives in Dickinson County, Kansas; 
Robert and Nettie, who live at home with 
their parents in Oregon. W. E. Cooper, our 
subject, was in his sixteenth year when he 
came to this county. He was educated at 
New Sharon Academy, Iowa, and engaged in 
teaching when lie was eighteen years old. 
He was very successful, and continued teaclir 
ing for fifteen terms. He began improving 



546 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



his farm in 1881. He has a sahstantial 
house, a good barn, a grove and an orchard. 
Everything shows thrift and industry. Jle 
was married February 15, 1882, to Miss 
Laura Walters, daughter of D. B. Walters, a 
prominent citizen of the county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cooper have two children — Myrtle and 
Leverne. Mr. Cooper is a Republican, and 
one of the wheel-horses of the party. He has 
served as township trustee for six years, as 
assessor for two years, and on the school 
board for five years. He has filled these 
offices with credit to himself and with satis- 
faction to the public. He is also a member 
and president of the Anti-horse-thief Asso- 
ciation of Fairview Township, No. 35. He 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
Castle Hall, No. 65, of Harlan. He is a 
member of the Evangelical Association of 
Harlan circuit. Mr. Cooper, though but a 
young man, has gained the confidence and 
respect of his associates, and has an enviable 
reputation, socially, politically and finan- 
cially, in the county. 



|DWAUD WATTERBURY, of Fair- 
view Township, is one of the well- 
known men in the township. He is a 
native of the State of Iowa, born in Clayton 
County, March 26, 1853. He is a sou of 
Stephen Wattcrbury, and was a babe when 
his parents came to Shelby County. Here 
he grew to manhood. His youth was passed 
at farm work and in attending the common 
schools of the county. Arriving at the age 
of manhood he was married to Miss L. J. 
Norton, of this county, March 8, 1876. By 
this union six children were born, five sons 
and one daughter — Oliver, Lillie May, Jesse, 
Freddie, Pearl and Oscar. Mr. Wattcrbury 
is a Republican and a member of the Masonic 



order, Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 297, of Avoca. 
He is also a member of the Anti-horse-thief 
Association, No. 17, of Fairview Township. 
He is a man yet in the prime of life, is social 
and genial in his disposition, honest in busi- 
ness. He has the confidence and respect of 
all who know him. 



" g-:"t - g " 



fENS OLSON, a farmer of Fairview 
Township, is one of the early settlers, 
having come to the county in the fall of 
1868. He was born in Sweden, December 
11, 1837, and is the son of Ole and Anna 
Olson. He lived in his native land until he 
was eighteen years old, when he and his 
brother Peter went to Denmark, and worked 
on a farm. He attended school in his native 
country iintil he was fourteen years old. He 
was married November 10, 1860, to Miss 
Sophia Poulson, born in Denmark, September 
7, 1839, and a daughter of Andrew and Car- 
rie (Havson) Poulson. Jens Olson had been 
married a year when he sailed for America, 
via Liverpool, England. He embarked on a 
large sailing vessel, and landed in New York. 
He came by rail to Jasper County, Iowa, 
where he lived for eighteen months, working 
on the railroad. He and his brother Peter 
came to Shelby County with a yoke of oxen 
and a wagon. They camped on the way, 
sleeping in the wagon at night. They ar- 
rived in Shelby County in the fall, and 
worked on the railroad until spring, when 
Jens Olson moved on the farm. He was 
among the earliest settlers of the township, 
having a wide stretch of prairie about him. 
Here he has since lived. He has a good farm 
of 167 acres, 100 of which are under cultiva- 
tion. There is a comfortable house, a good 
barn, and yards for stock. He has planted 
shade trees, and everything shows the thrift 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETQUES. 



547 



and energy of tlie owner. Mr. and Mrs. 
Olson liave seven children — Carrie, Olivia, 
Mary, Anna, Peter, Nels and Christ. The 
last named is the oldest; he and the father 
are both Republicans. Mr. Olson and his 
wife are both members of the Lutheran 
church. He is honorable and just in his 
dealings, and has won the respect of all who 
know him. 

— ■ ■.■ ^: . T . g ...- — 



|ETER JENSON is among the prominent 
■ citizens of Fairview Township. He was 
~3f: born in Denmark, April 2, 1830, and is 
a son of Jens and Mary (Jenson) Peterson. 
He attended school until he was fourteen 
years old, and worked on the farm. He was 
married in 1859 to Miss Ann Nelson, a 
daughter of Nels Karlson. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenson remained in their native land until 
1862, when they sailed for America, going 
via Liverpool, and landing at Castle Garden, 
New York. They went to Brown County, 
Wisconsin, and resided there for five years; 
they then came to Shelby County, Iowa. 
Mr. Jenson bought 105 acres of land, eighty 
being bottom land, and twenty-five being in 
timber. Here he has since lived and im- 
j)roved his land, and added to the original 
purchase, until he now owns 223 acres of rich 
land. He has a good house, built in modern 
style and well furnished, a good barn and 
cril)S, a grove and an orchard. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenson have two adopted children — a nephew 
and niece of Mr. Jenson's. Their father, 
Paul Jenson, died in 1869. These children 
are named James and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenson are both active and zealous members 
of the Baptist cliurch, and liberal supporters 
of the same. Mr. Jenson is a deacon in the 
churcli; the church is Danish. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenson are cordial and hospitable, honest and 



upright in their dealings, and among the best 
people of Fairview Township. 



(ICHOLAS VOGT is one of the early 
settlers of Fairview Township, having 
come to the county in 1877. He was 
born in Germany, August 23, 1822, and is a 
son of Peter and Clara (Miller) Vogt. He 
remained in his native land until he was 
twentj'-six years old. He went to school until 
he was fourteen years old ; then worked on a 
farm, and served three years in the army. In 
1848 he came to America. He lived for 
awhile in Ohio; then in Kentucky, where he 
worked at the blacksmith's trade. Mr. Vogt 
was married in Hocking County, Ohio, in 
1849, to Miss Catharine Miller, who was born 
in Germany in 1825, and is a daughter of 
Christ and Christena Miller. From Ken- 
tucky our subject came to Muscatine County, 
Iowa, and then to Johnson County, where he 
lived until 1877, when he came to his jiresent 
farm. It was then wild, unimproved land. 
Assisted by his sons he has made one of the 
best farms in Shelby County. He has a 
good house, a barn, a vineyard and a grove. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vogt are the parents of five 
children — -Jacob, Robert, Charles, George, 
and Katie, wife of D. P. Bonnett, of Harlan. 
Mr. Vogt is a Democrat. He and all his 
family are members of the lioman Catholic 
churcli. He is social in his disposition, and 
genial and friendly to all. Charles Vogt, 
dealer in general merchandise, Corley, is a 
son of Nicholas and Catiiarine Vogt. lie 
was born in Muscatine County, Iowa, March 
14, 1860. He was seventeen years of age 
when he came to Shelby County. He was 
reared on a farm, and received his education 
in the public schools of Iowa. He assisted 
his father in the improvement of the farm, 



548 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



and for several years operated a threshing 
machine. Charles Vogt was married in No- 
vember, 1883, to Rikla Thornton, of Gage 
County, Nebraska. They are the parents of 
one child — Mary. Mr. Vogt carries a good 
stock of dry goods and general merchandise, 
and sells his goods at reasonable prices. He 
has an extended acquaintance, and his up- 
right and honorable dealings have won him 
a large and profitable patronage. He casts 
bis vote with the Democratic party. 



■thJ- 



?E. LAWSON is an enterprising and suc- 
cessful farmer, Avho came to Lincoln 
** Township in 1872. He was born in 
Niagara County, New York, August 14, 1850, 
and is a son of John Lawson, a well known 
and highly esteemed citizen of Shelby County. 
He was but a child when his parents moved 
to McHenry County, Illinois, and but six 
years old when they moved to Clayton County, 
Iowa. Here our subject grew to manhood, 
receiving his education in the common schools. 
He remained at home until he was twenty- 
one, when he M'ent to Wisconsin and worked 
by the month for some time. In 1872 he 
catne to Shelby County where he bought 
eighty acres of land at $8 per acre. For 
seven seasons he broke prairie, at first send- 
ing his plow-shares to Avoca to be sharp- 
ened; in this way he made money to pay 
for his land. He now owns 160 acres of as 
good land as Shelby County affords. He has 
a comfortable house, a good barn, and all the 
equipments of a prosperous farmer. Mr. 
Lawson was married June 22, 1880, to Miss 
Zella Foster, of Clayton County, Iowa. By 
this union two children were born — Minnie 
J., born September 27, 1881, and Ernest, 
born June 14, 1884. Mr. Lawson was greatly 
bereaved in the death of his beloved wife, 



which occurred December 5, 1886. She was 
a woman of many virtues, a faithful wife, a 
loving mother and a kind neighbor. Mr. 
Lawson is a genial man, honorable in his 
business transactions, and although young has 
gained an enviable position in the county. 

-" ^I ' T - g 



fAPHETII BROWN of Fairview, Town- 
ship, is one of the w'ell-known citizens, 
having come to the county in 1870. He 
was born in Stafford Township, Monmouth 
County, New Jersey, February 12, 1822; he 
is a son of Abraham Brown, who was born 
in the same county, and whose father, Samuel 
Brown, served in the war of the Revolution. 
Japheth Brown's mother was Charity Soper, 
a native of New Jersey. He lived in his 
native State until he was eighteen years old, 
when the family moved to Brown County, 
Ohio, where they lived until 1848. They 
moved to Livingston County, Illinois, by 
team and wagon. Mr. Brown was married in 
Clermont County, Ohio, August 8, 1844, to 
Miss Eliza Gates, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of Thomas and Mary Gates. Abra- 
ham Brown died in Livingston County, Illi- 
nois, December 17, 1851, and his wife died 
in Shelby County, in December, 1874, at the 
residence of lier son Japheth. Our subject 
lived in Livingston County, Illinois, until 
1870, when lie came to his present farm, 
where he has since lived; the land was wild 
and unimproved. He now has a comfortable 
house, surrounded with shade trees, a good 
barn, stock-yard and stock-scales. All the 
surroundings indicate the energy and thrift 
of the owner. The farm, in all, contains 240 
acres of rich soil. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are 
the parents of three children — Susan, wife of 
Lewis Watterbury; Nancy Gibson, of Avoca, 
and Clarence, engaged in business in Avoca. 



BIOGRAPUIGAL SKETCHES. 



551 



Politically Mr. Brown stands with the Demo- 
cratic party. He is plain in manner, genial 
in disposition, honorable in business, and has 
many friends, of whom he is wellworthy. 

-...?. ; ..;. % ... 



W. ALLEN, a successful citizen of 
Lincoln Township, was born January 
® 14, 1841, in Saratoga County, New 
York. He is the son of J. W. and Eleanor 
(Van Waggen) Allen, both natives of New 
York, who were the parents of seven children. 
D. W. was the sixth child, and was reared on 
a farm, receiving his education in the com- 
mon schools. At the age of twenty years ho 
went to New York City, where he became 
interested, first in the street railway, and 
afterward in the ice business. In 1870 he 
went to Rock Island, Illinois, and engaged in 
railroad work, lirst as fireman, then in tlie 
railroad shops, then as fireman again, and 
finally as engineer. Mr. Allen was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Bothwell, September 
15, 1871 ; she was born at Olin, Jones County, 
Iowa, and is a daughter of John and Caroline 
(Seeley) Bothwell. Her father was born at 
Dumfries, Scotland, and was brought to 
America when eighteen months old. He was 
reared in Pennsylvania, and served in the 
Mexican war. The mother of Mrs. Allen 
was a native of Cattaraugus County, New 
York. D. W. Allen came to Shelby County 
in 1873, and settled on wild land, tliirty-tliree 
acres of which had been broken ; here he has 
since resided and made many improvements; 
he now owns 230 acres, all of which is in a 
fine state of cultivation; he has a good house, 
buildings for cattle, a grove, orchard and a 
windmill. Mr. Allen and wife have six chil- 
dren — Cora May, Silas (i., Sarah A., George 
H., Daisy C. and Mary E. Mr. Allen gives 
his sufi'rage to the Uepublican party; he has 



served as township trustee, and on the school 
board. He is a member of the Masonic or- 
der, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Lebanon Chap- 
ter No. 8, and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 
49. Mr. Allen is yet in the prime of life, 
and by upright dealing has won for himself 
an enviable position in the county. 



ALENTINEPLUMB.ahighly es- 
teemed citizen of Lincoln Township, is 
a native of Lincolnshire, England, born 
December 5, 1843. He is the son of William 
and Sarah ((rray) Plumb, who reared six chil- 
dren, of whom Valentine is the second born. 
He was reared on a farm, and received his 
education in the common schools. He was 
united in marriage December 15, 1867, to 
Miss Charlotte Llewellyn, a native of Wales, 
born April 24, 1837; she is a daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Evans) Llewellyn. 
Valentine Plumb resided in England until 
April 11, 1870, when he sailed for America 
on board the ship Nebraska. He arrived in 
New York, April 26, 1870, and came from 
that point to Council Bluff's, Iowa; he went 
to Mills County, where he had relatives, and 
worked by the month for two years; he then 
rented land in Mills County until 1875, when 
he bought land, and in the spring of 1876 he 
settled on his present farm; this he has im- 
proved from year to year, until he now has 
as fine a farm as Sheli)y County affords. He 
has a good frame dwelling, surrounded with 
shade trees, a fine grove and ( rchard, a barn 
and windmill, and all improvements, showing 
the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Mr. 
and Mrs. Plumb have one daughter — Mary 
II., born September 26, 1872. They are both 
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Plumb is a Uepublican, and is 
now servinij his second term as trustee for the 



553 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



township. Mr. PlumL is an example of what 
a man can do, coining to Iowa without 
money. By industry and good management 
he has acquired a good property. He has 
always taken an active interest in religion 
and education, and is a liberal supporter of 
all movements tending to advance either. 

■ " ■^S ' T - I- '- 



I AMUEL G. POOL was born in Dela- 
ware County, Ohio, Slay 29, 1841. He 
is a son of Peter and Frances (Wilson) 
Pool. He was but eighteen months old when 
his parents removed to Washington County, 
Pennsylvania, where they resided for a time; 
they then went to Allegheny County, Penn- 
sylvania, where Samuel G. grew to manhood. 
He was reared on a farm, and educated in the 
public schools. His father died when he was 
but a lad. At the age of seventeen years he 
came to Iowa, settling in Davenport, where 
he worked eighteen months at the carpenter's 
trade. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
where!he remained eighteen months, engaged 
in working at his trade. He next spent 
eight months at Alton, Illinois, and th«n went 
to New Orleans, where he spent one month, 
just before the war. Here he heard prominent 
rebels make speeches, encouraging their 
hearers to fight for the Confederacy, to go to 
Washington, take the city, and kill Lincoln. 
He returned to the north, being one of the 
last permitted to leave New Orleans for the 
north. He went to Salem, Ohio, where his 
mother resided, and August 13, 1861, he en- 
listed at the call for 300,000 men, in the 
Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company 
C. He was first under fire at Snell Mount- 
ain, Virginia; Gaily Bridge, Virginia; the 
two battles of Bull Run, Antietam, South 
Mountain, Nashville, Hooper's Gap, Chicka- 
mauga. Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, 



Dalton, and Resaca, Georgia. Mr. Pool was on 
active duty all the time with the exception of 
a very short time when he was in the hospi- 
tal. He was honorably discharged in 1864, 
at Chattanooga. In 1865 he returned to the 
United States Veteran Corps, known as 
General Hancock's Corps. He was again 
honorably discharged in March, 1865. He 
returned to Ohio and worked at the carpenter's 
trade for four years. Mr. Pool was married 
July 13, 1860, to Miss Mary C. Brown, a 
native of West Virginia, and a daughter of 
Shelton and Juliann (Tucker) Brown. Mrs. 
Pool's parents moved to Missouri when she 
was twelve years old, and both died while she 
was yet a child. In 1870 Mr. Pool came to 
Shelby County, Iowa, and settled on his pres- 
ent farm of 160 acres; he has a comfortable 
house, and a grove and orchard. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pool are the parents of seven children — 
Joseph R., William L., Nevada May, Rolla 
Adolphus, Ralph Edmond, Nellie lona, and 
Ivy Pearl. They lost one child by death. 
Mount Treveda, who died at the age of nine 
months. Mr. Pool is a member of the Re- 
publican party, and a strong supporter of its 
principles. 



[LAUS ALBERS, dealer in general mer- 
chandise, came to Corley in April, 1882, 
buying the stock of goods owned by 
Thomas McDonald. He is a native of Ger- 
many, born in June, 1855. He was ten years 
of age when his parents came to America, 
and settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he 
grew to manhood; he received his education 
in his native land, and in Davenport. At 
the age of fifteen years he went to work at 
the cigar trade, and followed it for several 
years at Davenport. In 1875 he went to 
Avoca, Iowa, and engaged in the manufacture 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



553 



of cigars, and also in the saloon business for 
a time. Mr. Albers had resided in Corley 
four years when he bought the store building 
which he now occupies, and which is the best 
in Corley; he has a good cellar, and every- 
thing well arranged for the large stock of 
goods which he carries; he does an annual 
business of S15,000. Mr. Albers keeps one 
good clerk to assist him ; his fair and honor- 
abledealing has secured him alarge and profit- 
able trade. lie was appointed postmaster in 
January, 1884. lie was married in Septem- 
ber, 1880, to Miss Anna Snyder; one child 
is the result of their union — Mata. Our 
subject is a Democrat, and a member of the 
I. 6. O. F., Delta Lodge, No. 377, Avoca. 
He is numbered among the representative 
business men of Shelby County. 



C. "WILCOX, residing in Lincoln Town- 
ship, Shelby Count}', is a native of New 
** York, born in Oneida County, April 
2, 1833. He is a son of Chester and Aurelia 
(Dunbar) Wilcox, both natives of Connecti- 
cut. The Dunbar family were early settlers 
in Oneida County, New York. A. C. Wilcox 
was reared on a farm and received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. In 1855 he took 
Horace Greeley's advice and came west, set- 
tling in Winona County, Minnesota, where 
he remained only a few months. He then 
went to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and 
spent the winter. In 1856 he came to Tama 
County, Iowa, and lived there two years. In 
the autumn of 1858 he went back to New 
York and spent the winter in Cattaraugus 
County, and in 1859 he went to Oneida 
County. In the spring of 1862 he went 
to Atkinson, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade. 
In the fall of 1863 he went to Green Hay, 



Wisconsin, and worked at his trade. In 

1864 he went to Dane County, Wisconsin, 
and engaged in farming. In the spring of 

1865 he came to Iowa and settled in Mar- 
shall County, where he engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits in connection with his 
trade. In 1873 he came to Avoca, where he 
worked at his trade, and in 1874 he bought 
the land on which he now lives. He was 
one of the first settlers in the township. 
Here he has since lived and improved his 
farm from year to year, until he has one of 
the best farms in the county. He has a 
comfortable house, buildings for stock and 
grain, a windmill, and one of the best maple 
groves in the township. His farm contains 
160 acres. Mr. Wilcox was married in Mar- 
shall County, Iowa, March 5, 1868, to Miss 
Clarinda Richart, a native of Stephenson 
County, Illinois, and a daughter of Aaron 
and Eliza (Williams) Richart. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilcox are the parents of eleven children, 
eight of whom survive — Herbert J., Chester 
A. and Lester A. (twins), Joe C, Roy S., 
Fred L., Lewis A. and Delia M. Aurelia E., 
Rosa and Amy died before maturity. Mr. 
Wilcox is a Republican, and has served as 
] ustice of the peace for five years, with credit 
to himself. He has also served on the school 
board. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. 
Wilcox is a steward of the same. Mr. Wil- 
cox is a man who has traveled extensively in 
his younger days, and is well informed on 
general topics. 



ABRIEL BROWN is a well-known resJ- 
'\\MV 'lent of Lincoln Township. He was born 
in Monmouth County, New Jersey, June 
22, 1817. He is a son of Abraham Brown, 
a native of New Jersey, of an old family in 



554 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



that State. His father served three inontlis 
in the war of 1812. His mother was Charity 
Soper, and her family were old settlers in 
New Jersey. Gabriel Brown was reared a 
farmer and received his education in the 
common schools. At the age of fifteen he 
went to sea, first as a cabin boy and cook, 
and afterward as an able seaman before the 
mast. At the age of twenty-two he removed 
to Clermont County, Ohio, where he lived 
for eight years. lie was married June 16, 
1841, to Miss Eliza Iladley, a native of New 
York, born August 4, 1817, in Tompkins 
County. She is a daughter of Ebenezer and 
Elizabeth (Potile) Iladley, natives of New 
York. Mr. Brown lived in Clermont County, 
Ohio, until 1845, when lie went to Kane 
County, Illinois, where he remained two 
years. In 1847 he went to Livingston County, 
Illinois, where he was one of the first settlers. 
Here he made his home until 1874, when he 
came to Shelby County and bought the land 
on which he now lives. He has a farm of 
320 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Brown 
and wife have four children — William Albert, 
James A., John M. and Eliza. In politics 
Mr. Brown is independent. His son Albert 
served in the late civil war, in the Seventeenth 
Illinois Cavalry, for three years. Mi*. Brown 
is now past his three-score and ten years, but 
is still hale and hearty. He especially enjoys 
Iiunting and fishing, and passes many happy 
days in these sports. He is cordial in his 
disposition, plain of speech and manner, and 
firm in his convictions of right and wrong. 



when liis mother died. AVhen he was four- 
teen years of age he came to Jones County, 
Iowa, with an older brother; here he grew to 
manhood, passing his youth in farm work and 
in attending the common school. Mr. Muck 
was married December 23, 1869, to Miss Su- 
san Kohle, a native of Berks County, Penn- 
sylvania, and a daughter of William Kohle. 
Mr. Muck resided in Jones County until 1876, 
when he came to Shelby County. lie bought 
eighty acres of wild land, entirely improved; 
here he has since lived, and made improve- 
ments from year to year, until he has one of 
the best farms in the neighborhood. He has 
a dwelling built on the cottage plan, comfort- 
able and convenient, a barn, cribs for corn, 
and a fine grove of three acres. All the sur- 
roundings indicate thrift and \Yise manage- 
ment. Mr. and Mrs. Muck have no children. 
Politically he afliliates with the Democratic 
party. He is a man yet in the prime of life, 
of unusual physical force, and of a genial dis- 
position that attracts friends and keeps them. 



|OBERT W. MUCK is an early settler of 
Shelby County; he was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of 
Henry and Maria (Harrison) Muck, natives 
of Virginia. He was l)ut eight years old 



'■' ■ ■(], ' 3"I • 1^" •" 

IIOMAS A. LONG is one of the best- 
known early settlers in Lincoln Town- 
ship, having come to Shelby County in 
18G6. He was born in Hendricks County, 
Indiana, June 7, 1846. He is a son of Ju- 
gurtha Long, a native of Indiana. His mother 
was a Miss Hendricks, whose family were 
early settlers of Hendricks County. She died 
when our subject was a baby. In 1847 the 
father came to Iowa, and the ne.xt year he 
died. Thomas was then taken back to Indi- 
ana by his paternal grandsire, and was reared 
on a farm in Montgomery County. He re- 
ceived his education in the public schools. 
Mr. Long served his country in the late civil 
war, enlisting in October, 1863, in the Fortieth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company H, and 




^:^:3^.^^^^z..^A /^^^Y2^^^: 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



557 



serving until the close of the war. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Nashville, Peach- 
Tree Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, Iluzzard's 
Roost, New Hope Church, in all the battles 
in and around Atlanta, Franklin, and Dalton, 
Georgia, besides one or two others. He re- 
ceived a slight wound in the head at Kennesaw 
Mountain, but was in the hospital only a few 
days. He was one of the old soldiers that 
made a figliting record. After liis discharge 
lie returned to Indiana and remained there a 
short time. He tlien came to Shelby County, 
where he owned some land. Mr. Long was 
married July 4, 1868, to Miss Samantha Me- 
Keig, a daughter of Wesley McKeig, of Fair- 
view Township, who is a prominent pioneer, 
specially mentioned on another page in this 
volume. After his marriage Mr. Long set- 
tled on section 24, Lincoln Township, where 
he had built a log cabin that has stood the 
storms, and to-day is a land-mark of early 
days. In 1877 he came on his present farm, 
which was then wild prairie land. Here he 
has since lived, making all modern improve- 
ments and placing tlie farm in a high state of 
cultivation. He owns 240 acres of land in a 
body, two and a half miles from Harlan. 
Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of six 
children — Jugurtha, John W., Anna L., 
Charles, James Garfield and Maud. Harry 
died in infancy. Mr. Long is a strong Re- 
publican, dyed in the wool. He has served 
as township trustee and on the school board. 
He is one of Shelby County's solid citizens. 



i,LEXANDER McCORD, a native of 
New York, born January 11, 1810, was 
left an orphan at a very early age, and 
was placed in an orphan asylum, where he 
remained until he was fourteen years old. 
He received his education in this institution, 



and when he reached the age of fourteen was 
apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, 
which lie followed for a number of years 
prior to his coming west. He went to Can- 
ada, and afterward removed to Randolph 
County, Missouri, where he remained one 
year, engaged in farming. He tlien spent 
one summer in Illinois, working on the first 
railroad entering Quincy, for which he re- 
ceived nothing. In the spring of 1846 he 
removed to the place wliere Council Elufls 
now stands, then known as Traders' Point, 
wiiich contained but three houses. He lived 
in a tent for almost one year. When lie had 
been there about a month Mr. McCord en- 
tered the Mexican war, Company A, under 
Captain Hunt. Allen was First Lieutenant, 
and died shortly after, when Cook took com- 
mand. The company was known as the Mor- 
mon Battalion. A part of this same company 
were the first to strike gold in California 
while digging a well race. Mr. McCord 
served two years, returning in the winter of 
1848. He sutfered death many times from 
hunger and thirst while in the service, and 
many other hardships incident to war in 
those days. After liis return to Iowa lie 
purchased some claims near Council Bluffs 
and engaged in farming. Here he remained 
until about 1849 or 1850, and then came to 
Shelby County, locating at Gallaiid's Grove, 
Grove Township. He purchased 160 acres 
of wild land, which he improved and placed 
under good cultivation, remaining on it until 
1882. In the meantime he had purchased 
240 acres in Douglas Township, and added 
to it until he owns in one body 560 acres. 
It was all unimproved land, and by the 
united ettbrts of the family it has been placed 
under its present advanced state of cultiva- 
tion. It is one of the finest farms in the 
county. The first residence erected is now 
used as a granary. In 1881 the presen- 



558 



HISTORY OF SUE LB Y COUNTY. 



beautiful residence was built, being one of the 
finest in the county. The family also own 
500 acres of improved land in Grove Town- 
ship, 120 acres being timber land. The land 
in Douglas Township reverted by will to 
Bradley, the third son, who now occupies the 
same. Mr. McCord was always a true and 
public-spirited man, aiding in anything for 
the welfare of the county. He was generous, 
kind and good. He always followed agricult- 
ural pursuits. He was married November 
25, 1834, to Sybel Bradenburgh, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Williams) Braden- 
burgh. She was born in the State of New 
York, February 27, 1817. They are the par- 
ents of seven children — Elizabeth, wife of 
Milton Lynch, of Grove Township; Eunice 
(deceased); William, of Union Township; 
Hiram (deceased); Luther, residing in Grove 
Township; Bradley, residing in Douglas 
Township; and Ichabod, residing in Union 
Township. Mr. McCord was treasurer of 
Grove Township for a number of years. He 
died July 15, 1887. Bradley, the sixth child, 
was born in Grove Township December 27, 
1852. He was reared in his native place, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. He owns 560 acres of as tine land 
as Shelby County affords, lying in sections 7, 
8, 17 and 18, of Douglas Township. He set- 
tled on this farm in 1874, and has since made 
it his home, devoting himself to farming and 
stock-raising. He deals quite extensively, 
always shipping his own stock. He is an 
active worker in the Kepublican party. He 
was married November 27, 1873, to Mary E., 
daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth (Hawkins) 
Scott. She was born in Columbia County, 
Indiana, September 7, 1849. They are the 
parents of seven children — Pearlie, at home; 
Almud (deceased); Clara, Arthur, Bradley, 
Daisy and Gracie, all at home. The family 
are active members of the Latter- Day Saints 



church. Alexander McCord was a minister 
in the church of the Latter-Day Saints, sent 
on two different times to preach to the citi- 
zens of Salt Lake City against polygamy. 
He held the office of elder, and was of the 
seventies, being ordained as such. 



W. SALTER is one of the enterprising 
citizens of Lincoln Township. He was 
born in Greene County, New York, Jan- 
uary 14, 1837, and is a son of Benjamin and 
Mary (Green) Salter. He was reared on a 
farm in his native State, and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools. At the age of 
twenty he started out in the world on his own 
responsibility, and came to Illinois in 1857; 
he settled on a farm in Marshall County, and 
spent his tirst season in breaking prairie. 
During the late civil war he went to the de- 
fense of his country, enlisting in the Eighty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company 
H, in August, 1862. He served until Janu- 
ary, 1864, taking an active part in the battles 
of Perry ville, Crab Orchard, Murfreesborough 
and Nashville. He was ill at Old Asylum 
Hospital for a time, and was honorably dis- 
charged February 2, 1864. He returned to 
Bureau County, Illinois. Mr. Salter was mar- 
ried August 23, 1862, to Miss Anna M. Boyd, 
a native of Canada, and a daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Jamison) Boyd, also natives 
of Canada. Mr. Salter remained in Bureau 
County, Illinois, until 1866, when he returned 
to La Salle County, Illinois, where he resided 
two years; he then removed to Livingston 
County, Illinois, where he remained until 
1873, when he came to Shelby County. He 
now owns 200 acres of as fine land as can be 
found in the county, all under fine cultivation 
and well improved. He is engaged in general 
farming and stock raising, feeding high grade 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



550 




cattle and liogs. Mr. and Mrs. Salter are the 
parents of nine children — J. Frank, Mary 
Lizzie, wife of John Mann; Ida May, wife of 
Charles Middleton; Cora B., Adelaide, Charles 
W., Lillie Belle, Morris S. and Ladnsky. Po- 
litically Mr. Salter affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party; he has served on the school board, 
and was elected justice of the peace in 1888. 
He is a member of the G. A. R., Harlan 
Post, and of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge. 
He is a member of the Latter-Day Saints. 
He has always taken an active interest in re- 
ligious and educational affairs, and all worthy 
enterprises have found in Mr. Salter a hearty 
support. 

— g - : " ! •:;"•- — 

F. MILLER, a citizen of Lincoln 
Township, is a native of the Buck- 
eye State, Ohio. He was born in 
Shelby County, Ohio, January 8, 1854, and 
is a son of Alfred and Anna (Stone) Miller. 
When he was two years of age his parents 
removed to Iowa, and settled in Jackson 
County. The mother died in March, 1884, 
and the father still lives in Jackson County. 
W. F. Miller was reared to farm life, and was 
educated in the Jackson County schools. For 
two or three years he was employed in oper- 
ating a well drill. He resided in Jackson 
County until 1877, when he came to Shelby 
County and bought his present farm, which 
was then wild prairie land; he was one of the 
early settlers in the western part of the county. 
He has made many improvements on his farm, 
and put it under a fair state of cultivation; 
he is engaged in general farming, and stock- 
raising and feeding. Mr. Miller was united 
in marriage March 5, 1878, to Miss Mary 
Mann, a native of Canada, reared in Jackson 
County, and a daughter of John and Mary 
(Kennedy) Mann. By this union two chil- 



dren were born — Bert and Daisy Belle. Mrs. 
Mary Miller died November 2, 1882. Mr. 
Miller married his present wife March 20, 
1884; she was Miss Lou Mann, a sister of his 
first wife. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Roy, Frances and Edith. Mr. Miller is 
a Democrat. He is yet in the prime of life, 
and has every prospect of a prosperous future. 



ANIEL MUSSELMAN, a representa- 
tive citizen of Lincoln Township, came 
to Shelby County in 1878. He Hret 
lived in Monroe Township, near Walnut, and 
in 1870 came on his present farm. He is a 
native of Bucks County, born December 25, 
1833. He is a son of Jacob and Mary 
Musselman, natives of Pennsylvania. Three 
brothers named Musselman came from Ger- 
many to America about 150 years ago, and 
bought 1,500 acres of land, much of which 
is still in possession of the Musselman fam- 
ily. Daniel Musselman was reared in Bucks 
County, Pennsylvania, on a farm, and received 
his education in the public schools. At the 
age of nineteen years he was married to Miss 
Sarah Roth, a native of Bucks County, Penn- 
sylvania. By this union three children were 
born — Jacob, Henry and Mary. His wife died 
in 1865, and in 1866 he came to Ogle County, 
Illinois. He was married to his present wife 
in January, 1869, to Miss Sarah Wallace, a 
native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
George and Mary (llodearmel) Wallace. Mrs. 
Musselman's parents came to Illinois when 
she was fifteen years old, and settled in Ogle 
County. After his marriage Mr. Musselman 
resided in Ogle County until 1872 when he 
came to Cass County, Iowa, and settled be- 
tween Lewis and Atlantic. Here he lived on 
a farm until 1878, and then came to Shelby 
County. He bought land of Rev. E. D. Werts, 



560 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



which he has greatly improved. He has a 
comfortable residence, buildings for stock and 
grain, a windmill, which furnislies water to 
the dwelling and stock -yards, and many other 
comforts and conveniencies. The farm con- 
tains 160 acres, located three miles northwest 
from Harlan. He devotes his time to farm- 
ing and stock-raising. By his last marriage 
seven children were born — Laura Jane, Ro- 
setta Mary, Gilbert Grant, Clarissa Charlotte, 
Ada Ora, Sarah Elizabeth and Arthur Daniel. 
Mr. and Mrs. Musselman are members of the 
Evangelical church. 

"■'■ ^3 - 'C - ^ '" 



fOHN BARE has been identified with 
the interests of Shelby County since the 
spring of 1880. He was born in Somer- 
set County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of 
Christian Bare, a native of Switzerland, who 
came to America at the age of twenty-one 
years and settled in Pennsylvania; here he 
married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, whose parents were also Pennsyl- 
vanians. Christian and Elizabeth Bare were 
the parents of eight children. John was the 
second child, and was reared and educated in 
his native State. At the age of twenty-two 
years he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, 
where lie worked on a farm for eighteen 
months. He then went to La Grange County, 
Indiana, where he remained six months; 
thence he went to Linn County, Iowa, where 
he lived for seven years. During the late 
civil war he went to the defense of his coun- 
try's flag. He enlisted August 7, 1862, in 
the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
Company F, and served until the close of the 
war. He was in the battles of Champion 
Hills, Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Fisher's Hill, 
Cedar Creek, Winchester, and the Red River 
campaign under General Banks. He re- 



ceived a gun-shot wound at Champion Hills, 
and was honorably discharged at Savannah, 
Georgia, in 1865. He returned to Penns^'l- 
vania, and in the spring of 1866 he removed 
to Woodford County, Illinois. Here he was 
married to Miss Rachel Blough October 28, 
1866; she is a native of Somerset County, 
Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jonas and 
Elizabeth (Bowman) Blough, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. Bare resided in Woodford 
County, Illinois, until 1880, when he came to 
Lincoln Township, Shelby County, Iowa, and 
bought his farm of Edgar Conistock; there 
was a small frame house which has since been 
torn down, and replaced by a frame house built 
in modern style; this is surrounded by shade 
trees, and has a pleasant situation. There 
are also good buildings for stock and grain, 
and all the surroundings show the thrift and 
industry of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Bare 
have three ciiildren — Elizabeth, Ida and John 
W., who were born in Woodford County, 
Illinois. Mr. Bare is a member of the Re- 
publican party, and of the G. A. R., Harlan 
Post, No. 197. He carries his age well, and 
is a man respected by all who know him. 



H. ERICKSON is a successful farmer 
of Lincoln Township, who has been 
* identified with the interests of Shelby 
County since 1873. He was born in Norway, 
December 26, 1854, and is a son of Henry 
and Olivia (Anderson) Erickson. The family, 
consisting of the parents and six children, 
emigrated to America and settled in Mahaska 
County, Iowa; one of the sons had come to 
this country before the family came. Our 
subject lived in Mahaska County, near New 
Sharon, until 1873, when he came to Shelby 
County and bought forty acres of land in 
J.iincoln Township, which he began to im- 



^.' 



BfOORAPIIWAL SKETCHED. 



561 



prove. The following spring his parents 
moved on the place, and have since resided 
here; the land has been improved from year 
to year, and additions have been made until 
the farm now contains 140 acres of as good 
soil as Shelby County affords. The residence 
is a good story and a half frame building, 
surrounded with shade trees, and there are 
barns and cribs, with all the conveniences for 
carrying on agricultural industries. Mr. 
Erickson was married November 9, 1880, to 
Miss Matilda Olson, a native of Norway, who 
emigrated to America in 1884. They are the 
parents of two children — Oscar Herbert and 
an infant son. Mr. Erickson afKliates with 
the Republican party, and has served two 
years as township clerk, with credit to himself 
and the best interests of the public. He was 
the choice of his party for township clerk in 
the fall of 1888, but was defeated by one vote. 
He is a member of the Lutheran church, as 
were his parents before him. He is a young 
man yet in the prime of life; is honorable in 
business, and one of Lincoln Township's 
leading citizens. 



fOSEPH GARDNER is one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln Township. He is a 
native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, 
horn July 10, 1838, and is a son of Peter and 
Barbara (Miller) Gardner, who were born and 
reared and died in Somerset County, Pennsyl- 
vania. John Gardner, the father of Peter 
Gardner, fought in the war of 1812, and 
entered land near Cincinnati, Ohio. Peter 
Gardner and wife had four' children — John, 
Joseph, Mary and Elizabeth. Joseph Gard- 
ner, the subject of this sketch, lived in his 
native county until he was seventeen years 
old; he was reared on a farm, and attended 
school in a log school-house with slab seats. 



At the age of fifteen years he went to learn 
the cigar-maker's trade, and in two years 
came west for his health. He settled in Linn 
County, Iowa, at Mount Vernon, where he 
remained eight years. At the end of that 
time he went to Jones County, Iowa. Mr. 
Gardner was married December 22, 18G9, to 
Miss Sarah Jane Short, a native of Somerset 
County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
Peter and Rebecca (Lohr) Short. They re- 
sided in Jones County until the spring of 
1874, when they came to Shelby County. 
Mr. Gardner first bought 120 acres of land of 
Al Bacon, who had made some improve- 
ments; he also bought eighty acres of the 
railroad company, and he has added to this 
first purchase until he now owns 200 acres in 
a body. The farm is well improved; there is a 
good house, a grove, an orchard, a barn, build- 
ings for stock, and cribs for grain. The school- 
house of district number four is on a corner 
of Mr. Gardner's farm. He devotes himself 
to general agricultural pursuits. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gardner are the parents of eight children 
— Elizabeth Emerine Stittle, Peter Henry, 
Mary Millie Lary, Susan Ellen Roland, Ida 
Adelaide, William Franklin, Ilattie May, and 
Judd Hiatt. Mr. Gardner is a member of 
the Republican party. He is also a member 
of the Evangelical church, and has been for 
thirty years. His wife was reared in the 
Lutheran faith. He gives a liberal support 
to all educational and religious enterprises in 
the county,and has the confidence and respect 
of all who know him. 



W. MULDOON,a native of Allen 
County, Indiana, was born in the city 
* of Fort Wayne, March 7, 1856. He 
is a son of Bryan and Anna (Killan) Mul- 
doon, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to 



563 



HISTORY OF SUE LB Y COUNTY. 



America about the year 1838. He is one of 
a family of four children, and his early life 
was spent in Fort Wayne and on a farm. 
When he was fourteen years of age he was 
apprenticed for three years to a harness- 
maker, S. H. Shafe, in Fort Wayne. Having 
served his apprenticeship he went to Walker- 
ton, Indiana, where he followed his trade over 
a year. He then purchased a farm in La 
Porte County, Indiana, and lived on it oue 
year, at the end of that time trading it for 
property in Walkerton; he also bought a 
wagon and blacksmith shop which he worked 
in for a year and a half, and then returned to 
his old trade of harness-making. He con- 
tinued in this for two years, and then went 
to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained 
two years, engaged in the harness and trans- 
fer business. After leaving Minneapolis Mr. 
Muldoon took an extensive trip through Da- 
kota, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri 
and Iowa. In 1887 he came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, where he has since resided. 
In the spring of 1888 he opened a harness 
shop, and has established a good trade, as his 
general disposition has made him many 
friends. In January, 1889, he took a part- 
ner in his business, and the firm now stands 
Muldoon & Anderson. They are energetic 
business men, and are destined to make their 
mark in the commercial circles of Shelby 
County. Politically Mr. Muldoon is an active 
Democrat. 

— S ' ^"^ ' ^ '" '" — 




II. ALLEN, a native of Sangamon 
County, Illinois, born April 27, 1844, 
is the son of Andrew and Lovina 
(Roberts) Allen. His early life was spent on 
a farm, and his education was begun in the 
common schools. When he was seventeen 
years of age he began teaching school, and 



was engaged in this profession for twenty- 
two terms, or something over live years. 
When he was four years old his parents came 
to Iowa and settled in Mahaska County, and 
afterward removed to Monroe County, where 
they resided eight years. Mr. Allen entered 
Oskaloosa College when he was twenty-four 
years of age, and spent a part of the three 
following years in taking a general course. 
In 1883 he came to Shelby County and pur- 
chased forty acres of land in Jefferson Town- 
ship, where he remained one year. He then 
came to Irwin, and bought a stock of general 
merchandise of the Townsend Brothers; at 
the end of two years he sold out to T. N. 
Harford, and purchased the stock of P. F. 
Cole; after one year he sold to Mr. Stein- 
honsen, and then bought the stock of E. J. 
Trowbridge, with the building, a spacious 
room, in which he carries a finely assorted line 
of goods. In the four years in which he has 
engaged in this business he has built up an 
excellent trade, his annual sales reaching 
$15,000. He is an energetic, pushing man, 
and is one of Shelby County's leading busi- 
ness men. Aside from his mercantile inter- 
ests he handles coal and lumber, and has his 
farm under his personal supervision, lie is a 
staunch Republican. Mr. Allen was united 
in marriage December 25, 1870, to Miss Al- 
cinda Long, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary 
A. (Bell) Long, and native of Mahaska 
County, born in April, 1852. The result of 
this union is six children — Minnie, Orlando, 
Clarence, Totty, Mary and Ernest. Mrs. Allen 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Allen is a member of the A. 
F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F., and of the 
Legion of Honor. In the late civil war he 
enlisted, February 16, 18G3, in the Thirtieth 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company D, serv- 
inir until the close of the Rebellion. He was 
taken prisoner in the first battle in which he 





^?>t^ 



BIOQRAPHWAL ISKETOUES. 



565 



participated, at Mark's Mills, Arkansas, and 
was held in Camp Ford, Texas, for ten months, 
where he suffered the hardships endured in 
the southern prisons. 

•°'" | ' i"I ' g '*~' 



fHOMAS JEFFERSON RYAN, a na- 
tive of Rochester, New York, was born 
February 15, 1851, and is the son of 
Jeffery and Sarah (Clark) Ryan, natives of 
Ireland, who emigrated to America before 
marriage. They first settled in Canada, then 
in New York, and subsequently removed to 
Ogle County, Illinois, which is their present 
residence. They are the parents of si.x children. 
Thomas Jefferson, the second child, was reared 
to farm life and received his education in the 
public schools of Illinois. At the age of six- 
teen years he entered tiie employ of J. H. 
Newcomer, Ogle County, Illinois, owner of a 
large stock farm ; here he spent live or six 
years, and became thoroughly initiated in the 
live-stock business. In 1870 Mr. Ryan took 
a trip to California, and remained there two 
years; he was engaged as clerk and book- 
keeper on a fruit ranch belonging to his 
Uncle Mortimer Ryan, at Sonoma, Sonoma 
County. After his sojourn in California he 
returned to Illinois, remaining there but a 
short time. lie then came to Iowa, settling 
near Brooklyn, in Poweshiek County, where 
he resided until 1882, when he came to 
Shelby County. He settled on a farm of 120 
acres in section 34, Greeley Township, which 
he had purchased three years previously; he 
lias since added forty acres to his first pur- 
chase. This was all unimproved land, but 
has undergone quite a change in the past few 
years. In 1884 Mr. Ryan erected a fine 
frame residence to take the place of a smaller 
one that has since been converted into a 
granary; be has large and convenient build- 



ings for stock and grain, and a system of 
water-works supplying water for domestic 
purposes and live-stock. These various im- 
provements have cost upward of $3,200, and 
the farm is considered one of the most de- 
sirable in the county. Mr. Ryan also owns 
a farm of eighty acres in section 10, Greeley 
Township, which he rents. The first men- 
tioned farm is devoted largely to the breeding 
of thoroughbred registered short-horn cattle, 
of which he has a herd of the Phyllis, Prin- 
cess, Young Mary, and Rose of Sharon fam- 
ilies. In December,. 1885, Mr. Ryan took 
charge of the Lauderbach stock farm which 
occupies the whole of section 16, Greeley 
Township, and removed to this place; how- 
ever, he still has his own farm under his im- 
mediate supervisfon. J. II. Cummings, of 
Tacoraa, Washington Territory, now owns 
the Lauderbach farm, but Mr. Ryan has the 
management of the place. Upon this farm 
a specialty is made of breeding Holstein- 
Friesian cattle, there now being twenty-six 
head selected from Philadelphia breeders and 
importers. First-class horses are also kept 
for breeding, the Hambletonian, Percheron 
and Norman being represented by the best 
animals. While still a minor young Ryan 
turned a large part of his earnings toward 
assisting his father complete the payments 
on what is still his home, and although he 
was entitled to his own earnings, he chose to 
render such assistance to his parents. His 
life furnishes a fair example of what success 
can be achieved through industry and per- 
severance. Politically he is an active worker 
in the Democratic ranks, and has been ofK- 
cially indentified with his township as clerk, 
assessor and secretary of the school board. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth 
Lodge, of Irwin, No. 493, and of the Farmers' 
Alliance. Mr. Ryan was married October 
28, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Grant, daughter 



566 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of Henry and Ellen (Haggard) Grant, natives 
of Scotland and Ireland respectively. Mrs. 
Ryan was born in Poweshiek Countj', Iowa, 
October 28, 1855. She was reared in the 
Presbyterian faith, and finished her edu- 
cation at Grinnell, Iowa. She taught school 
for nearly four years prior to her marriage, 
in Iowa and Poweshiek counties. She has 
stood faithfully by her husband in all his 
labors, assisting both in counsel and execution 
of plans. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren — Myrtle Ethel, Herbert Roy, Earl Grant 
and Sara Ellen. , 



T. HENRY, a native of Peru, Miami 
County, Indiana, born May 10, 1857, 
' is a son of Milton and Clara (Kings- 
bury) Henry, natives of New York. When 
he was eight years old his parents removed 
to Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa, where 
his boyhood was spent. He received his edu- 
cation in the graded public schools of Peru 
and Blairstown. When fifteen years of age 
he entered the employ of J. H. Henry, who 
was engaged in the grain business. He re- 
mained with him six months, and was then 
employed by J. H. Henry's successors, Ryan 
& Kelly, with whom he remained nine months. 
He then worked for a year with Grund Broth- 
ers in a hotel, and at the end of that time re- 
turned to his former employment in the grain 
business. In 1882 he secured a position 
on the railroad, which he held for eighteen 
months. He commenced as car checker at 
night, but applying himself faithfully to his 
duties, he was promoted until he gained the 
position of car accountant. In December, 
1884, Mr. Henry came to Irwin and took 
charge of the grain department of Martin D. 
Stevens & Compfiny, commission merchants, 
Chicago. He has since assumed full control 



of the business at this point, buying and 
shipping all kinds of grain, and through his 
management quite an extensive business has 
been built up, the annual shipments aggre- 
gating 300 cars. Mr. Henry is a live, ener- 
getic man, of a genial and courteous disposi- 
tion, and will gain many friends wherever he 
may be placed in life. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., and is at present conductor. 
Politically he is an active worker in the Re- 
publican party, and is secretary of the Re- 
publican Club of Irwin. Mr. Henry was 
united in marriage, November 27, 1884, to 
Miss Lucia Anderson, daughter of David and 
Phcebe Anderson, born in Blairstown, Iowa, 
in 1859. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren — Carrie May, born January 28, 1887, 
and Clara Phoebe, born November 27, 1888. 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and are among 
Shelby County's most respected and worthy 
citizens. 

•'♦•■" I ' SuS - ^" -*" 



jjjETER FREDERICK COLD, a native 
of North Germany, born May 12, 1852, 
is a son of Ferdinand and Johannah 
Cold. When he was four years old his parents 
emigrated to America and settled in Clinton 
County, where he was reared and spent his 
early life. He attended the common schools 
of Alliance, and afterward the seminary of 
the same place. When he had reached his 
majority he entered Clinton College, which 
he attended for three years. Althongh reared 
to farm life, after his college course he 
engaged with Reifi" & Berlins as clerk in the 
town of Bryant. He remained here but a 
short time before he was transferred to Pres- 
ton. He remained with this firm five years, 
when the stock was destroyed by fire. After 
closing up the business for the firm, he took 



BIOQRAPUIGAL SKETGHES. 



567 



a trip to Europe and spent five inontlis vieit- 
ing in France, Germany and Denmark. After 
liis retnrn to America lie engaged immedi- 
ately with Comstock & Woods as clerk in a 
general stock of merchandise at Lost Nation, 
Iowa. He remained in the employ of this 
firm for a year and a half, when he returned 
to Preston and spent one winter. In the 
spring of 1881 he came to Shelby County 
and located at Irwin, which was then in its 
infancy. Here he opened a general stock of 
merchandise, and conducted the business until 
May, 1887; he then disposed of the stock to 
Paul et Allen, and engaged in stock-raising 
and shipping. Besides his large interests in 
live-stock, he deals extensively in real-estate, 
owning at present 380 acres of land in Shelby 
County, besides town property, town lots and 
280 acres of land in Nebraska. Mr. Cold is 
a live, energetic man, and stands to-day in 
the front ranks of Shelby County's prosper- 
ous citizens. Politically he is a Republican. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He 
was married April 22, 1883, to Miss Augusta 
Nieman, a daughter of H. A. and Dora Nie- 
man. Mrs. Cold was born December 22, 
1866. They are the parents of two children 
—Otto H. and Bertha E. D. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cold are members of the Lutheran church, 
and are among Shelby County's most re- 
spected citizens. 



►4«t^ 



fOIIN C. WOOSTER, a native of Wit- 
tenberg, Germany, was born December 7, 
1829, and is the son of Christian Woos- 
ter. He was reared on a farm in his native 
country, and was educated in the common 
schools. He served four years in the Ger- 
man army, but his pride revolted against the 
treatment he was subjected to, so he deter- 
mined to seek a home in a more congenial 
87 



clime. Like many another, he turned to 
America, and landed in New York in 1854, 
penniless and unable to speak one word of 
English. He brought with him the deter- 
mination characteristic of the German peo- 
ple, and nothing daunted, started for Massa- 
chusetts. After many days of weary travel 
through snow and rain, sometimes without 
food, he stopped near Springfield, Massachu- 
setts, where he secured employment with a 
man who promised him his clothes and ftlOO 
for one year's work. He received one $3 suit 
of clothes and $10 in money for his pay, 
and half the time had not enough to eat. He 
was discouraged with this adversity in a 
strange country, but struggled bravely on in 
hopes of better days. After filling his con- 
tract with his first employer he went to 
Thompsonville, Hartford County, Connecti- 
cut, where he took charge of a livery stable 
for about two years. He was then employed 
in a knitting factory where he remained for 
ten years. His next move was to New 
York, where he worked on a farm for a short 
time; he then worked in a tannery, running 
the engine for eight months. At the end of 
this time he went to Carroll County, Illinois; 
here he was employed in a saw-mill for three 
years, and worked on a farm for four years. 
Mr. Wooster was married September 6, 1855, 
to Miss Barbara Smeltsley, a daughter of 
Fred Smeltsley, who was born in Wittenberg, 
Germany, December 30, 1830. In 1875 Mr. 
Wooster removed his family to Shelby 
County, Iowa, and settled in Jefl'erson Town- 
ship, where he liomesteaded 160 acres of land 
which was then wild prairie. The family 
had to undergo many privations in those early 
days of the settlement of the county. At 
one time they were obliged to live ou noth- 
ing but potatoes for six weeks; but they 
faced these hardships bravely and won in the 
battle. Mr. Wooster has a fine residence, 



5«8 



HIHTOliT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



large and convenient barns for stock and grain. 
He now owns 280 acres of as fine land as 
Shelby County affords. He and his wife 
have eight children — Barbara, wife of William 
Finch; John (deceased); William, John C, 
Fred Christian, Eva, wife of Jasjier Groat; 
Christina, and Charles (deceased). The family 
are wortliy members of the United Brethren 
church. Mr.Wooster is a staunch Republican. 



lEORGE E. HECK is a native of Wabash 
County, Indiana, and was born Septem- 
ber 19, 1846. He is the son of John 
and Sarah Ann (Rockwell) Heck, natives of 
Germany and Virginia respectively. He was 
reared in his native county, and educated in 
the common schools; these at that time did 
not afford unlimited advantages, but by close 
observation and diligent reading Mr. Heck 
acquired a fund of information of which many 
college-bred men might be proud. Mr. Heck 
was married May 2, 1866, to Miss Mary E. 
Richards, a daughter of George W. and 
Delilah (Ferran) Richards, who was born in 
Wabash County, Indiana, March 5, 1847. 
They are the parents of tive children — 
William A., John E., Rose A., Albert, 
J. and Violet. After their marriage 
they resided in Wabash County for three 
years, and in the fall of 1869 they removed 
to Tama County, Iowa, where Mr. Heck en- 
gaged in farming; there they resided until 
1873, when they removed to Pottawattamie 
County; in the same autumn Mr. Heck came 
to Shelby County and bought eighty acres of 
land in Jefferson Township, which was unim- 
proved. In the spring of 1874 he moved his 
family to their new home, where he had 
erected a log cabin, 14. \ 14 feet; here they 
lived two years, and in the spring of 1877 re- 
moved to 160 acres of land south of his first 



purchase; here he has since made his home, 
adding many improvements until he has one 
of the best improved farms in the township. 
He has planted two acres of grove, has a 
comfortable frame dwelling, and barns for 
stock and grain. He has done much toward 
the opening and improvement of the county, 
and well deserves the esteem and respect in 
which he is held. He devotes himself ex- 
clusively to agricultural pursuits, and is very 
successful. He has held many positions of 
trust, and has been secretary of the school 
board for fifteen years continuously. He 
takes an active interest in the educational 
features of the county, and heartily assists 
every enterprise of an educational character, 
lie has served as township trustee for several 
terms. Politically heafliliateswitli the Demo- 
cratic party, but casts his suffrage inde- 
pendently. He is a member of the Shelby 
County Farmers' Alliance. In their pioneer 
days in this county Mr. and Mrs. Heck were 
compelled to undergo many hardships, but 
they faced them bravely and are now enjoy- 
ing the reward of their labors. The family are 
among the most worthy and respected people 
of the county. 



••♦ "4 « S"! ' ^" '- 

ARLAN D EDWARDS, a native of Bar- 
ron, now Metcalfe, County, Kentucky, 
born February 11, 1821, is a son of 
William and Julia (Furgeson) Edwards, na- 
tives of Virginia. He was reared on a farm 
in his native State, and received his edu- 
cation in the subscription schools of those 
days. This was necessarily limited, but what 
was lacking in opportunity has been made up 
by nature in endowing her subject with a keen^ 
close observation. Mr. Edwards was married 
December 24, 1845, to Miss Luciuda Piper, 
a daivghter of John and Jane Piper, natives 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



669 



of Virginia and South Carolina respectively. 
Mrs. Edwards was born in Metcalfe County, 
Iventncky, December 13, 1825. Tliej re- 
mained in Metcalfe Comity live years after 
their marriage, and then removed to Marion 
County, Iowa, where they remained one year, 
and then to Jasper County, wiiere they re- 
sided until 1872. They then came to Shelby 
County, settling on a homestead in Douglas 
Township, which was reclaimed by the rail- 
road. Mr. Edwards then purchased 300 acres 
of wild, unimproved land; here he planted 
four acres of grov^e, erected a comfortable 
residence, and barns for stock and grain, and 
made all the improvements necessarj* to a 
well-regulated farm. He and his wife ex- 
perienced many hardships in their early life 
in the new country, but they faced them 
bravely, and to-day are reaping the reward. 
Mr. Edwards and wife are the parents of 
three children — Eliza, wife of AVilliam Wad- 
kins, of Highland Grove, Shelby County; 
William and Jolin, both residing with their 
parents. In 1887 they moved from the old 
home farm to section 36, Greeley Township. 
Mr. Edwards and sons own about 600 acres 
of Siielby County's best soil. He has lield the 
office of township trustee, and affiliates with 
the Republican party. In the late civil war 
he enlisted in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, Company E, and served fourteen 
months, and was discharged on account of 
disability. 



IBENEZER IRWIN is a native of Cam- 
bria County, Pennsylvania, and was 
born January 28, 1821. He is the 
son of Edward and Elizabeth (Decker) Irwin, 
natives of Westmoreland County, Pcnnsyl 
vania. Until he was fifteen years old he lived 
on a farm in his native county; he then 



worked on the Pennsylvania Canal through 
the summer seasons for si.x or seven years. 
After leaving the canal he was employed in 
the Cambria Iron AVorks where he remained 
for several years. He also worked in the 
rolling mills for three years, after which he 
came to Iowa in 1861, and settled in Wash- 
ington County, where he engaged in farming; 
he has since followed agricultural pursuits. 
Mr. Irwin was married May 22, 1845, to 
Miss Elizabeth Zech, a native of York County, 
Pennsylvania, who died in 1849; this union 
resulted in one child — John S., who died in 
Washington County, Iowa, aged thirty-four 
years. Mr. Irwin was again married March 
22, 1852, to Miss Priscilla Treat, daughter of 
Laban Treat; she was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
February 28, 1827. The result of this union 
was nine children — Julia, wife of Winfield 
Pixley; Harry, Iluth, Edward,'Emma, Chattie 
and Jennie, twins, Jennie being the wife of 
Willson Wurtzbaugh; Cornelia, and John. 
Ruth, Julia, Chattie and Jennie have all been 
engaged in school work. In Feljruary, 1876, 
Mr. Irwin and family came to Shelby County, 
Iowa, and settled in Jefferson Township on a 
farm of 160 acres of partially improved land. 
Here he has made his home, adding many 
valuable improvements in the way of erecting 
buildings and planting a grove. All the 
surroundings bespeak the thrift and energy of 
the owner. Mr. Irwin has done much toward 
the opening up and improving of the sur- 
rounding country, and has served as justice 
of the peace and on the board of education. 
He is a Republican, and stands by his party. 
He and his wife are zealous members of the 
Methodist Ejjiscopal church, and were among 
the promoters and workers in the founding 
of the society at Irwin. Mrs. Irwin died 
March 18, 1883. When they first came to 
Iowa they suffered many privations, but 
faced all hardships with true pioneer spirit. 



570 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Mr. Irwin is a member of the Farmers' Al- 
liance, and in every way is a worthy citizen. 



^1*^ 






S. IRWIN, son of E. W. and Mary A. 
Irwin, was born in Cambria County, 
"* Pennsylvania, December 6, 1848. He 
was the second child and only boy in a fam- 
ily of nine children. His early childhood was 
spent in an uneventful manner. Residing more 
than a mile from the nearest school-house, 
under the then imperfect free-school system 
of Pennsylvania, his means of acquiring a 
liberal education, or even laying the founda- 
tion of the same, were necessarily limited. 
The school term then consisted of a period of 
three months. When the war of the Rebellion 
broke out, being the son of poor parents, 
young Irwin was obliged to bid adieu to his 
school life and assume the management of a 
contract to furnish sand for the western di- 
vision of the Central Railroad and the city 
of Pittsburg. His life was spent in tliis work 
until the spring of 1865, when he removed 
with his father's family to Iowa. Just as the 
glad news of Lee's surrender was received he 
turned hisback upon tliehomeof hischildhood. 
On reaching Iowa he settled with his father's 
family in Washington County. His desire 
for an advanced education had not grown 
less, but the wolf was to be kept from the 
door, and the struggle for existence was to be 
made; being the only help his father had in 
the support of a large family, attending school 
was impossible. Mr. Irwin then formed the 
very e.\cellent habit of investing a few dollars, 
as they could be spared, in books, and employ- 
ing all his spare time in study. During the 
winter of 1867 he tauglit school, and the fol- 
lowing summer assisted his father in the farm 
work. In the autumn of the same year he 
attended the Iowa City Commercial College; 



mastered the Bryant & Stratton system of 
bookkeeping in eight weeks, and returned in 
time to help harvest the corn crop and teach 
a winter's term of school. In the spring of 
1870 Mr. Irwin removed to Shelby County, 
Iowa, and purchased land in section 30, Jef- 
ferson Township, a part of which is occupied 
by the town of Irwin. He improved this 
farm and continued teaching during the win- 
ters. At that time the improvements in the 
northeastern part of Shelbj' County consisted 
of three small dwellings. Avoca, thirty miles 
distant, was the nearest market for grain and 
live-stock. Harlan at that time was a ham- 
let of less than a dozen houses, contained one 
store carrying a general stock of merchandise, 
and one drug store. In February, 1875, D. 
S. Irwin was married to Iliia, daughter of 
Garland Edwards. He then built a house on 
his flirm in section 30, and resided there until 
1879. In 1879 Mr. Irwin purcliased a law 
library and began reading law; he was admitted 
to the bar at the March term of the Circuit 
Court in 1880. At the time of the comple- 
tion of the Iowa & Southwestern Railroad, 
Mr. Irwin sold a portion of his farm for the 
town site of Irwin. Soon after he sold all but 
a small part, on which he built a residence, 
and engaged in the practice of law in Irwin 
with more than ordinary success. D. S. Irwin 
is an uncompromising advocate of Prohibitory 
legislation against the liquor traffic, and the 
large vote in Jefferson Township in favor of 
this amendment is due to the influence of Mr. 
Irwin. In 1883 death claimed his wife, and 
at the early age of thirty-two years she was 
laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, leaving 
her husband and four small children — Leroy, 
Willie, Oliver and Jennie. Mr. Irwin was 
wedded to Mary Stovall, of Metcalfe County, 
Kentucky. She was born August 1, 1859. 
One son, Lee, has been born to them. Mr. 
Irwin continued the practiceof law until 1886, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



571 



■when he traded his residence for a farm in 
Greelej Township, and abandoned law for 
the more congenial pursuit of farming. He 
has 240 acres of fine land, commodious barns, 
and is engaged in stock-raising. As early as 
1871 he became prominent in the politics of 
the county, and the excellent financial stand- 
ing of Jefferson Township is due in a great 
measure to D. S. Irwin. 



' ! '« ; ♦ ! '♦ *" 



E. AVERILL, a native of Canada 
West, was born September 13, 1841, 
* and is the son of Thomas and Anna 
(Flewuelling) Averill. At the age of eight 
years his parents removed to Macomb County, 
Michigan, where he spent his early life, be 
was trained to agricultural pursuits, and was 
educated in the public schools. At the age 
of seventeen years he began to learn the car- 
penter's trade, which avocation he followed 
for six years. His life has been somewhat 
varied since he abandoned his trade. In 
1863 he came to Davenport, Iowa, and en- 
gaged in the carpenter's trade; he then re- 
moved to De Witt, Clinton County, where 
he followed the same trade for a time; here 
he also engaged in the insurance business. 
From this point he removed to Lincoln, Illi- 
nois, where he managed a hotel, the Sherman 
House, for one year. He then sold this and 
returned to Iowa, settling at Wheatland, 
Clinton County; here he resided two years, 
engaged in tlie fruit-tree business. After his 
stay in Wheatland he went to Marshall 
County, and farmed four years. He then re- 
moved to Newton, Jasper County, where he 
embarked in the general merchandise trade; 
this he continued three years, and the next 
six years was employed in farming. In tlie 
spring of 1882 he came to Siielljy County, 
and settled on a farm of 200 acres in (ireeley 



Township, which he had purchased in the 
winter of 1879 and 1880. This was wild 
land, but has since been brought to such an 
advanced state of cultivation that it is one of 
the finest farms in the county. Mr. Averill 
has made his own improvements in buildings, 
probably reaching $3,000 in value. He has 
a fine system of water- works, supplying water 
to live-stock and for domestic purposes. The 
farm is known as Pleasant Ridcre Stock Farm, 
and is situated one and a half miles from 
Defiance. Mr. Averill also operates a dairy 
in connection with his other farm work. He 
makes a specialty of high grades and fine 
breeds of cattle, and takes an active interest 
in the improvement of all kinds of live-stock. 
He is a supporter of the Republican party, and 
is at present serving as Justice of the peace in 
his township. He has served on the board of 
education, and is a member of the Farmers' 
Alliance. Mr. Averill was married October 
14, 1865, to Miss Lucinda Porter, a daughter 
of Matthew H. and Sarah (Carl) Porter, who 
was born in Putnam County, Illinois, May 
14, 1839. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren — Carrie B., wife of Robert Crisp; 
Thomas M., Ida M. and Edwin II.; the last 
three are residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Averill are worthy and consistent members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 



iOBERT JAMES, an enterprising farmer 
of (Treeley Township, has been a citizen 
of Shelljy County since 1880. He was 
born in Davenport, Iowa, February 8, 1858, 
and is a son of George and Sarah (Mont- 
gomery) James. His youth was ])assed in 
Davenport, and at the age of fourteen years he 
removed to Powesiiiek County, Iowa, where 
he engaged in farming for eight years. As 
before stated, Mr. James came to Siielby 



573 



HISTORY OF SUELDY COUNTY. 



County in the year 1880, and settled on a 
farm of unimproved land in Douglas Townsliip. 
There were eighty acres in this place, which 
he placed under good cultivation, and sold, 
going to Astor, Crawford County, Iowa, where 
he bought an interest in a stock of hardware 
with F. W. Blackburn; he continued in tliis 
business for two and a half years, and then 
traded his stock for a farm of eighty acres in 
Greeley Township. lie also owns forty acres 
in section 3, Greeley Township, and eighty 
acres in Crawford County, all of which is 
under good cultivation, and all of which lies 
in one body. In 1885 Mr. James erected a 
line frame residence on his farm in section 4, 
where he has one of the most attractive homes 
in the community. He devotes himself to 
farming, stock-raising and shipping, and is a 
live, energetic man, standing in the foremost 
ranks of Shelby County's well-to-do citizens. 
Politically Mr. James give a staunch support 
to the Republican party. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., and of the Iowa Legion of 
Honor. September 3, 1885, he was married 
to Alice Saunders, daughter of Charles and 
Louisa Saunders, who was born in Dane 
County, Wisconsin, September 4, 1862. Mr. 
James has done much toward tlie improve- 
ment and advancement of the county, and well 
deserves the honor and esteem in which he is 
held in the community. 



■^-^i^-^ 



fM. FllATT, an enterprising farmer of 
Shelby County, was born in Warsaw, 
* Wyoming County, New York, Decem- 
ber 29, 1834. He is the son of Asa and Ema- 
linc (Kidder) Pratt. The father was born in 
Vermont and the mother was a native of tiie 
State of New York. J. M. was but ten years 
of age when his parents removed to Lake 
County. Illinois, wliere he passed his youth. 



He was trained to the occupation of a farmer, 
and at the age of eighteen years started out 
for himself, with no capital but energy and 
ambition. He iirst went to the copper mines 
of Michigan, and there engaged in teaming. 
He remained in this place one year, and then 
went on the lakes as a sailor; he followed the 
water at broken intervals for several years. 
In the great Rebellion he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and served his country faithfully for three 
years and two months. He participated in 
the following noted battles: Vicksburg, Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, and went 
with General Sherman on his famous march 
to the sea. He served as Corporal from his 
entrance into the service, and was afterward 
promoted to the position of Sergeant. After 
the close of the war he came to Jasper County, 
Iowa, and remained there a year and a half. 
In the fall of 1867 he came to Shell)y County, 
and settled in what is known as Greeley 
Township; he purchased eighty acres of wild 
land and erected the first house in the town- 
ship, a log-cabin; here he resided three years, 
making many improvements. At the expira- 
tion of this time he removed to Atlantic, 
Iowa, where he spent one winter. He then 
returned to Shelby County, purchasing eighty 
acres of wild land in Douglas Township; this 
he improved, residing upon it four years, ^ 
when he sold it and came to Greeley Town- 
ship, where he still resides; his first purchase 
was eighty acres, and he has added to it until 
he now owns a quarter section of as good 
farming land as lies in the borders of Shelby 
County. He has opened up three different 
farms in the county, and made many improve- 
ments, which have all been first-class. Mr. 
Pratt has held many positions of honor and 
trust, and has been identified with his town- 
ship officially, as assessor, and has served as 
secretary of the school board for twelve years. 





^cc^- 




niOORAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



575 



He lias done much to promote education in 
the county, and has assisted in the erection of 
every school-house in the township. Politi- 
cally he is a staunch, active Greenbacker, 
being one of the organizers of the party in 
the county; from the founding of the party 
he has been a member of the central com- 
mittee, lie is a member of the Farmers' 
Alliance. Mr. Pratt was married November 
12, 1861, to Lydia L. Thompson, a daughter 
of Jasper and Ludia A. (Graham) Thompson; 
she was born in Canada, July 16, 1844. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pratt are the parents of six children 
— Olarence, deceased at the age of thirteen 
years; William, Nellie, Cora, Florence, and 
Vera. 



►>.^ 



ACOB BOSLEY, retired farmer, is one 
of the best known of Lincoln Township's 
pioneers, having settled there in 1865. 
He was born in Fayette County, Pennsyl- 
vania, March 23, 1827, and is the son of 
Greenbury and Huldah (Morris) Bosley, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood 
in his native county, being reared to the life 
of a farmer, and receiving his education in 
the common schools. In 1848 he went to 
Putnam County, Illinois, being one of the 
pioneers there; thence he removed to LaSalle 
County, Illinois, and remained there until 
1865, when he came to Iowa and settled on 
section 16, Lincoln Township, Shelby County. 
Here he improved 320 acres of wild land, 
placing it under cultivation and erecting a 
residence and barn. He also planted a fine 
grove of trees. He was one of the very first 
settlers in this part of the county, and endured 
all the privations with which the pioneer 
alone is familiar. He owns, in addition to 
his farm in section 1(5, eighty acres in sec- 
tion 10, and eighty acres in Cass Township, 



making a total of 480 acres. Politically Mr. 
Bosley stands by the Republican party. He 
has done his share in the improvement of 
Shelby County, and is counted among the 
financially solid men of the county. 



►^V4j*|«.^ 




ILLIAM KEAIRNES is a native of 
the Ilawkeye State, having been 
born in Grove Township, Shelby 
County, on the old Keairnes homestead, in 
Keairnes's Grove, March 15, 1854. He is a 
son of Wilson and Sarah Keairnes, whose 
biography will be found on another page of 
this work. Our subject was reared in the 
township in which he was born, and received 
his education in the common schools of the 
neighborhood. He remained under the pa- 
rental roof until he was twenty-two years of 
age; then he started for himself, renting a 
farm for two years. In 1877 he purchased a 
tract of forty acres of wild land in section 
28, which he began to improve; he also rented 
land which he farmed in connection with his 
own land. He has since added 320 acres to 
this first purchase, so that his farm consists 
of 360 acres, all in Grove Township. It is 
all under cultivation except the last eighty 
acres which he bought. He has a good frame 
residence, and barns for stock and grain. He 
has done much for the advancement of the 
community in which he lives, and although 
a young man, he has risen to a position in 
the county of which he may well be proud, 
lie is a self-made man, having started with 
nothing but will and determination to suc- 
ceed. Mr. Keairnes is a staunch Republican, 
and has represented the township as trustee, 
and is now acting treasurer of the school 
board. He was married August 9, 1879, to 
Miss Margaret, daughter of i'atrick and 
Hannorah Tierney. She was born in Clinton 



576 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



County, Iowa, February 14, 1860. They are 
the parents of four children — Nellie M., 
Clarence P., Bessie E. and Blanche 11. Tlioy 
are members of Saint Mary's Catholic Church- 



p(IMON A. SIDENER, a pioneer farmer 
of Shelby County, Iowa, was born in 
Marion, Marion County, Ohio, February 
16, 1825. He is the son of George and Mary 
(Baughman) Sidener, natives of Pennsylvania. 
He was the only child of this union, but had 
half-brothers and half-sisters, as the mother 
married after the death of his father. He 
obtained his education in the common schools, 
and at the age of seventeen years he began to 
learn the cabinet-maker's trade; he worked at 
this only one year, however, and then engaged 
in various pursuits until he was twenty years 
of age, when he came as far west as Indiana; 
there he remained two years, turning his hand 
to anything that would bring an honest dollar. 
He next went to St. Joe, Michigan, and re- 
sided there fourteen years, following farming 
most of the time. In 1857 he came to Iowa, 
and settled on a farm of forty acres, princi- 
pally timber land, in section 28, Grove Town- 
ship ; he purchased forty acres of prairie land 
in section 27, and has brought it all to a high 
state of cultivation. He has since made this 
his home, and lias done much for the improve- 
ment and advancement of the county. He 
has made later purchases of land, until he 
now owns 103 acres; he has a nice frame 
dwelling-house, surrounded by an orchard of 
three acres, which he himself planted. Mr. 
Sidener was married September 5, 1850, to 
Miss Cynthia J., daughter of William and 
Nancy (Willson) Nickerson, natives of New 
York. Mrs. Sidener was born in the village 
of Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, Oc- 
tober 5, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener were 



compelled to meet many hardships, but they 
did it in true pioneer style, and to-day are en- 
Joying the pleasures won by many years of 
economy and industry. At times in those 
early days they were compelled to makeilour 
and meal by grinding grain in the coifee-raill, 
or by cooking corn and then grating it. Their 
nearest market place was Council Bluifs, fifty 
miles distant. Mr. Sidener has had an able 
assistant and faithful cnmpanion in his loyal 
wife. He is a staunch Democrat, and has 
held several township otKces. 

m l i H? » j > t ^ ■ Ti ll <al 



J. RUNNELLS, one of the ])ioneer 
settlers of Shelby County, was born 
** in New Ilampsiiire about the year 
1825, and at an early day came to Du Page 
County, Illinois, and for many years made it 
his home. His life was spent in various 
pursuits; having learned both the baker's 
and carpenter's trades, he devoted much time 
and attention to these industries. He also 
engaged in farming, and at different times he 
was interested in the mercantile trade. He 
was married in Illinois to Martha Hawkins, 
daughter of Luke and Margaret Hawkins, 
who was born in Indiana. Mrs. Rnnnells's 
maiden name was Benjamin. They con- 
tinued to reside in Illinois ui\til 1851, when 
Mr. Runnells came west alone and spent some 
time in and about Council Bluffs. He was 
employed as ferryman and also assisted in a 
bakery and stove. He returned to Illinois 
and in 1854 removed his family, consisting 
of wife and three children, to Galland's 
Grove, purchasing a claim of Mr. Galland. 
Since that time he has made Grove Township 
his home, with the exception of a few years 
spent in Nebraska and Utah. Mr. Ruimells 
figured very prominently in the political his- 
tory of the county, being elected the first re- 



BIOGIiAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 



577 



corder of the county, and having tilled several 
minor offices in the township. He was also 
well versed in the practice of law and had 
been admitted to the har He took charge 
of many cases that came up in the county. 
He was an important factor in the advance- 
ment of the educational and social interests 
of the county, and probably did as much as 
any man living toward the establishment of 
the schools in the community. He dealt 
very extensively in real-estate, always im- 
proving lands in his possession. He was a 
man highly esteemed for his integrity of 
character, and his death, wliich occurred in 
Council Bluffs, April 28, 1888, was deeply 
regretted by a host of friends. He left a 
widow and seven children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kunnells were the parents of ten children — 
Sophrona; Cynthia, wife of Stuart Culver; 
Alice (deceased), George E., the subject of 
this notice; Martha (deceased), Henry S., 
Florence (deceased), Altha, wife of George 
Stevenson; Hattie, James, and Asha, wife of 
B. Zilla. George E. Runuells was born in 
Da rage County, Illinois, March 10, 1849, 
but was reared in Iowa, having come with 
his parents to the State when a child. He 
was educated in the district schools and was 
trained to the occupation of a farmer, which 
he follows in connection with stock-raising. 
He owns a farm of eighty acres in section 
27, on which he resides; also eighty acres 
in section 22, forty acres in section 9, and 
five acres in section 15. He took his home 
place from the raw prairie, and has made 
numerous improvements in the way of erect- 
ing buildings and in the cultivation of the 
soil. Mr. Runuells is an energetic, enter- 
prising fanner, and enjoys the esteem of a 
wide circle of acquaintances. He was mar- I 
ricd June 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah, daughter j 
of Willson and Sarah (Parks) Keairiies. Mrs. | 
Itunnelis was born in Shelby County, August 



24, 1855. They are the parents of one child 
— Inez, born May 3, 1871. The family are 
among the most worthy and respected people 
of the county. 



lAJN'IEL FRY, a native of Franklin 
Count}', Indiana, was born September 
21, 1830. He is the son of Lewis and 
Rebecca (Conn) Fry, natives of Virginia. He 
was the oldest of a family of live children, 
and was reared in his native county, and made 
it his home until he had passed his fortieth 
year. He was educated in the common schools, 
and besides the training he received in agri- 
cultural pursuits he learned the carpenter's 
trade, and was thus doubly equipped for 
making his way in the world. Mr. Fry was 
married August 5, 1854, to Rachel Howell, 
who was born in Franklin County, Indiana, 
October 12, 1834. They have had four chil- 
dren born to them — George A., residing in 
Defiance; Mason A., residingwith his parents; 
Lewis W., residing in Union Township, a 
veterinary surgeon, and Herman L., at home. 
In 1869 Mr. Fry came to Shelby County, Iowa, 
on a prospecting tour, and to look after some 
land in the county which he had purchased in 
1868; this land was in several different tracts 
and aggregated 600 acres. In 1872 he re- 
moved his family to the coutity and located 
in section 14, Union Township, on a farm of 
160 acres; this land was wild, unbroken 
prairie, and there were but few families in 
this part of the county. Mr. Fry erected a 
small frame residence, and they began life in 
the new country. He has since made many 
valuable improvements in the way of erecting 
a tine residence and barns for stock and grain; 
the farm is in a high state of cultivation and 
is (considered one uf the best in the county; it 
now covers 400 acres. Mr. Fry affiliates with 



578 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



the Republican party, and has held the office 
of justice of the peace for a number of years; 
he has also served on the school board, and 
was the first postmaster in Union Township; 
he named the postoffice Defiance, from which 
the town of Defiance took its name. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fry are worthy and consistent members 
of the United Brethren church, and have been 
the leading spirits in the establishing of the 
society at Defiance. Mr. Fry has been an 
important factor in the promotion of all enter- 
prises having for their object the advancement 
of the community. His influence for good 
has been largely felt, and he holds a warm 
place in the hearts of the people. On coming 
to the county Mr. and Mrs. Fry were com- 
pelled to undergo many hardships; they trav- 
eled a distance of eighteen miles to mill, and 
about the same distance to a market place. 



^ANIEL BENJAMIN, a leading farmer 
of Grove Township, was born in Indi- 
ana, October 9, 1832. He is a son of 
Robert Y. and Nancy (Groves) Benjamin. In 
his infancy his parents retnoved from Indiana 
to Du Page County, Illinois, and there he 
was reared and passed his early life; he was 
trained to agricultural industries, and ob- 
tained his education in the common schools. 
At the age of twenty-six years he came to 
Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shelby 
County. Mr. Benjamin was united in mar- 
riage May 25, 1862, to Miss Nancy J. Lyons, 
who was born June 5, 1843. They are the 
parents of five children — John H.,who married 
Mary E. Cook; Robert L.,who married Minnie 
Goodale; Nathan B.,who died April 9, 1868; 
Bertha L., who died May 26, 1879, and Jesse 
P., who was born May 20, 1882. In 1863 Mr. 
Benjamin purchased a tract of 200 acres in 
sections 29 and 31, Grove Township; here he 



has erected a beautiful frame residence, and 
buildings for stock and grain; he has made 
many valuable improvements and has placed the 
land, which was unimproved when he bought 
it, under fine cultivation. He has been a 
beneficial factor in the upbuilding of this part 
of the county, and occupies a very prominent 
position in the agricultural interests of the 
community. He enjoys the esteem and re- 
gard of a wide circle of friends and is among 
the foremost citizens of the county. Politi- 
cally Mr. Benjamin is a Republican, and has 
held the ofliccs of township trustee and road 
supervisor. Mrs. Benjamin is a worthy 
member of the Seventh Day Adventlst 
church. 

fOSEPII F. BEII, the subject of this 
sketch, is one of the leading merchants 
of Harlan. He has been interested in 
the welfare of Shelby County since 1882, 
when his residence here began. He is a na- 
tive of Iowa, born in Scott County, January 
11, 1859; he is a son of F. X. and Caroline 
(Ileckel) Beh, natives of Baden, Germany, 
who emigrated to the United States in 1852; 
they first settled in Detroit, Michigan, where 
Mr. Beh followed the trade of stone-cutting, 
which he had learned in the old country. 
They resided in Michigan three years, and in 
1855 came to Scott County, Iowa, and settled 
in Buffalo, where Mr. Beh opened a stone- 
quarry and lime-kiln; he followed this oc- 
cupation for about twelve years, and then 
moved on a farm in the same county, where 
he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Beh are the 
parents of nine children, eight of whom still 
survive. Joseph F. Beh is the second son 
and third child; from the time he was twelve 
years old until he was twenty-one he lived 
on a farm; his education was obtained in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKBTCnES. 



579 



common schools and in St. l^'rancis' College, 
Quincy, HI. In 1882 he came to Harlan and 
bought a hall" interest in his present store; 
the firm name was then Haak & Beh; this 
partnership continued for two j'ears, when 
Mr. Beh purchased liis partner's interest, and 
has since conducted the business alone. He 
carries the largest stock of goods in Harlan 
and occupies two rooms. Mr. Beh was mar- 
ried October 10. 1882, to Miss Louisa D. 
Dietz, a native of Scott County, and a daughter 
of Hon. Philip and Dora rReisou) Dietz, who 
came from Germany in 1853; they located 
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where they lived 
for two years, and in 1855 they came to Wal- 
cott, Scott County, Iowa, where they still 
reside. Mr. Dietz is a member of the firm 
of Stockdale & Dietz, who are extensively 
engaged in grain and stock dealing. Mr. 
Dietz I'epresented Scott County in the twenty- 
first and twenty-second general assemblies. 
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Beh are the parents of 
two children — Dora F. and Philip C. Mr. 
Beh is a member of the Roman Catholic 
church. 

^ ' S ' T ' ^ 



F. SWIFT, County Superintendent of 
Schools, Harlan, came to Shelby County 
^' in 1882. He is a native of Iowa, born 
in Davis County, March 16, 1861, and is 
a son of Washington S. and Louvina Jane 
(Dunlavy) Swift. The former is a native of 
Wayne County, Indiana, and is a son of 
Curren E. Swift, a native of Kentucky, of 
English ancestry, who came with his family 
to Iowa at an early day, and now lives in 
Wayne County. Louvina Jane Swift, wife of 
AVashington Swift, is a native of Indiana 
and a daughter of James D. Dunlavy, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and of English descent, who 
came to Iowa in the early settlement of the 



country. Washington Swift grew to man- 
hood on a farm and was married in Davis 
County; after his marriage he followed agri- 
cultural pursuits, and still resides in Davis 
County. He and his wife are the parents of 
eight children, three sons and five daughters. 
C. F. Swift, our subject, lived on a farm 
until he was sixteen years old, when he went 
to the Southern Iowa Normal and Com- 
mercial Institute, at Bloomfield; he com- 
pleted the teacher's course and pursued the 
scientific course one year, after which he en- 
gaged in teaching in Davis County. In 
March, 1882, he came to Shelby County and 
engaged in teaching, which he followed until 
his election to the office of county superin- 
tendent of schools, in the fall of 1885; he 
was re-elected in 1887, and is the present in- 
cumbent. Mr. Swift was married in 1886, 
July 22, to Miss Tina E. Koolbeck, a native 
of Marion County, Iowa, and a daughter of 
John Koolbeck, of Harlan. By this union 
two children were born — Gaillard and Helen. 
Mr. Swift is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 
107, and is also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, Carthage Lodge, No. 65. Mrs. Swift 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Politically he affiliates with the 
Democratic party. 



HOMAS GALLAGHER is the proprie- 
tor of the City Sale, Livery and Feed 
Stables, a leading and popular estab- 
lishment of Harlan, which has been well 
known for many years. Good driving horses 
and nice carriages can be found, and all 
accommodations afibrded by any livery l)arn. 
Mr. Gallagher bought the stock and barn in 
March, 1889, and although he is not an old 
resident of Harlan, he is a man of experi- 



580 



HISTOBT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



eiice in the livery business. Thomas Gall- 
aglier was horn in the Ilavvkeye State, Clinton 
County, in 1860. He grew to manhood in 
his native place, and received his education 
there. lie first established himself in the 
livery business in Adair, Iowa, from which 
place he came to Harlan. He was married 
in Guthrie County, Iowa, to Mary McQuil- 
len, a native of tliat county. Three children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher — 
Gertie, Vincent and John. Politically Mr. 
Gallagher affiliates with the Democratic 
party. 



-^4«J^. 



|EORGE W. ICKES, of Siielby Township, 
was born in Bedford County, Pennsyl- 
vania, May 12, 1843. lie is a son of 
George and Susan (Sleek) Ickes, natives of 
Maryland. He was reared in his native county, 
where he attended the common schools. On 
the breaking out of the great Rebellion he 
enlisted at the first call for men, August, 1863, 
in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Penn- 
sylvania Infantry, Company D. He was first 
under fire at Williams's Post, Maryland; he 
took an active part in the battles of Gettys- 
burg, Brandy Station, Mine Run; through 
the battle of the Wilderness, he was under 
General Grant; he was in the battles of Spot- 
sylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; he 
served under General Sheridan ; he was for a 
time Orderly under General Keifer; he saw 
General Sheridan on his famous ride to Win- 
chester; he was honorably discharged June 
3, 1865. He took part in the grand review 
at Wasliington, District of Columbia. In 
1866 he moved to Greene County, Illinois, 
where he lived eight years. In 1874 he went 
to Dawson County, Nebraska, where he lived 
during the grasshopper raid. In 1S75 he 
came to Shelby County and first bought land 



in section 17, Shelby Township; he has owned 
six different farms in all. His home farm 
contains 100 acres of well-improved land, a 
house and barn ; he also owns 240 acres of 
land in Harrison County. He is engaged in 
stock raising and feeding. He is one of the 
stockholders in the Shelby Horse Company. 
Mr. Ickes was married in Bedford County, 
Pennsylvania, February 14, 1867, to Miss 
Elizabeth M. Hi.xson, a daughter of Nathan 
and Anna Levina (Ackers) Hi.xson. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ickes have eight children — John F., 
Alice M., Anna Levina, Martha Ellen, Enoch, 
Leroy, Jennie May, and Clara Belle. Mr. 
Ickes is a Democrat and a member of the I. 
O. O. F., Canopy Lodge, of Shelby. He is 
a man who has made a success of living, and 
although he began with small means has ac- 
cumulated valuable property; he is numbered 
among Shelby's solid and reliable men. Mr. 
Ickes is vice-president of the Shelby District 
Fair Association. He is also a member of 
the firm of Pomeroy, Ickes & Co., shippers 
and brokers of horses, Slielby, Iowa. 

• " •■ ^ • 3"I - ^ 



fB. SWAIN, a pioneer of Shelby County, 
was born in Wayne County, Indiana, 
* February 6, 1825. He is a son of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnard) Swain, na- 
tives of Tennessee and North Carolina re- 
spectively. J. B. Swain was reared on a 
farm in his native county, and at the age of 
eighteen years he went to learn the tanner's 
and saddler's trade of Coffin & Ilinshaw, of 
Economy, Indiana. He served an appren- 
ticeship of three years, and worked a greater 
part of tlie time afterward, until 1854, as a 
journeyman. In that year he came to Iowa 
and lived in Dallas County two and a half 
years. He then removed to Crawford ("ounty, 
Iowa, and remained there until 1859, when 



BIoaitAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



581 



he came to Shelby County and settled in 
Grove Township, on a farm which he made 
his home until 1866. In that year he started 
the first harness shop in Dunlap, Harrison 
County. In 1868 he bought a tavern in 
Harlan, and kept hotel there for twelve 
years. In 1877 he built the Swain Hotel, 
east of the public square. He was a genial 
and popular landlord, but retired from the 
business in 1882 and took charge of the pub- 
lic school building, of which he is still jani- 
tor. Mr. Swain was married in Wayne 
County, Indiana, in May, 1848, to Miss Irena 
Whitinger, a native of Wayne County, and 
a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Howell) 
Whitinger. Eleven children have been born 
of this marriage, seven of whom survive — 
E. C, Albert S., Henry D., Ella, wife of 
William Stutsman; Letta, wife of C. R. 
Pratt; Delia, wife of A. F. Ilolcomb, and 
Pearl. Lillie, wife of B. I. Kinsey, died in 
1889. Three died in infancy. Mr. Swain 
was reared an Abolitionist, and votes the 
Democratic ticket. He is a member of the 
church of the Latter- Day Saints. 

>.. ♦i g . S ii t . gn ■■■ 



fOIIN LOKGE, a native of Ozaukee 
County, Wisconsin, was born July 22, 
1855. He is a son of Peter and Anna 
(Weyland) Lorge, natives of Ijelgium, who 
emigrated to America in 1846 and 1849 re- 
spectively. They were united in marriage 
in 1853, and came to Iowa in 18G5. In 
1875 they came to Shelby County and settled 
in Westphalia Township, in which place, one 
year later, March 23, 1876, Mr. Lorge passed 
to his last rest. Mrs. Lorge is still living, 
and resides in Earllng. They were the parents 
of eight children — John P., John, Nicholas, 
Henry, Frank, Julius, Mary (the wife of 
John Smith), and Katie. John, the subject 



of this brief biography, was the second child, 
and until his tentli year was reared to farm 
life, llis education was obtained in tlie 
common schools, and was more of a practical 
than literary character. At the age of four- 
teen years he commenced life on his own 
responsibility, and his first business engage- 
ment was with W. J. Creamer, of Calmar, 
Iowa, dealer in agricultural implements. He 
remained in his employ for five years, and in 
1875 came to Shelby County, since that time 
making this his home, with the exception of 
nine months. In 1881 Mr. Lorge embarked 
in the agricultural implement business in 
Harlan, which he conducted for three years, 
in company with J. B. Weyland one year, 
and then with Lewis Gingery. In February, 
1884, he disposed of his stock and came to 
Earling, engaging in the same business until 
1888, at which time he placed a stock of 
harness in connection with the othei- stock. 
He carries a fine line, and also does manu- 
facturing of harness. Mr. Lorge owns a half 
interest in a stock of general merchandise, 
the business being conducted under the firm 
name of Lorge Brotliers. This stock is 
valued at $5,000. Mr. Lorge affiliates with 
the Democratic party, and has held the ofiice 
of justice of the peace for four years, lie 
was married September 15, 1885, to Miss 
Lena Kuhl, daughter of Valentine and Clara 
Kuhl, a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lorge are members of the Roman Catholic 
church. 

^ ' 2 »' t ' |" «~ 



ICHOLAS J. LORGE, a native of 
Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, was born 
February 13, 1859. He is the fourth 
child of Peter and Anna (Weiland) Lorge, 
and at the age of five years was brought to 
the Hawkeye State, Winneshiek County; 



582 



UISTOliY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



here he was educated in the common schools, 
and received training in agricultural pur- 
suits. At the age of eighteen years he 
engaged in school-teaching, and continued in 
this profession until he had taught twelve 
terms in Shelby and O'Brien counties, Iowa, 
and in Dakota. During the intervals between 
terms of school Mr. Lorge was engaged in 
clerking. In 1888 he entered into partner- 
ship with his brother John, having purchased 
the stock of J. B. Weiland. This firm carry 
a stock of $5,000 of general merchandise, and 
are doing a thriving business. Mr. Lorge 
is a member of the Roman Catholic church. 
His political sympathies are with the Dem- 
ocratic party, to which he gives his undi- 
vided support. 



f?OHN MADSEN, the senior member 
1 of the firm of Madsen & Christensen, 
dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing 
goods, Harlan, Iowa, was born in Denmark, 
January 7, 1863. He remained in his native 
country until he grew to manhood, attending 
school until the age of fifteen years. He de- 
termined to seek what fortune the new world 
might hold for him, and so sailed from 
Copenhagen for the United States, March 16, 
1887. He landed in the city of New York, 
and went directly to Chicago, Illinois. There 
he finished his education in the Chicago 
Athenffium, and then engaged in the clothing 
business until the spring of 1889, when he 
came to Harlan. He had not long been a resi- 
dent of that place before he made many friends, 
being of a genial disposition, and strictly 
honorable in all his business transactions. 
Carl Christensen, of the firm of Madsen & 
Christensen, was born in Denmark, January 
24, 1861. He attended school until he was 
twenty-two years of age, when his native 



country lost her hold upon him, and he sailed 
from Copenhagen in 1883, having graduated 
from the university of that city in Septem- 
ber of that year. After landing in the city 
of Kew York he proceeded to Clinton, Iowa, 
and for three years was engaged there in the 
clothing business. He then removed to 
Chicago, and resumed the same business, in 
which he continued until he came to Harlan 
in 1889. Mr. Christensen became a member 
of Western Star Lodge, No. 100, A. F. &. A. 
M., of Clinton, Iowa, in 1885. He is now a 
member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & 
A. M. Madsen & Christensen established 
themselves in business in Harlan in March, 
1889. They keep a large and well-selected 
stock of goods belonging to their line, and 
by upright dealing and frank and gentle- 
manly manners have won a large share of 
patronage. 



^ 



*M »| » » g t « | «i i it, 1^ 




ASON FISH, (deceased), was one of 
the first settlers of Clay Township, 
Shelby County, Iowa. He was born 
in Cayuga County, New York, March 24, 
1805, and is a son of Isaac Fish, a native of 
the State of New York, who was a soldier in 
the war of 1812. He was a son of Nathan 
Fish, who served in the war of the lievolu- 
tion for eight years. Nathan Fish's father 
was born in Wales, and with two other 
brothers was stolen and sold to planters, and 
sent to different States. Mason Fish was 
reared in the State of New York, and at the 
ace of twenty-seven years was married in 
AVarrenCounty,rennsylvania, to Miss Clarissa 
Lyon, who was born in Onondaga County, 
New York. She was a daughter of Jeremiah 
Lyon, who served in the war of 1812 for two 
years. Mason Fish lived in Pennsylvania 
for thirteen years after his marriage, and then 



BIOOHAPHICAL SKETCUES. 



085 



removed to Summit County, Ohio, where he 
lived six or eight years. He then went to 
Kane County, Illinois, and made his home 
there for two or three years. His next move 
was to Grant County, Wisconsin, in which 
place he resided until 1867, when he came to 
Clay Township, Shelby County, where he 
lived until his death, which occurred Sep- 
tember 16, 1878. He and his wife reared 
nine children — Rninina, Ed. F., Henry, 
Anna, Mary (who died in 1876), John, George 
M., Russell G., and Darliska. Mrs. Clarissa 
Fish, the mother, died February 24, 1884, 
aged seventy years. Mr. Fish was a member 
of the Masonic lodge, and was buried by the 
fraternity. He was made a Mason at Mus- 
coda, Wisconsin, and was a member of Pa- 
rian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of 
Harlan. 

— - "g ' S"; ' ! ' " " — 



tD. F. FISH is one of the best known of 
Clay Township's citizens, having been 
a resident since 1867. He is a son of 
Mason Fish and was born in Warren County, 
Pennsylvania, January 11, 1835. He was a 
lad of seventeen when his father located in 
Grant County, Wisconsin, where he grew to 
manhood. He received a fair education in 
the common schools, and taught for two years 
in Wisconsin, and has the honor of being 
master of the iirst school taught in Clay 
Township. Mr. Fish was united in marriage 
April 21, 1867, to Miss Anna Berger, a native 
of Erie County, New York, a daughter of 
Daniel and Elizabeth (Miller) Berger, natives 
of Germany. Mrs. Fish was two years old 
when her parents removed to Rock County, 
Wisconsin, where she grew to womanhood. 
Her parents died in Richland County, Wis- 
consin. When Mr. Fish came to the county 
he settled on 160 acres of wild land, building 



a log house for a dwelling; this has since 
been converted into a kitchen, and a frame 
house has been erected. A grove and an 
orchard have been planted, and all the im- 
provements have been made that are neces- 
sary to comfort and convenience. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fish have had five children born to them 
— Clarissa Elizabeth, wife of John Lamer; 
Charles Mason, Edith Anna, Florence Vel- 
zara and Joim Ed. In politics Mr. Fish 
affiliates with the Republican party, being 
one of the wheel-horses in his township. He 
served in the late civil war, being a member 
of the Third Wisconsin Infantry for thirteen 
months, .of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for seven 
months, and of the Thirty-third Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry for seven months. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Shenandoah Valley, 
Winchester, under General Banks, Cedar 
Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Antietam, 
and Spanish Fort. He was wounded at 
Rappahannock Station in the left iiand, in 
consequence of which he lost his index finger. 
He was also wounded in the forehead by the 
fragment of a shell. Mr. Fish is a member 
of Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. 
M., of Avoca. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, Carthage Lodge, No. 65. He has 
been identified with his township iis justice 
of the peace, as clerk, and as a member of the 
school board. He is at the present time a 
notary public. Mr. Fish is in the prime of 
life, is of a genial disposition, is a good con- 
versationalist, and is one of the leading citizens 
of Clay Township. 



fREDERICKD.ALBERTUS, of Panama, 
is an old resident of Shcll)y County. He 
was born in Saxony, (iermany. May ID, 
1822, and is a sou of Karl and Mary (Obe- 



586 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



richt) Albertus. They were the parents of six 
children — Frederick T.,Charles, Minnie, Gns- 
tavus and John; two of the children are de- 
ceased. Karl Albertus and wife came with 
their family to America in 1843. Frederick 
D. and his sister remained in New York and 
the other members of the family went to 
Wisconsin and settled there. Frederick D. 
worked at his trade, that of a confectioner, 
until July 3, 1844, when he started to "Wis- 
consin. He went by way of the Hudson 
River, Erie Canal and the lakes to Milwau- 
kee, then a very small town. From Milwau- 
kee he walked to Sauk City, a distance of 
twenty-five miles. When he reached the 
Wisconsin Eiver he found that he could not 
cross it. He discovered an old shanty and 
determined to sleep there; he concluded, 
however, to make one more eflbrt, and going 
farther up the river, he spied a hamlet on the 
other side; he called a man who came and 
took him across in a canoe. He finally 
reached his father's home, and they two started 
out prospecting for a place to locate. They 
waded through swamps and forded streams, 
and at last settled on a tract of forest land. 
They each took 120 acres, which had not been 
surveyed by the government; the survey was 
made the next year. Frederick D. worked 
with his father for three years, when they had 
some ditSculty and dissolved partnership. 
He had been married in Germany, June 13, 
1841, but his wife did not come to America 
until 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Albertus are the 
parents of six children — Arthur, Augustus, 
Charles, Frederick, John, and Minnie, wife 
of George Walters; Arthur and Charles are 
deceased. Mrs. Albertns was born in Switz- 
erland, October 15, 1818, and died in Ports- 
mouth, May 30, 1887. Mr. Albertus sold his 
farm of 120 acres in Wisconsin fifteen years 
after he settled there, for $1,700. In 1859 
he bought a farm of eighty acres in the same 



township, and added to it until he owned 290 
acres; he traded this to his son Frederick in 
1874 for 160 acres of land near Shelby, 
Iowa. He had made fine improvements on 
the farm, and had erected a stone residence 
at a cost of $3,000. When he first came to 
Shelby County he bought 420 acres of land 
which he has sold. He now owns 177 acres 
of good land near Portsmouth. Mr. Alber- 
tns continued farming until 1877, when he 
went to Shelby to live. In 1882 he removed 
to Portsmouth and engaged in general mer- 
cantile trade; in 188G he traded his stock for 
160 acres in Cedar County, Nebraska, and 
440 acres in Monona County, Iowa. He still 
owns a residence in Shelby. Mr. Albertus is 
a member of the Evangelical church. Before 
the war he voted with the Democratic party, 
but since that time he has supported the 
issues of the Republican party. He died June 
9,1889,of inflammation of the bowels; was sick 
thirty-six hours; was buried beside his wife 
in Cass Township cemetery. 



EORGE M. FISH is a well-known, 
early settler of Clay Township, having 
come to the county in 1867. He is a 
sou of Mason Fish, deceased, whose biography 
appears upon another page of this history. 
George M. was born in Summit County, 
Ohio, February 16, 1846, and at the age of 
six years his parents removed to Kane County, 
Illinois; in a few years they went to Grant 
County, Wisconsin, and there our subject 
grew to manhood. June 9, 1867, he was 
married to Miss Rachel J. Gray, of La Fayette 
County, Wisconsin, a daughter of Socrates 
and Maria Gray, natives of the State of 
New York. Mrs. Fish was two and a half 
years old when her parents removed to La 
Fayette County, Wisconsin, where she was 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



587 



reared and educated. Her mother died of 
the cholera in 1849, and her father died in 
Clay County, Iowa, in 1881. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Fish came to Shelby County. He 
built a log-house on the land he now owns, 
which he replaced with a frame dwelling in 
1887. He has eighty acres of rich land, forty 
acres in section 7 and forty acres in section 
8. Mr. and Mrs. Fish have two children — 
Stella Maria, wife of D. Lamer, and William 
Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Lamer are the parents 
of two children — David F. and Pearl Irene. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fish have one daughter, Elea- 
nor M., who died in her twelfth year. Polit- 
ically Mr. Fish is allied with the Independent 
party. He was a member of the school board, 
has served as justice of the peace, having tried 
thirty-five cases, giving entire satisfaction, 
and as constable. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and has been 
class-leader of the same, and superintendent 
of the Sabbath-school. Honorable dealing 
and a strict regard for the rights of other 
people have won for Mr. Fish the esteem and 
friendship of all who know him. 

"'•' ^ • 3 '« t ' ^ 



|EORGE H. DOUGHTY, a native of 
Muskingum County, Ohio, was born 
May 2, 1847, and is a son of Allen and 
Lucinda (Honnold) Doughty, natives of Ohio 
and Virginia respectively. He was the si.xth 
of twelve children, and was reared to the life 
of a farmer in his native county, obtaining 
his education principally in the common 
schools. When he reached his majority he 
went west to Edgar County, Illinois, and re- 
mained there one year. Mr. Doughty was 
married October 21, 1869, to Miss Sarah J. 
Tingle, a daughter of Joseph Tingle, Esq. 
She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Sep- 
tember 25, 1850, and died August 11, 1881. 

88 



Two children were born of this niarriage — 
Effie, who died at the age of seventeen years, 
and Warner. Mr. Doughty's second mar- 
riage occurred February 18, 1886, to Miss 
Lois Van Home, daughter of Cornelius Van 
Home, Esq. Slie was born in tlie State of Illi- 
nois, February 15, 1859. One child was born 
of this union — Edith Pearl, born March 6, 
1888, and passed to the other life July 29, 
1888. In 1882 Mr. Doughty came to Iowa, 
and purchased 240 acres of land in Union 
Township, Shelby County, he made many 
valuable improvements upon this land, and 
later made additional purchases, until he now 
owns 320 acres of land, which is under good 
cultivation. He also owns property in the 
village of Earling, and since 1883 has made 
his home there, being among the first to en- 
gage in the grain business in that place. In 
1884 Mr. Doughty bought a half interest in 
the elevator now owned by G. II. Doughty & 
Co., and since that time has devoted the most 
of his time to buying and shipping grain and 
live-stock. He also takes an interest in the 
breeding of high grades of horses. Politically 
he affiliates with the Republican party. He 
is an industrious, enterprising man, and is 
among the leading citizens of the county. 



fRED ALBERTUS is one of the promi- 
nent, enterprising and successful citi- 
^ zens of Cass Township, and has been a 
resident of Shelby County since 1874. He 
was born in Sauk County, Wisconsin, August 
2, 1854, and is a son of Frederick Albertus, 
a leading business man of Panama, Iowa, 
Fred lived with his parents until he was 
twenty years old, being trained to tlie occut 
pation of a farmer, and received liis educa- 
tion in the common schools of Baraboo, Wis- 
consin. As before stated he came to Shelby 



fiSS 



HIHTORY OP SUELDT COUNTY. 



County in 1874, and improved 120 acres of 
land which he afterward sold, going to Los 
Angeles, California. He remained only six 
months and then returned to Shelby County; 
he bought 160 acres in Shelby Township, near 
the village of Shelby, which he soon after ex- 
changed with his father for the homestead 
in Wisconsin. There were 260 acres in the 
home farm, and he lived there four years. In 
January, 1882, Mr. Albertus was married to 
Miss Sarah liagatz, a daughter of Thomas 
llagatz; she was reared in Sauk County,Wis- 
consin. Soon alter their marriage they came 
to Shelby County, and Mr. Albertus opened 
a lumber yard in Portsmouth, which he kept 
for three years, at the end of that time sell- 
ing to Peter Korth. lie then removed to his 
present farm of 235 acres, which is well im- 
proved; there is a good dwelling house, and 
barns, sheds, an orcliard, and a grove. Mr. 
Albertus is one of the stockholders in the 
Panama Bank. Politically he casts his suf- 
frage witli the Republican party. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. He is in the 
prime of life, has traveled much, and is one 
of the first men in the township, financially 
and socially. He and his wife have had born 
to them three children 
Milton George. 



Walter, Arthur and 



fO. CORY has been identified with the 
history of Shelby County since 1876. 
* He was born in Windham County, Con- 
necticut, November 18, 1814, and is a son of 
Rufus and Rachel (Olney) Cory, natives of 
Connecticut. J. O. was live years old when 
his parents removed to Susquehanna County, 
Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, 
lie was reared to the life of a farmer, and re- 
ceived his education in the subscription schools 
of tbqt day. At the age of sixteen he went 



to learn the trade of a hatter at Thompson, 
Windham County, Conjiecticut, and in later 
years worked at his trade in the State of New 
Jersey. In 1836 he went to northern Penn- 
sylvania, and worked at his trade until 1842, 
when he went to Maryland, and settling in 
Ilagerstown, remained there three years, en- 
gaged in his trade. In 1845 he enlisted in 
the United States regular army, First Regi- 
ment United States Dragoons, Colonel Kear- 
ney's Regiment. He took an active part in 
the Mexican war; he served as Orderly under 
General Wool, and in the famous battle of 
Buena Vista he commanded the General's 
escort. Later he crossed over to California, 
and after he was discliarged he engaged in 
gold-mining, being among the earliest miners 
in the gold fields of California. In 1852 he 
returned to the east via the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama to New York. A short time afterward 
he went to Livingston County, Illinois, where 
he was one of the first settlers. He resided 
there until 1876, when he came to Shelby 
County, Iowa. He has 120 acres of finely 
improved land, a good house pleasantly situ- 
ated in the midst of shade and evergreen trees, 
a barn, an orchard and a grove, all betoken- 
ing comfort and plenty. Mr. Cory was mar- 
ried in Livingston County, Illinois, March 7, 
1855, to Miss Ann M. Johnson, a native of 
the State of New York, and a daughter of 
John R. and Elizabeth A. (Henston) Johnson, 
natives of New Jersey. Mrs. Johnson's par- 
ents were among the earliest settlers of Liv- 
ingston County, Illinois, having gone there 
in 1851. Seven children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson— Ed. O., Mary F., 
Jennie, John J., Hattie M., Franklin B. and 
Rachel E. Mr. Cory zealously supports the 
measures of the Democratic party; he has 
served as justice of the peace for eleven years, 
being an impartial judge of all w-ho present 
themselves before him. He bears his seventy- 



BlOGRAPUICAL SKETGUES. 



589 



five years lightly, is well-preserved, genial in 
manner, honorable in business, and highly 
esteemed by all who know him. 

■ "* "% ' i * ' t * A '* ' " ■ 



IIRISTIAN JOHNSON has the honor 
of being the first Dane to settle in Clay 
Township, Shelby County, having come 
there in 1868. lie was born in Denmark, 
October 12, 1839, and attended school in his 
native country until he was fourteen years 
old. He then learned the miller's trade, at 
which he worked until he was twenty-one 
years old. He then bade farewell to his 
native soil and set sail from Hamburg for 
America, landing at New York. From New 
York he went to Davenport, Iowa, and for 
one year worked at various kinds of labor. 
His next move was to Moline, Illinois, in 
which place he worked at inilling and farm- 
ing for five years. At the age of twenty- 
three years Mr. Johnson was married to Miss 
Mary Johnson, a native of Denmark. They 
have had one son born to them — James P. 
Johnson, born in Moline, Illinois, in 186-8. 
They have one adopted daughter — Lydia. 
James P. Johnson married Miss Augusta 
Weien, of Cuppy's Grove, and they have two 
sons — William and Oliver. As before stated, 
Mr, Johnson came to Shelby County in 1868. 
He has bought, improved and sold several 
farms. He has been very influential in in- 
ducing Danish settlers to come to the county, 
and has done much to develop that part of 
the county in which he lives. He owns one 
of the best farms in the township; it con- 
tains 315 acres, has a good dwelling, large 
barns and cribs, and is well arranged. Mr. 
Johnson is engaged in breeding and raising 
Holstein cattle, having the only herd in the 
county. He has thirty head of thorough- 
breds, as good as can be found in western 



Iowa, and fifty head of other high grades. 
He also owns two thoroughbred Percheron 
horses, as tine as can be found in the county. 
In politics Mr. Johnson inclines to the prin-fr 
ciples of the Republican party. He is a lead- 
ing memljer and liberal supporter of the 
Adventist church. He has always taken an 
active interest in educational and religious 
afi'airs, and has given hearty support to all 
enterprises having for their object the ad- 
vancement of the community. 



-ji-if^ 



fRANK THEILE, a lumber dealer of 
Westphalia, was born in Prussia, Octo- 
ber 17, 1851:. He is the son of Henry 
A. and Josephine (Sonderman) Theile, and is 
the youngest of a family of nine children. 
Until he was nineteen years of age he lived 
in his native country, in the village of 
Schreibsbof. There he attended the common 
schools, and also received private instruction. 
At the age of nineteen years he emigrated to 
America and settled in Dubois County, Indi- 
ana, working at the carpenter's trade and 
clerking. He remained there three years, 
and at the end of that time he came to Iowa, 
locating at the German settlement of West- 
phalia. He made this liis home for two 
years, and then went to Kansas, residing 
there two years, employed at his trade. He 
then returned to Westphalia, and has since 
made it his home. In 1884 Mr. Theile came 
to Earling and opened a general stock of 
merchandise. He conducted this business 
until 1886, when he sold the stock and 
entered into partnership with Michael Wil- 
werding, in the lumber and coal business, 
under the firm name of Theile & Wil word- 
ing. The firm do some contracting, and their 
annual business amounts to from $12,000 to 
$15,000. Mr. Theile was united in marriage, 



590 



n I STORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



February 20, 1884, to Elizabeth Wilwerding, 
daughter of Michael and Kate (Keemmer) 
Wilwerding, a native of Minnesota. Mr. 
and Mrs. Theile are members of the Roman 
Catholic church. Mrs. Theile is proprietress 
of one of the millinery stores of Earling, and 
carries a well-assorted stock of goods. Mr. 
Theile's political sentiments find expression 
in the principles of the Democratic party. 



fREDERICK ANDREW MILLER.— 
This substantial and enterprising farmer 
and breeder of fine live-stock is widely 
and favorably known. The principal feature 
of his business is that of breeding thorough- 
bred Poland-China hogs, he being the pro- 
prietor of the Silver Ridge herd of Poland 
Chinas. He has been a very successful breeder 
of these valuable swine for fifteen years, but 
did not make them a specialty until two 
years ago. His herd now consists of over 
lOOheadof registered animals, and is becoming 
extensively known and largely patronized. 
Mr. Miller's farm of 160 acres in section 15, 
Shelby Township, is well adapted naturally 
for this class of stock, and the excellent ar- 
rangement of sheds and barns contributes to 
make it a model stock-farm, with facilities 
for breeding 200 head per year. He has a 
tine residence of ten rooms, delightfully lo- 
cated on the border of a beautiful grove; it 
was erected in 1885 at a cost of $2,500. 
Frederick A. Miller first saw the light near 
Quincy, Adams County, Hlinois, February 5, 
1843, and is the eldest of a family of fifteen 
children, of whom fourteen grew to maturity, 
and thirteen are now living. His parents 
were Jacob S. and Armilda (Edwards) Miller. 
The father was a native of Somerset County, 
Pennsylvania, born October 12, 1812; his 
(death occurred May 21, 1876, in Poweshiek 



County, Towa. The mother was born in Pike 
County, Missouri, April 17, 1825, her parents 
having emigrated from Vermont at an early 
day. She is still living in Norton County, 
Kansas. Of the family, one sister, Emeline, 
wife of Thomas Bacon, resides in Shelby 
County; Angeline Sheley lives in Poweshiek 
County; Jacob S. died at his home in Ringgold 
County; Solomon C. and George H. live in 
Nebraska; Luther M. lives in New Mexico; 
Joseph M., Daniel H., Stephen T., Grant, and 
Anastasia Sheley reside in Norton County, 
Kansas. Benjamin F., John and Armilda 
Raabe live in Charles Mix County, Dakota. 
Jesse died at three years of age. In 1850 
the familv settled in Mahaska County, Iowa, 
where they resided eight years, removing at 
the end of that time to Poweshiek County; 
there they continued to live until the father 
died. When living in that county Frederick 
became nineteen years of age, and his father 
save him his time, as he did all his sons at 
that age. He then started out in life for 
himself. He worked by the month for his 
future father-in-law, Samuel Cofljn, for two 
years. At the end of this time he was mar- 
ried to Miss Susan Coffin, January 24, 1864. 
She was born in Mahaska County, January 
13, 1847, her parents being Samuel and 
Sophia (Fisler) Coffin, who were natives of 
Indiana, and pioneers of Mahaska County, 
making that their residence during life. The 
mother died January 24, 1850, and the father 
died May 6, 1880. After his marriage Mr. 
Miller rented land in Mahaska and Poweshiek 
counties, and in 1871 he came to Shelby 
County, selecting his present home. He 
bought 240 acres, paying $6.25 per acre. Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four chil- 
dren — Edwin Martin, born January 1, 1865, 
who married Mary Elizabeth Moore; Fred 
Tilman, born November 15, 1866; Olive, born 
February 10, 1876, and Daisy May, born 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



591 



December 22, 1884. They suffered the loss of 
one bright little boy of five years, Chester A., 
born September 10, 1881, and died January 5, 
1886. Mr. Miller is a director of the Shelby 
District Agricultural Society. He has served 
as township assessor, and as township trustee 
and as school treasurer. Politically he adheres 
to the principals of the Republican party, 
and takes an active interest in all public 
matters. lie belongs to Silentia Lodge, No. 
371, A. F. & A. M., of Shelby. 

— "-■ ^: " i -g-'- — 



^EORGE JAMES, merchant and post 
master of Elkhorn, is one of the well- 
known citizens of Clay Township. He 
was born in Denmark, December 7, 1844, and 
attended school until he was fourteen years 
of age; he then served an apprenticeship at 
tlie tailor's trade, and worked at the business 
until he was twenty-one years old. At that 
age he sailed from Hamburg for America, 
landing in Quebec, Canada; thence he came 
to Chicago, Illinois, and thence to Rock Island 
County, Illinois, and there worked at his trade 
one year. At the end of that time he went 
to Henry County, Illinois, and remained there 
seven or eight years, working at his trade. 
In 1875 he came to Clay Township, Shelby 
County, Iowa, having bought land two years 
previously; at that time there was not a house 
north of the creek in the east part of the town- 
ship. He settled in section 12, on 100 acres, 
which he improved in good style; he also 
owned forty acres in section 1. Mr. James 
lived on this place until 1883, when he en- 
gaged in the mercantile trade at Elkhorn. 
He had a partner for eighteen inonths. Nils 
Larson, and attheend of that time he Ijougiit 
him out. Mr. James carries a well-selected 
stock of dry-goods, boots, siioes, groceries and 
queen's- ware. He is a popular mercliant, hon- 



orable in business, and is well worthy of the 
large patronage he receives. He was appointed 
postmaster in 1884, and is a model officer. 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. He has served five years as township 
clerk, and eight years as township trustee, 
with credit to himself. He is one of the lead- 
ing members of the Lutheran church, and is 
treasurer of the society. Mr. James was 
married in Henry County, Illinois, in 1870, 
to Anna M. Johnson, a native of Denmark. 
They are the parents of seven children — Anna 
M. K., Johan P. C, Lizzie, James Peter E., 
Walter, Dagmar and Clara. 



. ; , t S » ^ i-«« 




ATHIAS P. KUIIL, a native of Fond 
du Lac, "Wisconsin, was born July 
^^^ 15, 1853, and is the son of Peter 
and Mary C. (Finkin) Kuhl, natives of Ger- 
many. He is one of a family of ten children, 
eight of whom grew to maturity — John K., 
a half brother; Anna, M. P., Margaretta, 
Angeline, Amalia, Josepli P. and Nicholas. 
M. P. was three years of age when his par- 
ents removed to Mills County, Iowa, and set- 
tled on a farm on which he "was reared. He 
obtained a very limited education in the com- 
mon schools, but the cultivation of a natu- 
rally keen observation has enabled him to 
attend to any business that may devolve upon 
him. He remained at home until he had 
reached his twenty-sixth year, and then was 
married August 23, 1879, to Miss Allie Mar- 
tin, a daugiiter of Robert A. and Phidelia 
(Porter) Martin, natives of Athens County, 
Ohio, who emigrated to Mills County, Iowa, 
in 187G. Mrs. Kuhl was born December 7, 
1801, and is one of a family of live children. 
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kuhl 
continued to reside in Mills (Jonnty for one 
year, and then came to Shelby County and 



592 



BISTORT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



settled in Lincoln Township, remaining there 
two years; then tliej removed to Earling, 
and Mr. Kuhl engaged in the saloon business 
for a short time. He soon sold this and pur- 
chased a livery stock, and later a barn, and 
now conducts a profitable livery business. 
In connection with this he also buys and 
ships live-stock of all kinds. He owns two 
pieces of property in Earling, and an interest 
in a farm in Mills Cou!ity, Iowa. Politically 
Mr. KuliTs convictions are voiced in the 
Democratic party. He and his wife are 
members of the iioman Catholic church. 



■^Mf- 



J. KORTH, the popular pioneer mer- 
chant of Portsmouth, established liim- 
' self in business in tiie fall of 1882, 
and sold the first goods in the new town. He 
carries a full stock of dry-goods, staple and 
fancy groceries, and clothing, and does a 
business from $17,000 to §20,000 per annum. 
By his genial, affable manners, and strictly 
honorable dealing he has built up an exten- 
sive business. P. J. Korth was born near 
Madison, Wisconsin, April 1, 1857, and is 
the son of Jacob and Mary Anna (Soentgen) 
Korth, who were born near Cologne, Ger- 
many, and came to America and settled in 
Wisconsin in 1852. The family lived there 
ten years and then removed to Keokuk 
County, Iowa, and made that tlieir home 
until 1876, when they came to Shelby County. 
The family consisted of the parents, five sons 
and three daughters. P. J. Korth was reared 
to the life of a farmer, and obtained his edu- 
cation in the common schools. At the age 
of twenty years he secured a situation as 
clerk with E. C. Clapp, of Shelby, with whom 
he remained one year. He then entered the 
employ of W. F. Cleveland, remaining with 
him two or three years. In 1882 he came 



to Portsmouth and opened his stock of gen- 
eral mercliandise. Mr. Korth was married 
February 1, 1881, to Miss Mary Leinen, a 
daughter of Matthias and Mary (Buch) Lei- 
nen, natives of Germany. Mrs. Korth was 
born, reared and educated in Keokuk County. 
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Korth, both of whom are deceased — Leo J. 
died at the age of one year and eleven months, 
and Zeono J. died at the age of two years 
and eight months. Mr. Korth is one of the 
wheel-horses of the Democratic party in Cass 
Township. He is a member of the Roman 
Catholic church. February 14, 1886, he was 
appointed postmaster of Portsmouth. He is 
one of Shelby County's honored and esteemed 
citizens. 



►^«f*|^ 



|OBERT FORD, a native of Bristol, Eng- 
land, was born November 18, 1830, and 
is the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Da- 
vis) Ford. He was reared in his native city 
and attended the common schools until his 
fourteenth year. Then, according to the cus- 
tom, he was apprenticed to learn the black- 
smith's trade, and served for seven years. At 
the end of that time he was employed by 
Statherd, Staughter & Co., with whom he re- 
mained six years, working in the locomotive 
and marine engine shops at Bristol. Mr. 
Ford's father was foreman twenty years in the 
shops in which he learned his trade. After 
leaving the engine works in Bristol he went 
to London, and was there employed in the 
Enfield government works, the shops in which 
a rifle is turned out every two and a half 
minutes. He served the government for 
nine and a half years, with tlie exception 
of a short time when he was employed on 
the construction of tlie Great Ea.stern, 
the largest vessel afloat. In 1866 he emi- 



BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCHES. 



593 



grated with his family to America, landing 
July 4; they remained a few weeks in 
Brooklyn, and then went to New York, Mr. 
Ford finding employment in the boiler works 
of Dawn & Nichols; there he remained three 
years, and in 1869 he came west and traveled 
through several States and Territories; he 
finally located in Utah Territory, at Ogden, 
and conducted a business of his own for a year 
and a half; he then went to work for the Union 
Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, and 
after six months he entered the employ of the 
Consolidated Company of San Francisco, en- 
gaged in opening coal mines. In six months 
he came to Omaha, and worked on the great 
bridge spanning the Mississippi River at this 
point. In 1871 he came to Grove Township, 
and purchased a farm in section 7, which he 
opened and placed under cultivation. He 
also bought a blacksmith shop, and worked at 
his trade for a short time, and then he erected 
a shop on his farm, and continued to conduct 
his trade and cultivate his land. A part of 
his farm lies in the town of Manteno, and a 
portion is divided into twenty-eight lots. In 
1882 Mr. Ford came to Earling, and since 
that time has made this village his home. 
Here he erected a good residence and a black- 
smith shop, and now does all kinds of smith's 
work, making a specialty of machine work; 
he also handles all kinds of agricultural im- 
plements and harness. He lias invented and 
patented three different articles — barb-wire, 
cultivator shovels, and automatic waofon- 
brakes, all betokening the skill of the in- 
ventor. Politically Mr. P^ord is a Republican, 
he has been a member of the school board, and 
in 1888 he was a delegate to the State Con- 
vention. He was married July 18, 1.850, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Adams) Nicholas, who was born in the town 
of Cornwall, England, September 24, 1830_ 
They are the parents of seven children — Rob- 



ert H., "William N., Thomas, John, Alfred, 
Elizabeth (deceased), and Nellie (deceased). 
Mr. and Mrs. Ford are members of the Latter- 
day Saints church, Mr. Ford having been a 
minister for a number of years. 



,yjETER KORTH is a member of the firm 
4 of Korth & Wehr, one of the leading 
business firms of Portsmouth, dealers in 
lumber, coal, lime, grain and agricultural im- 
plements. In 1884 he bought Fred Alber- 
tus's interest in tlie lumber firm of Hohrman 
& Albertus, and so tlio firm was Dohrman & 
Korth from the fall of 1884 until the fall of 
1886, when Nicholas "Wehr purchased Mr. 
Henry Dohrman's interest, since which time 
the firm is known as Korth & "Wehr. The 
firm keep a large stock of goods, and by uni- 
formly fair and courteous dealing they have 
built up an extensive trade; they are one of 
the most solid firms of Portsmouth. Peter 
Korth has been a resident of Shelby County 
since 1875; he was born near Cologne, Ger- 
many, April 13, 1847, and is the oldest son 
of Jacob and Mary Anna (Soentgen) Korth. 
He was five years old when the fainily emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Dane 
County, Wisconsin. They resided there for 
ten years and most of this time in the town 
of Cross Plaines, where Peter was educated 
in Catholic and common schools. In 1862 
they removed to Keokuk County, Iowa. He 
passed his youth in the occupations usually 
assigned a farmer's son; he resided in Keo- 
kuk County with the exception of two years 
which he spent in "Washington County, Iowa. 
In 1875 he came to Shelby County and set- 
tled in Cass Township. He bought eighty 
acres of land in section 14 and added to it 
until he had 195 acres, well improved. In 
1884 he sold his farm to Fred Albertus and 



594 



HISTORY OF SUELBr COUNTY. 



came to Portsmouth and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. Peter Korth is one of the lead- 
ing Democrats of Cass Township; he was 
elected justice of the peace in November, 
1876, and has served until the present time, 
dispensing justice to all who were called be- 
fore his court in a manner worthy of a judge; 
he was elected township trustee in 1878 and 
served one year; in 1879 he was elected town- 
ship clerk and served seven years, and in No- 
vember, 1888, he was elected again for the 
offices of justice of the peace and township 
clerk for a term of two years. In 1885 he 
was elected mayor of Portsmouth, and then 
served three years on the town council, and 
in the spring of 1889 was elected to serve 
three years more; he has also been elected as 
a member of the school board of the inde- 
pendent district of Portsmouth for the term 
of three years, and has filled all these offices 
to the credit of himself and the satisfaction 
of the public. He is a member of the Roman 
Catholic church, and when the church was 
first built east of Portsmouth he gave five 
acres of ground toward it. Peter Korth was 
married in Keokuk County, Iowa, November 
3, 1870, to Anna Rosalia Leinen, a daughter 
of Mathias and Anna Mary Leinen. They 
are the parents of nine children — Mary, John, 
Anna, John L., Gertie, Frank, Peter, Leo and 
Jacob B. John, the oldest son, died when he 
was two years old. Mr. Korth has one of the 
finest residences in the town of Portsmouth, 
and on a fine location surrounded by shade 
and evergreen trees. 

■ ■I »l ? . 3 i ) f . V ii m 



fACOB KORTH, Jr., proprietor of the 
hardware store in Portsmouth, Iowa, es- 
tablished the business in 1887. He 
carries a good stock of shelf and heavy 
liardware; his store-room is large and well 



arranged for his stock. He has a profitable 
trade, and by his honorable dealings and 
genial and cordial manners is fast increasing 
it. Jacob Korth was born in Keokuk County, 
Iowa, May 8, 1864, and is a son of Jacob 
Korth, Sr. When he was eleven years of 
age his parents removed to Cass Township. 
He was reared to the life of a farmer, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of 
Keokuk and Shelby counties. At the age of 
seventeen years he engaged in clerking for 
his brother, P. J. Korth, and remained in his 
employ for three years. He then obtained a 
position in a general store in Council Bluffs, 
which he held for two years. He then re- 
turned to Portsmouth aTid again was engaged 
with his brother as clerk, lie remained with 
him until he engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness on his own account in 1887. His ex- 
cellent business habits and his extensive 
acquaintance are fast building him up a lively 
and paying trade. Mr. Korth has been twice 
married; September 14, 1885, he was mar- 
ried to Janey V. Harter, who died February 
9, 1887. He was married to his ])resent wife, 
Susan Ilammes, April 10, 1888. In politi- 
cal thought and action Mr. Korth is Demo- 
cratic. He is a member of the town council. 
He a member of the Roman Catholic church, 
and is one of the popular citizens of Ports- 
mouth. 



H^f-I^^ 



W. MORGAN, a farmer and stock- 
raiser of Monroe Township, was born 
in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
February 14, 1848. He is a son of John 
Morgan, a native of Pennsylvania, who traces 
his ancestry to the Welsh. His mother, 
Nancy (Cannon) Morgan, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and was of Irish lineage. J. W. 
remained on his native soil until he was fif- 



BIOGRAPIIIGAL SKETCHES. 



595 



teen years old; tlie family then removed to 
Livingston County, Illinois, where he grew 
to manhood, fitting himself for the occupa 
tion of a farmer. His parents lived in Illi- 
nois until death. January 20, 1870, Mr. 
Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Jane 
Chapman, a daughter of Sonon and Elnura 
(Adams) Chapman, natives of Huron County, 
Ohio. Mrs. Morgan was reared and edu- 
cated in Livingston County, Illinois. In 
1875 Mr. Morgan removed to Shelby County 
and bought IGO acres of wild land. He has 
added 160 acres to his first purchase, and has 
brought it to a high state of cultivation. He 
has a nice residence, pleasantly situated, and 
surrounded with shade trees. He has a good 
barn, cribs, stock-scales, and all the conven- 
iences for carrying on farming. Mr. Morgan 
makes a specialty of raising and feeding 
stock, and has been very successful in that 
enterprise. Four children have been born to 
Mr. Morgan and wife — Orvil O., J. Wylder, 
Frank S. and Jessie G. Mr. Morgan is one 
of the wheel-horses of the Republican party 
in Monroe Township, and has served five 
years as clerk, and in other township ofiices, 
with credit to himself. He is a member of 
Walnut Lodge, No. 327, L O. O. F. 



iICHAEL HAMMES.— The Ports- 
mouth Livery, Feed and Sale Stable 
is owned and controlled by Michael 
Hammes. This barn was built in 1882, but 
was not bought by the present proprietor 
until 1888. He keeps a large number of good 
driving horses and good carriages. He is 
doing an extensive business, and is one of the 
popular business men. Michael Hammes 
was born in Germany, May 10, 1865. When 
he was seven years old his parents deter- 
mined to try their fortunes in the new world, 




so they emigrated to Keokuk County; there 
Michael grew to manhood, spending his 
j'outh on the farm and in attending school. 
December 1, 1885, he was married to Bertha 
Goltner, and by this union two children have 
been born — Willie and an infant son. In 
politics Mr. Hammes finds the expression of 
his principles in the Democratic party. He 
is a young man, jovial and genial to all, and 
deserves the popular regard and esteem in 
which he is held. 



fOHN H. NEFF was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, May 20, 1838, and is a 
sou of Samuel and Harriet (Ham mitt) 
Neff, natives of Virginia and Ohio respect- 
ively. The Nefts were of Hollandish ances- 
try, and the Hammitts were of French ex- 
traction. When John H. was eleven years 
old his parents removed to Bureau County, 
Illinois, and there he grew to maturity — 
being trained to agricultural pursuits, and 
receiving his education in the common 
schools. During the great Rebellion, at the 
call for 300,000 more men, he enlisted Au- 
gust 13, 1862, in the Ninety-third Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, Company 1, and served 
until the close of the war. He was in the 
battles of Jackson, Mississippi; Champion 
Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, Tiiscunibia, 
Mission Ridge, Decatur, Alabama; Dalton, 
Georgia Altoona Pass, Macon, Georgia; Co- 
lumbia, South Carolina; i'entonville, Nortii 
Carolina. Mr. Neff was present at the grand 
review at Wasliington, D. C, and had marched 
during his service 7,700 miles. He was 
mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, June 
23, 1865, and honorably discharged at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, July 6, 1865, and then 
returned to Bureau County, Illinois. In 
1861 Mr. Nefi" was married to Miss Sarah 



596 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Wyatt, who was born and reared in Dela- 
ware; she died in 1862. He was married 
September 1, 1867, to Miss Phoebe A. Crow, 
of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, a daughter 
of John and Maria (Cline) Crow. They re- 
sided in Livingston County, Illinois, until 
1873, when they came to Shelby County, and 
settled on 160 acres of wild land. Mr. Neff 
has made many improvements upon his 
place, and has rendered it one of the most 
desirable farms of the township. He has a 
comfortable dwelling, good bams, stock- 
scales, and has planted a grove and an or 
chard. He owns 251 acres; 160 are in the 
home place; forty-one are in section 25, and 
iifty-one are in section 30, Clay Township. 
The home farm is in Monroe Township, sec- 
tion 26. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are the parents 
of four children — Lewis J., a successful 
teacher; Mamie J., John O. and George E. 
In politics Mr. Neff supports the issues of 
the Republican party. He has served as 
township assessor, as constable, and as a 
member of the school board. He is a char- 
ter member of the G. A. R., John A. Dix 
Post, No. 480, of Walnut. 



[AVID W. GREEN is a native of the 
State that has furnished so many sub- 
stantial citizens to Shelby County; that 
is, Pennsylvania. He was born in Cumber- 
land County, August 7, 1844, and is a son of 
John and Elizabeth (Allen) Green, also natives 
of Pennsylvania. David was four years old 
when his parents removed to Johnson County, 
Iowa, which is still their home. He passed 
his youth upon a farm, and obtained his 
education in the common schools of the day. 
During the late civil war he enlisted in the 
Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- 
pany G, and served four months in the west- 



ern army, and was honorably discharged. 
Mr. Green was united in marriage September 
13, 1868, to Miss Margaret Alloway, born in 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Ander- 
son) Green. After his marriage Mr. Green 
resided in Johnson County until 1881, when 
he came to Shelby County and bought his 
present farm; it was wild land, but he has 
placed it under cultivation and erected good 
buildings. He has a modern windmill, and 
many conveniences for farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. and Mrs. Green have had born 
to them four children — Lizzie May, wife of 
William Horton; William Henry, lona Grace 
and John Irvin. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Church of God, he serving as one 
of the ruling elders. In politics he supports 
the principles of the Republican party. 



' S"S ' | '*'~ 



[[cj^HOMAS McCOID, now living on sec- 
tion 17, Grove Township, is one of the 
pioneer settlers of Shelby County, hav- 
ing come here in March, 1851. He was born 
in Muskingum County, Ohio, Jul}' 9, 1822, 
and is tiie son of Nathaniel and Mary (Sarchet) 
McCoid. The father was born in Scotland, 
May 12, 1793, and died October 21, 1870, 
at his home in Pottawattamie County. He 
crossed the ocean when quite young and first 
settled in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg; he 
afterward removed to Ohio, thence to Indiana, 
and thence to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. 
Mrs. McCoid was born August 8, 1802, 
on Guernsey Island, of French parentage; 
she died February 28, 1861, at the old home- 
stead in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. They 
were both members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Thomas McCoid, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, left his father's home at 
the age of eighteen years to do for himself; 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



597 



for six years lie worked by tlie month on a 
farm in Indiana. In 1850 lie came to Kanes- 
ville, now Council Blufts, and March 20, 
1851, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Syntha Fonts, in Harrison County. After 
his marriage he settled at Galland's Grove, 
Shelby County, but as the survey had not 
then been made it was not known which 
county he had settled in. He first bought a 
squatter's claim and in a short time sold it. 
He entered 160 acres of government land, 
which he improved and made his home. Mr. 
and Mrs. McCoid bad two children born to 
them — Mary Ann, wife of T. E. Fowler, and 
Martha, who died in infancy. Mrs. Syntha 
McCoid died October 30, 1855, at the age of 
twenty-seven years. She was a native of 
Indiana, and a member of the Christian 
church. Mr. McCoid was again married 
October 4, 1858, in Shelby Countj', to Miss 
Lorinda J. Mcintosh. By this union two 
children were born — James (deceased), and 
George W., a merchant of Panama, Iowa. 
Mrs. Lorinda McCoid passed from this life 
December 23, 1872, at the age of thirty-one 
years. Mr. McCoid's estate covers 456 acres 
of good land; he has been an extensive farmer 
and stock-raiser. He is inclined to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



-♦■" g ' 3 >« S - 



[EORGE W. McCOID, dealer in general 
merchandise and agricultural imple- 
ments, Panama, Iowa, was born January 
12, 1861. He is the son of Thomas and Lo- 
rinda (Mcintosh) McCoid, who are the par- 
ents of two children — James (deceased), and 
the subject of this notice. George remained 
under the parental roof until he was twenty 
years of age. He attended school in J.,ogan 
for five years before he was twenty years old, 



after which he devoted himself to a^ri- 
cultural pursuits for two years. He then 
entered Miller's Mercantile College, which 
he attended six months, being graduated 
from that institution in the spring of 1882. 
The school is now known as Pierce's Busi- 
ness College. While in Logan Mr. McCoid 
learned the miller's trade. After leavinsr 
school he returned to the farm for one sum- 
mer, and then purchased the interest of Mr. 
Wheeler in the firm of Wheeler & Kleeb, 
Panama. This business was established in 
1882 by Wheeler & Kleeb. Mr. McCoid 
sold his interest to Williams »fc Company in 

1884, and in 1885 he bought the entire busi- 
ness. He carries a stock of $12,500, and 
does a thriving business. Mr. McCoid was 
married to Miss Emma J. Purdon, May 19, 

1885. She was born in Athens County, Ohio, 
July 8, 1861, and received a very liberal 
education. Mr. and Mrs. McCoid are the 
parents of two children — Lorinda, born March 
23, 1886, and Tressy G., born February 2, 
1888. Mrs. Emma J. McCoid is a member 
of the Christian church, having joined at 
Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1876. 




EORGECRANDALL,farmerand stock- 
raiser, section 26,Washington Township, 
has been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County since 1852. He is a native of 
Illinois, born in Hancock County, September 
9, 1843, and is the elder son of Benjamin 
and Rebecca (Lemons) Crandall. Benjamin 
Crandall was a native of Ontario County, 
New York, of English and German ancestry. 
His parents, John and Magdalene (Wood) 
Crandall, were both natives of the United 
States. When he was a child his parents 
emigrated to Ohio, and there ho grew to 
manhood. They afterward followed the fron- 



598 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



tier, and went to Missouri first, and then to 
Hancock County, Illinois; thence they came 
to Iowa. After his marriage Benjamin Cran- 
dall settled in Shelby County, having entered 
a tract of government land, upon which he 
passed the remainder of his days. He and 
his wife had born to them seven children, 
five of whom lived to be grown, and three of 
whom survive — George, Daniel and John. 
Benjamin Crandall died March 27, 1872, and 
his wife, Rebecca Crandall, passed away Jan- 
uary 9, 1884. George Crandall was reared 
to farm life and obtained his education in the 
subscription and district schools of that day. 
He lived with his parents until he reached 
his majority, when he worked at various 
occupations until he purchased his present 
farm in 1870. He improved the land and 
made additions to it until he now owns 430 
acres in a high state of cultivation. Mr. 
Crandall was married December 12, 1874, to 
Miss Jenette Martin, a daughter of James 
and Alvira (Spencer) Martin, early settlers 
of Illinois, who were natives of the State 
of New York. Mrs. Crandall was born in 
Whiteside County, Illinois. By this marriage 
four children were born — Maud (deceased). 
Lulu, Ada (deceased), and Eugene. Mr. 
Crandall is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 
321, A. F. & A. M. He has served as town- 
ship clerk and trustee, and as a member of 
the school board. He casts his vote with the 
Democratic party. 



►iwF. 



I LI E. HOOVER began his residence in 
Shelby County in 1878. He was born 
in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, 
November 18, 1848, and is a son of David 
and Sarah (Alloway) Hoover, natives of 
Pennsylvania. He was a l>abe of eleven 
months when his parents pushed to the front- 



ier and settled in Johnson County, Iowa. 
There he grew to manhood, being trained to 
the duties of a farmer's son, and receiving the 
limited advantages oflFered by the pioneer 
schools. December 7, 1871, he was married 
to Miss Mattie A. Green, a native of Cum- 
berland County, Pennsylvania. She was an 
infant when her parents, David and Rachel 
(Peffer) Green, removed to Johnson County, 
Iowa. The year of his marriage Mr. Hoover 
removed to Cass County, Iowa, and remained 
there six years; in 1878 he came to Shelby 
County and settled on 160 acres, which form 
a part of his present farm. He has made ad- 
ditions to his first purchase until he now 
owns 240 acres, in an advanced state of cul- 
tivation. He has a fine house, and has planted 
a grove and an orchard; his barn is one of 
the largest and most substantial in the town- 
ship. He devotes himself exclusively to 
farming and stock-raising, and has been very 
successful. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are the 
parents of five children — Irvin, Elbert, Clin- 
ton, Ross and Walter. Mr. Hoover is in- 
clined to the principles of the Republican 
party. He is a member of the Evangelical 
church, and of the Pioneer Class of the town- 
ship, being steward of the same. He is strictly 
honorable in business, and has the confidence 
of all with whom he has any dealings. 



AMUEL DAGGET is an old resident of 
Shelby County, and one of the first set- 
tlers in Washington Township, having 
gone there in 1874. He is a native of Indi- 
ana, born January 10, 1831. He is a son of 
John and Sallie (Chopen) Dagget, who were 
the parents of eleven children, nine of whom 
arc living. Samuel was the oldest of tliis 
family and remained at home until his mar- 
riage to Mrs. Mary Black, which occurred in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



599 



September, 1852. At the time he was living 
in Illinois, and remained there, engaged in 
farming until 1S59, when he made a trip to 
Oregon; he staid there four years, mining 
and teaming. From Oregon he went to the 
Idaho mines, and lived there live years, 
mining and teaming. While they were liv- 
ing in Idaho City Mrs. Dagget died, Febru- 
ary 10, 1867. She left one child— Eliza, the 
wife of Thomas Grott. By her first mar- 
riage she had one daughter — Cynthia Ann, wife 
of Mr. Preston, of Galesburg, Illinois. June 
16, 1868, Mr. Dagget left Idaho City for 
Illinois, with a fine span of horses, and ar- 
rived at his destination August 11, the same 
summer. September 20, 1870, Mr. Dagget 
was again married, to Mrs. Nancy Jane Kin- 
mer. By this union one child was born — 
Luella. Mrs. Kinmer had three daughters by 
her first liusband — Cora, Mary and Susan, all 
of whom are married. In February, 1874, 
Mr. Dagget removed his family to Shelby 
County. He first bought 120 acres of wild 
land, and afterward added eighty more to his 
place. He carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. His political inclinations are 
toward the Kepubliean party. Mrs. Dagget 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. They are highly respected citizens, 
always willing to contribute liberally to any 
worthy cause, and to do anything in their 
power to alleviate suffering and distress. 



PRITCHARD is one of the promi- 
nent agriculturists and stockmen of 
^"^ Monroe Township, Shelby County. He 
was born in the north of Ireland, October 14, 
1846, and is a son of Henry and Mary B. 
Pritchard. He was a lad of eighteen years 
when his parents sailed from the Emerald 
Isle for the new world. They located in 



Henry County, Illinois, and there our subject 
grew to manhood, receiving the training of a 
farmer's son, and obtaining his education in 
the common schools. Mr. Pritchard was mar- 
ried when twenty-three years old to Miss 
Mary A. Brown. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. 
Pritchard came to Shelby County, and since 
that time have made it their home. They 
were among the early settlers in the neigh- 
borhood. Mr. Pritchard bought 120 acres, 
and has since added to it until he now has 
one of the finest farms in the township. His 
dwelling is a very substantial house built in 
the shape of a double L, in modern style. 
He has a large barn and numerous other 
buildings for stock and grain. He makes a 
specialty of Hereford cattle and has the only 
herd of thoroughbreds in Shelby County. He 
also has large numbers of other high grades 
of live-stock. Mr. Pritchard is in partner- 
ship with Mr. J. Brindley in the raising of 
draft-horses. Mr. Pritchard affiliates with 
the Republican party, and although not an 
aspirant to office he has served as trcijs- 
urer of the township and on the school board 
for several years. He is a member of the 
A. O. U. W., of Walnut. His upright, busi- 
ness habits and other excellent qualities have 
won for him a standing among the first citi- 
zens of Monroe Township. 



A ' l i * S * ^ '" " - 

fF. BAIRD, a prominent citizen of Cass 
Township, has been a resident uf the 
* county since 1880. He is a native of 
Iowa, born in Davis County, September 15, 
1853. He is a son of James and Mary 
(Carlton) Baird. In 1804 the father went to 
California and was there murdered for money, 
thus leaving the mother with a family of 
young children to support. J. F. was reared 
in Davis County until his thirteenth year. 



600 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



At the tender age of ten years he went out to 
work to assist his mother in supporting the 
family, and although a child he was able to 
render her much valuable assistance. IJe 
obtained his education by attending school in 
the winter months and reading and studying 
at home. In 1873 lie went to Logan County, 
Illinois, and remained tliere seven years. He 
was married January 24, 1878, to Miss Mary 
Malinda Ann Copeland, a daughter of Abner 
Copeland. In 1880 they returned to Shelby 
County and bought 160 acres of wild land 
one-half mile north of Portsmouth. Mr. 
Baird has erected a comfortable cottage, has 
planted a grove and orchard, and made numer- 
ous improvements. He devotes liis time 
exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and 
all his surroundings indicate thrift and pros- 
perity. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have had born 
to them four children — Lena Maud, Clara 
Ethel, Cora Jane, and John Abner. Cora 
Jane died August 21, 1885. Mr. Baird is a 
staunch and leading Democrat of the town- 
ship. He has served as township trustee and 
as a member of the school board with credit 
to himself. He is an open, plain-spoken 
man, and has won the regard of his neighbors 
and acquaintances. 



4, - I"! ' a) 

fM. LAWKENCE is a well-known and 
useful citizen of Cass Township, and has 
* been identified with the interests of 
Shelby County since 1879. He was born in 
Tennessee, October 28, 1844, and is a son of 
Thomas and Nancy (McMurray) Lawrence. 
He was an infant when his parents removed 
from Tennessee to Georgia, where he grew 
to manhood, and received a common-school 
education. During the late civil war he 
served in the Thirty-ninth Georgia Volunteer 
Infantry for three years under General Bragg 



and General Pemberton. He was at Vicks- 
burg most of the time during the siege of that 
city. After the close of the war he removed 
with his parents to Sangamon County, Illi- 
nois. March 1, 1876, lie was married to Miss 
Anna Banerley, a daughter of Frederick and 
Catherine (Meyers) Banerley. Mrs. Lawrence 

was born in Illinois, and at the age of 

years her parents went to Sangamon County, 
where she was reared and educated. In 1879 
they came to Iowa, and bought land in Shelby 
XJounty. Mr. Lawrence now owns 200 acres 
of well-improved land; he has a good dwelling 
just one mile from the town of Portsmouth. 
He has some good stock on his farm, and 
some especially fine horses. In his jjolitical 
opinions he agrees with the Democratic party. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are the parents of 
four children — Thomas Ed, Samuel M., David 
F. and Olive Agnes. 



■^«f- 



H. GRAVES, a retired citizen of Pan- 
ama, has been a resident of Shelby 
* County, Iowa, since 1882. He was 
born in Onondaga County, New York, April 
13, 1818, and is the son of Waters and Han- 
nah (Chapel) Graves. The father was a native 
of Massachusetts, and the mother was born in 
Connecticut. They had eigiit children born 
to them — Salinda (deceased), Waters (de- 
ceased), Z. II., John W., Sheldon, Theoron, 
Mur, Welsie Ann, the wife of Z. II. Bartlett. 
By a previous marriage Mr. Graves had nine 
children — Fannie, Elihu,Rasius, Polly, Olive, 
Esther, Abigail, Almyroii and Wells. Z. H. 
Graves, the subject of this notice, was married 
to Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of John and 
Elizabeth (Gressman) Fish, April 29, 1865. 
Mrs. Graves is a native of the State of New 
York; she was born in Onondaga County, 
October 5, 1833. The result of this marriage 




.fk.MJrf^tZ 



JilOGHAPUWAL SKETVUE8. 



603 



lias been three children — WatersB.jborn April 
29, 18G7, and died April 9, 1880; Lizzie I., 
the wife of Nicholas F. Burks, born July 19, 
1870; and Theoron B., born February 7, 1875. 
Mrs. Graves had one child by her first hus- 
band, Elmer E. Kusser, a resident of Dunlap, 
born May 18, 1861. Mr. Graves had one 
child by his first marriage; his name was Seth, 
now deceased. Mr. Graves has served as a 
justice of the peace one term. Politically he 
is inclined to the principles of the Ilepublican 
party. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 



MM ^' -^•'-'r^' farmer and stock-raiser, is a 
highly esteemed and well-known citi. 
i" zen of Monroe Township, and has 
been identified with the history of Shelby 
County since 1872. He was born on the 
Shenandoah River in Page County, Virginia, 
February 17, 1831. He is a son of John and 
Mary (Eppard) Kite, also natives of Page 
County, Virginia, and of German ancestry. 
K. W. Kite was reared to the occupation of 
a farmer, and received the limited educational 
advantages afforded by the common schools 
of his youth. Arriving at the age of man- 
hood he was united in marriage August 17, 
1852, to Miss Caroline Kite, who was born 
and reared in Page County, Virginia, and is 
a daughter of Noah and Isabelle (Pirkey) 
Kite, also natives of Virginia. Three years 
after his marriage, in 1855, Mr. Kite was 
seized with a desire to try his fortunes on the 
frontier, as Iowa was then called. He emi- 
grated to the west, and settled in Cedar 
County, Iowa, near Tipton. Tiiere he resided 
until 1872, when he came to Shelby County 
and bought 120 acres of land which had been 
broken the year previous. He has built a 
good story and a half house, and buildings 



for stock and grain. He has provided for 
future comfort and enjoyment in planting a 
grove, and an orchard of five acres. By in- 
dustry and thrifty management Mr. Kite has 
made liis farm one of the most desirable in 
the township. He also owns a good farm in 
Douglas Township, Audubon County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kite have had born to them twelve 
children, ten of whom are living — Lathaniel, 
Mary Jane, D. M., Benjamin F., Alice lie- 
becca, George W., Harvey H., Ellen V., N. 
B. and I. Newton. Stephen D. died at the 
age of four years, and Oliver in his third 
year. In political thought and action Mr. 
Kite is Democratic. He has served as a 
member of the school board, and is interested 
in all measures tending to advance the edu- 
cational standing of the community. His 
family are numbered among the leading citi- 
zens of Monroe Township. 



fOHN N. IIALSTON has been a resident 
of Shelby County during the last five 
years. He was born in Illinois, August 
26, 1852, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah 
(Peyton) Ralston, who removed to lon-awhen 
our subject was two years of age, and settled 
in Dallas County; there the father died at 
the age of thirty years; the mother still 
resides in Dallas County, at the age of sixty- 
si.x years. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren — Samantha Ann, the wife of H. AVatkins" 
Caroline (deceased), Benjamin F., John N., 
and Jennie, the wife of George Saky. John 
N. began to support himself at the age of 
fourteen years. April 7, 1871, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Libbie, daughter of William and 
Lucinda Thompson. She is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and was born September 4, 1852. 
For three years after his marriage Mr. Ralston 
rented and farmed his mother's land in Dallas 



C04 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



County. He then bought eiglity acres of wild 
land in Madison County, Iowa, which he im- 
proved and made his home for seven years. 
At the end of tliat time he sold out and came 
to Shelby County, and rented until the fall of 
1888,when he bought eighty acres of improved 
land in section 2, Washington Township. Mr. 
Ralston has been politically identified with 
his township as trustee, and is the present as- 
sessor; the township assesses §180,000. He 
is a member of the Democratic party. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ralston have had born to them two 
children — May, born September 15, 1872, and 
Anna, the wife of Patrick Buckley, born De- 
cember 15, 1874. Mr. Ralston is a teacher, 
and had the advantages of a good education. 
May is also a teacher; she was graduated from 
the classical course at St. Mary's Academy, 
Council Elufis, in 1887. 



fD. VANDEBURG, of Jackson Town- 
ship, has been a resident of Shelby 
* County since the year 1875. He was 
born-in Greene County, New York, January 
15, 1816, and is a son of Peter and Hannah 
(Shersey) Vandeburg, natives of the State of 
New York. J. D. grew to man's estate in 
Greene County, being reared to the occupation 
of a farmer, and obtaining his education iti 
the common schools. He was married May 
2, 1840, to Marilla Crosby, of Greene County, 
New York. By this union six children were 
born — Eder, Van Buren,Lucit)da, Sarah, Han- 
nah and Elizabeth. Mrs. Vandeburg died in 
1851, and Mr. Vandeburg was married to 
Sarah P. Crosby, September 4, 1852. She is 
a native of Greene County, New York, and is 
a daughter of B. L. and Huldah (Hull) 
Crosby, natives of the State of New York. 
Mr. Vandeburg lived in Greene County until 
1801, when he removed to La Salle County, 



Illinois. He remained there four years, and 
at the expiration of that time he went to 
Rock Island County, Illinois, where he re- 
sided until 1875. He then came to Shelby 
County, Iowa, and purchased 160 acres of 
wild land. He was the first settler in the 
neighborhood, there being no house to the 
east of his place in Shelby County, and the 
nearest house being five miles away. He has 
expended much time and labor upon the 
place, and to-day the Vandeburg farm is con- 
sidered one of the best in the township. 
There is a good residence, attractively sur- 
rounded by a tine grove of maples, an orchard, 
a large barn, and other good farm buildings. 
There is an air of neatness and thrift about 
the place that gives an index to the character 
of the owner. By his last marriage eleven 
children were born, eight of whom still sur- 
vive — Huldah, Alida, Carrie, Grace (a popu- 
lar teacher, now attending college), Lulu, 
David, Adalbert and Elmer. James died in 
Arizona in December, 1888; Charlie died in 
his third year, and Crosby died in infancy. 
Mr. Vandeburg was for many years a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. His 
wife is an Old-school Baptist. They are both 
intelligent people, hospitable and cordial, and 
have the esteem and respect of all who know 
them. 



1^^ W. STARR, a farmer of Clay Town- 
» ship, has made his home in Shelby 
I' County since 1881. He was born in 
Clark County, Indiana, February 22, 1835, 
and is a son of Isaac and Nancj' (Griffin) 
Starr, natives of North Carolina. He was a 
babe when his parents settled in Johnson 
County, Indiana. His father died when he 
was four years old, when his mother removed 
to Hamilton County, Indiana. She died when 



BlOQllAPHWAL SKETCHES. 



605 



he was eleven years old, and he then went to 
live with a sister, Mary Stuart, wife of Green- 
berry Stuart. When our subject was fifteen 
years of age the family came to Iowa, five 
yoke of oxen drawing the wagon. G. W. 
drove young stock most of the way from In- 
diana. They crossed the Mississippi River 
at Burlington, Iowa, and settled in Wash- 
ington County, where Mr. Starr resided until 
1852. He then spent one year in Indiana. 
He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, 
and received his education in the primitive 
log school-house of that time. Mr. Starr 
was united in marriage, October 21, 1860, to 
Miss Maria Hyatt, who was born in High- 
land County, Ohio, July 8, 1841. She is a 
daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Adams) 
Hyatt, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio re- 
spectively. Mrs. Hyatt was a second cousin 
to John Q. A.dams. Mrs. Starr was three 
months old when her parents came to the 
Territory of Iowa, settling among the Indians 
in Washington County. The father died in 
1877, and the mother still lives in Washing- 
ton County. Mrs. Starr attended the first 
school, held in a log school-house, and there 
met her future husband. After his marriaee 
Mr. Starr lived in Decatur County, Iowa, for 
eighteen months, and then returned to Wash- 
ington County, where he resided until he 
came to Shelby County in 1881. He owns 
IGO acres of land, divided into fields of forty 
acres each. He has a comfortable residence, 
an orchard of two acres, a good barn, and 
cribs for grain. All the surroundings be- 
speak the thrift and prosperity of the owner. 
Mr. and Mrs. Starr are the parents of nine 
children — William F., John V., Nancy E., 
Louis F., Rosa E., Martin V., Calvin V., 
Frank F. and Jennie B. Two of the chil- 
dren are married — William F., who resides 
in Audubon County, Iowa, and Nancy E., 

who is the wife of George Pontrous, also re- 
ap 



siding in Audubon County. Mr. Starr is a 
Republican. Five of the children are mem- 
bers of the Adventist ciuirch. Louis F. is in 
Baltimore, Maryland, engaged in mission 
work. He was educated at Battle Creek, 
Michigan. Rosa E. is at Blair, Nebraska, 
attending school. 



EORGE R. STEPHENSON is an early 
settler of both Audubon and Shelby 
counties, having come to the former in 
1863, and to the latter in 1869. He was 
born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 
November 23, 1843, and is a son of James 
and Nancy (Smith) Stephenson, natives of 
Pennsylvania, the father being of Irish de- 
scent. When George was eleven years old 
his parents removed to Rock County, Wis- 
consin, and settled seven miles from Beloit, 
where they lived two years. The family then 
went to Story County, Iowa, and were among 
the early settlers there. In this county 
George grew to manhood, receiving a fair 
education in the common schools. In 1863 
he came to Audubon County, when there were 
only nineteen voters in the county, ten of 
whom were Republicans and nine of whom 
were Democrats. This was the year in which 
there was such a bitter contest over the elec- 
tion of county officers, an account of which 
will be found in the general hjstory of Audu- 
bon County. During the civil war Mr. 
Stephenson lent his aid in the preservation of 
the nation; he enlisted in March, 1864, and 
took part in the battle of the Spanisii Fort, in 
which he was wounded in the foot by a minie- 
ball, which he keeps as a relic of the war. 
He was confined in a hospital for some time, 
and on obtaining a furlougii he returned to 
Davenport, Iowa; there he was held until the 
close of the war, when he was honorably dis- 



GO.; 



HISTOIiT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



charged. He returned to Audubon County, 
and there made his home until 18G9, when he 
came to Shelby County and settled in Clay 
Townsliip. He came on his present farm in 
1872. Mr. Stephenson was united in inar- 
riage January G, 1870, to Miss Darliska Fish, 
a native of Summit County, Ohio, and a 
daughter of Mason Fish, Esq., a prominent 
citizen and early settler of Clay Township. 
Si.\ children have been born of this marriage 
— Nye and Guy are twins, born April 13, 
1877; Ina, born November 4, 1882; Goldie, 
born June 17, 1885; William, the oldest, 
born June 5, 1871, died in Kansas in 1879, 
while his parents were making a visit in that 
State; Nettie P., born July 2, 1873, died at 
the age of twenty months. In politics Mr. 
Stephenson votes the Republican ticket. He 
is a member of the G. A. K. Post, of Marne, 
Iowa, and also of the I. O. O. F. He and 
his wife are members of the Protestant 
Methodist church, and are among the wortiiy 
and respected citizens of the township. 



' S * ^ ' ' ^ ' 1' " '" 

fOIIN FRITZ, of Jackson Township, is a 
well-known, early pioneer, having come 
to Shelby County, Iowa, in 1859. He was 
born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, Sep- 
tember 17, 1828, and is a son of Martin L. and 
Mary (Hoffman) Fritz, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia. Martin L. Fritz was a son of Martin 
Fritz, a native of Germany, wlio emigrated to 
America before the Revolution. Mary Hoff- 
man Fritz was a daughter of Adam Fritz, who 
served in the Revolutionary war, in which he 
was wounded; he carried tlie British lead to 
his (frave. Martin L. Fritz and wife were 
the parents of ten children who grew to 
maturity — Josepli, Peter (deceased), Eliza- 
beth, Adam, Nancy (deceased), Silas, Cath- 
erine, John, Sarah and Samuel. When John 



was twelve years of age his parents removed 
to Owen County, Indiana; the mother died 
on the journey, and the father survived her 
four years; so at the age of sixteen John 
Fritz was left an orphan. He went to Green- 
castle, Putnam County, Indiana, and there 
served an apprenticeship of three and a half 
years at the cabinet-maker's trade. He was 
married June 1, 1853, in Putnam County, 
Indiana, to Miss Eliza Ann Dunnington, a 
native of Woodford County, Kentucky. Her 
parents were Alexander and Levisa (Sellers) 
Dunnington, and when she was three years 
old her father removed to Indiana; her mother 
died in Kentucky. When Mr. Fritz came to 
Shelby County in 1859, he engaged in the 
carpenter's trade; he helped build the first 
court house in Harlan, and built many homes, 
and some of the first school-houses in the 
county. He lived in Harlan until 1862, 
wlien he rented a farm of L. D. Sunderland. 
His first purchase was forty-eight acres in 
Bowman's Grove, which he improved and sold 
in a short time. During the late Rebellion he 
enlisted October 4, 1863, in the Ninth Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, Company H, and served 
twenty-eight months in the southwestern 
division. He was honorably discharged and 
returned to Putnam County, Indiana, where 
his family had located during tiie war. Tliere 
he resided until 1870, when he returned to 
Shelby County, and in 1873 he bought his 
present farm which was then wild land. He 
has placed the land under good cultivation, 
has erected buildings, has planted a grove and 
an orchard, and has made numerous improve- 
ments. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have had born to 
them nine children — Frank F., William D., 
InaS., wife of H. B. Madison, of Rock County, 
Nebraska; Mary L., Edgar, John II. and 
Fred. Albert died in infancy, and Archie at 
tlie age of four • and a half years. Mr. Fritz 
is a Republican. He has served on the school 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



607 



board, as comity supervisor in 1874, as town- 
ship trustee, and as school treasurer for nine 
years. He is a member of Parian Lodge, 
No. 321, A. F. & A. M., and of Olivet 
Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M. He was made 
a Mason in 1856, in Putnam County, Indiana. 
Mr. Fritz is among the honored and honor- 
able pioneers of Shelby County. 




isONROE SEYMORE,one of the lead- 
ing agriculturists of Clay Township, 
^-^i^~ Shelby County, is a native of the 
State of New York, and was born in Wyo- 
ming County, September 10, 1845. He is a 
eon of Henry and Betsey (Dout) Seymore, 
who were born in the State of Pennsylvania. 
Monroe grew to manhood in the place of his 
birth, where he was trained in that great 
school which makes us an independent nation, 
the farm. He obtained his education in the 
common schools. During the great civil war, 
when there was a call for more men to de- 
fend the flag of our nation, Mr. Seymore en- 
listed December 28, 1863, in the Second New 
York Mounted Rifles, Company B. He took 
part in the engagements of Hatch's Run, 
Petersburg, Cold Harbor, North Anna and 
the latter part of the great battle of the Wil- 
derness under General Grant. He was at Ap- 
pomattox when General Lee surrendered to 
General Grant. After his honorable dis- 
charge at Buflalo, New York, in 1865, he re- 
turned to Wyoming County. In 1866 Mr. 
Seymore removed to Whiteside County, Illi- 
nois, and resided there until 1876, when he 
went to Calhoun County, Iowa; he remained 
there one year, and then came to Shelby 
County. The tirst two years he lived in sec- 
tion 28, and in 1879 came to his presentfarm, 
where he has since made his home. He 
owns eighty acres of tine land in a high state 



of cultivation ; he has a good dwelling, stables 
and cribs; he has jilanted a grove and an 
orchard, and has developed his farm into a 
very desirable place. Mr. Seymore was mar- 
ried in Whiteside County, Illinois, in 1869, 
to Miss Anna McNeil, who died in August, 
1874. In the spring of 1876 he was married 
to Miss Carrie B. Hudzel, a daughter of 
Jeremiah and Malinda (Roub) Hudzel, natives 
of Pennsylvania. By this union three chil- 
dren were born — James H., Caroline and 
Julia Malinda. In politics Mr. Seymore is 
a liepublican. He is a member of the G. A. 
R. Post, of Marne. 



tEWIS KELLOGG, a farmer and stock- 
raiser of Clay Township, has been a resi- 
dent of Shelby County, Iowa, since 
1868. He was born in Oswego County, New 
York, near the place where Oswego now 
stands, May 22, 1836. His fatlier, David 
Kellogg, was a native of Connecticut; his 
mother, Harriette (Loomis) Kellogg, was born 
in England, and emigrated to America with 
her parents when she was ten years old. 
Lewis Kellogg was two years old when his 
parents removed to Allegheny County, New 
York; there he lived utitil lie was eighteen 
years old, spending his time in farni work, 
and in attending the common schools. When 
he was seventeen years of age his mother died, 
and the following year the family went to 
Wisconsin, settling in Grant County, near 
Boscobel. Mr. Kellogg was united in mar- 
riage December 23, 1858, to Annar Fish, » 
native of Warren County, Pennsylvania, and 
a daughter of Mason Fish (deceased). At 
Lincoln's call for 300,000 men in the late Re- 
bellion, Mr. Kellogg enlisted in the Twentieth 
Wisconsin Yolunteer Infantry, Company C. 
He served nine months, and was honorably 



60S 



HlSTOliT OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



discharged; he took part in tlie battle of 
Prairie Grove. After returning from the war 
he lived in Wisconsin until 1868, when he 
came to Shelby County and settled on 160 
acres of wild land, which he has improved 
and brought to a high state of cultivation. 
He has a comfortable dwelling, a good barn, 
and cribs, and has planted an orchard and a 
grove. Mr. Kellogg devotes his time exclu- 
sively to farming and stock-raising, and has 
been successful in these pursuits. Three chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg — 
Ed. M. resides in Clay Township, where he 
owns a good farm ; Clara, wife of Christ Ol- 
son, resides in Cass County, Iowa; Lyman 
L. lives in Shelby County. In politics Mr. 
Kellogg zealously supports the Republican 
party. lie is a member of Grove Lodge, No. 
492, A. F. & A. M.,of Marne, Iowa. He was 
made a Mason at Avoca, Iowa, and at one 
time was a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321. 

fa ' ^ ' I ' S 



iEORGEW. POTTS, a farmer and stock- 
raiser, of Clay Township, Shelby County, 
was born in Richland County, Ohio, 
July 5, 1823. He is a son of Benjamin and 
Abigail (Peer) Potts, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia and New Jersey respectively. "When 
George W. was thirteen years old his parents 
removed to Noble County, Indiana, where 
his father and one Dave Harriman were the 
first settlers in Jefferson Township; his father 
and mother resided there until death. He 
remained there until he was grown, and re- 
ceived a fair education in the subscription 
schools. October 28, 1848, Mr. Potts was 
married to Miss Mary Kline, a native of Han- 
over, York County, Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mults) 
Jvline, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland 
respectively. Mr. Potts lived in Noble 



County iintil 1876, when he came to Marion 
County, Iowa, and lived near Pella one year. 
He then removed to Polk County, and resided 
there three years. In 1879 he came to Clay 
Township, and settled on wild land, which he 
has improved, and made into one of the best 
in the township. He has a good story and a 
half house on a pleasant site, a barn, and 
other substantial farm buildings, all showing 
Mr. Potts to be a thrifty and prosperous 
farmer. Si.x children have been born to our 
subject and his wife — Warren W., Celesta, wife 
of David Prichard; George W. ; Kate, wife of 
Dell Vandeberg; Fred L. and Walter E. Mr. 
Potts is a Democrat, and is a strong adherent 
of the old Jacksonian principles. He is firm 
in his convictions of right and wrong, is 
strictly honorable in business, and has the 
confidence and respect of all who know him. 

« ■' " '■ ^ ' 3"i « |" '°' 




S. FUDGE, a farmer of Clay Town- 
ship, has been a resident of Shelby 
^^^^^ County since 1882. He is a native 
of the State of Virginia, born June 17, 1846. 
He is a son of William Fudge, a descendant 
of an old and honored Virginia family. His 
mother's maiden name was Thompson, and 
she too was a Virginian by birth. M. S. was 
a child three years of age when his parents 
removed to Coles County, Illinois, where 
they resided five years. At the end of that 
time they went to Jasper County, Iowa, and 
there the mother died when M. S. Fudge 
was eleven years old. He passed his youth 
in the duties assigned usually to farmer's 
sons, and obtained his education in the com- 
mon schools. In 1869 he went to Cass 
County, Iowa, and there made his home for 
five years. He then went to Pottawattamie 
County, Iowa, and remained there until 1882, 
when he came to Clay Township, and settled 



BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCHES. 



60g 



on his present farm. The land was wild, but 
had a few cheap buildings on it. Mr. Fudge 
has made it a valuable farm by placing it 
under good cultivation and erecting substan- 
tial buildings. The dwelling is a large two- 
story frame house, on a very sightly eleva- 
tion, from which is obtained a tine view of 
the country for miles away. There is a grove, 
and an orchard of two acres has been planted. 
Mr. Fudge was married September 10, 1874, 
to Miss Melvina Beath, of Ross County, Ohio, 
a daughter of Joseph and Christina (Teter) 
Beath, natives of Ohio. She was sixteen 
years of age when she came to Jasper County, 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Fudge have had born 
to them three children — Justus B., Marion 
A. and Clarence Elsworth, who died at the 
age of five years and one month. Mr. Fudge 
affiliates with the Democratic party. He is 
a member of the A. O. U. W., and is a re- 
spected member of the community. 

— * g - 3"t ' 2 -- — 



?OHN LAMPHERE was born in Oneida 
County, New York, January 27, 1838, 
and is a son of Smith and Eleanor (Pad- 
dock) Lamphere, natives of the State of New 
York. He was a lad of thirteen years when 
his parents decided to try their fortunes in 
the west, and removed to Whiteside County, 
Illinois. There John grew to manhood, 
passing his youth in agricultural pursuits, 
and in attending the common school. In the 
year 1861, in the month of February, Mr. 
Lamphere was married to Miss Mary Hotch- 
kiss, a native of Oswego County, New York, 
and a daughter of David and Phcebe Hotch- 
kiss. Six children have been born of this 
marriage, four of whom still survive — Lucy, 
wife of David Willson, of Cumberland, Iowa; 
Duly, Merritt and Bert. Claude died at the 
age of nineteen years and five months, and 



Meda, in her sixth year. During the great 
Rebellion Mr. Lamphere went to the defense 
of the old flag, enlisting in 18G2 in the 
Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
Company B. He took an active part at 
Perry ville, where his company lost fortj^-four 
men out of fifty-five. He also participated 
in the engagements at Danville, Cumberland 
Gap, and Stone River. As he was not able 
to travel he was detailed as teamster for a 
time. He was honorably discharged atMur- 
freesboro, Tennessee, and returned to WhitC' 
side County, Illinois, engaging in the more 
peaceful pursuits of agriculture. He resided 
in that county until 1875, when he came to 
Shelby County, and settled in Clay Town- 
ship. He has 120 acres of valuable land, 
having made many improvements. Tliere is 
a substantial residence, a good barn, and 
other buildings for the care and protection of 
stock; a grove and an orchard have been 
planted, and in a few years will add very mate- 
rially to the value of the place. In politics 
Mr. Lamphere supports the issues of the 
Democratic party. He has served as road 
supervisor and as a member of the school 
board. He belongs to' the G. A. R; Post, of 
Marne, Iowa. He ia counted among the re- 
liable farmers of the township. 

f ' i"S ' |" ' — — 



m% B. DIGHTON, an intelligent and en- 
terprising farmer of Clay Township, is 
* a native of the State of Iowa, born in 
Delaware County, April 17, 1856. He is a 
son of B. F., a native of Pennsylvania, and 
Catherine Jane (Ilitts) Dighton. The father 
was an early and well-known settler of Dela- 
ware County, and is still living there; the 
mother died when B. B. was six years old. 
Mr. Dighton was reared to the life of a farmer, 
and received his education in the common 



610 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



schools of Delaware County, Iowa. At the 
early age of sixteen he left his home and went 
to Pottawattamie County. After a short tiine 
he returned to Delaware County, and at the 
end of two years he went to Hardin County, 
Iowa, and remained there four years. His 
next move was to Shelby County, where he 
has since made his liome. He was married 
in Cass County, Iowa, January 1, 1880, to 
Miss Susan Lamer, a daughter of Jacob and 
Mary Lamer; she was born, reared and edu- 
cated in Hardin County. Two children have 
been born of this marriage — Etta C. and 
Willie D. In political thought and action 
Mr. Dighton is a Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Marne. He and 
his wife arc members of the Protestant Meth- 
odist ciiurch. Mr. Dighton is yet in the prime 
of manhood, and has the confidence and re- 
spect of the community in which he lives. 



M. B. CLARK, a successful farmer of 
Clay Township, has been a resident of 
Shelby County since the year 1871. 
He was born in Barren County, Kentucky, 
August 26, 1850, and is a son of John M. 
Clark, a prominent citizen of Monroe Town- 
ship, whose biography appears upon another 
page of this history. Mr. Clark was three 
and a half years old when his father settled 
in Grant County, Wisconsin. There he grew 
to manhood, passing his time on the farm 
and in attending the common schools. He 
was in his twenty-first year when he came 
witii his father to Monroe Township. He 
broke out the first prairie in the neighbor- 
hood wher» his father lifes, and assisted in 
placing the home farm under cultivation and 
making other improvements. December 28, 
1878, Mr. Chirk was married to Miss Nellie 
Adelia Whitney, a native of Oswego County, 



New York. She was eight years old when 
her parents, Thomas and Anna (Jewell) Whit- 
ney, removed to Whiteside County, Illinois. 
The father and mother lived in Whiteside 
County for five years, then in Shelby County 
until 1876, when they removed to Rio Grande 
Connty, Colorado, and there lived until death 
claimed them one year later. Mr. and Mrs. 
Clark have had born to them eight children — ■ 
Robert F., Charles Tiiomas, Mary Isabelie, 
Carrie Maria, John M., Olie Eliza, Rockie 
Mildred and Addie May. Politically Mr. 
Clark holds the views of the Democrats, 
sympathizing with the Greenback element. 
He has served as a member of the school 
board. He is in the prime of life, is of a 
genial disposition, and has the respect of the 
community. 

^ARMON PINNEY has been a resident 
of Clay Township for the past six years, 
having come there in 1883. He was 
born in Mentor Township, Lake County, Ohio, 
near the home of James A. Garfield, October 
10, 1848, and is a son of Randolph Pinney, 
a native of Connecticut, and Patience (Har- 
mon) Pinney, a native of Lake County, Ohio. 
Harmon was reared in his native county, and 
passed his youth in farm work and in at- 
tending the common school. He was united 
in marriage December 11, 1872, to Miss 
Alice Reynolds, of Kirtland Township, Lake 
County, Ohio; she is a daughter of Alonzo and 
Melissa (Fuller) Reynolds, natives of Ohio. 
Mr. Pinney lived in Lake County, Ohio, until 
1877, when he came to Mitchellvilie, Polk 
County, Iowa, where he bought a farm of 
eighty acres adjoining the corporation of 
Mitchellvilie; lived there five years, sold out 
and came to Shelby County, Clay Township, 
in 1883. He had been engaged in fanning 



DIOOnAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



Git 



in his Ohio home, and he continued this oc- 
cupation in his newly chosen place of abode. 
He purchased 160 acres of land which had 
been partially improved by George Richard- 
son. Mr. Pinney has since added many other 
improvements, and to-day has one of the best 
farms in the community. He has a fine resi- 
dence, built in modern style, surrounded with 
shade and ornamental trees, a good barn, cribs 
and other necessary buildings. He devotes 
his time exclusively to farming and stock- 
raising, and has been quite successful. Mr. 
and Mrs. Finney are the parents of one child 
— Jessie K. Politically Mr. Pinney aiSliates 
with the Republican party. He is a man 
honorable in business, and is counted among 
the reliable citizens of Clay Township. 



►|«H 



iRLICE BRADFORD has been identified 
with the interests of Shelby County 
since 1878, when he came here to make 
his home, having three years previously 
bought some land in Clay Township. He was 
born in Mercer County, Illinois, March 18, 
1858, and is a son of William and Maria 
(Stevens) Bradford, natives of Switzerland 
County, Indiana. The parents were early 
settlers in Mercer County, Illinois, and there 
Bruce was reared to the life of a farmer, and 
obtained his education in the common schools. 
February 14, 1878, Mr. Bradford was united 
in marriage to Emma J. Smith, of Mercer 
County, Illinois, a daughter of Alfred and 
Margaret Smith. The same year they came 
to Shelby County and located on their pres- 
ent farm, which is one of the best in the 
township. Mr. Bradford has 120 acres under 
cultivation and the balance is in meadow. He 
has a comfortable residence, stables and cribs, 
and all the necessary buildings for the pro- 
tection and care of live-stock. He has planted 



a grove and an orchard, and has made many 
other improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Brad- 
ford have had born to them four children — 
Mabel, Alfred, Guy and Arthur Earl. Of 
the two great parties Mr. Bradford is inclined 
to the principles of the Republicans. He is 
yet in the prime of life and is one of the es- 
teemed citizens of Clay Township. 



igt^LIAB MYERS, one of the leading ag- 
riculturists of Jackson Township, has 
been a resident of Shelby County since 
1870. He was born and reared in Waterloo 
County, Ontario, his birthday being June 7, 
1837. His parents were John and Mary 
(Wengen) Myers, both natives of the State of 
Pennsylvania. They were married in Canada, 
and resided there until death. Eliab Myers 
passed his youth in his native county, work- 
ing on the farm and attending the common 
schools and the academy. At the age of 
seventeen he engaged in teaching and con- 
tinued this profession for four years. At the 
age of twenty-one years he removed to Jo 
Daviess County, Illinois, and engaged in farm- 
ing. Mr. Myers was married in August, 
1862, to Miss Sarah M. Daw6j of Stephenson 
County, Illinois, a daughter of Thomas Daws. 
They have had born to them si.x children — 
Angeline Orvilla, wife of George Womer, 
of Illinois; John F., of Tacoma, Washing- 
ton Territory; Archie A., a successful teacher; 
Roland, Orpha and Roy. Mr. Myers resided 
in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, until 1870, 
when he came to Shelby County and bought 
240 acres of improved land, to which he has 
added until he now owns 700 acres, 300 of 
which are in Jackson Township and 340 of 
which are in Polk Township. Sevonty-five 
acres are timber land, and the farm is watered 
by the east branch of the West Nishnabotna 



612 



BISTORT OF anSLBT COUNTY. 



River. There is a comfortable dwelling and 
extensive buildings for stock and grain, and 
a large orchard. Mr. Myers is inclined to 
the principles of the Republican party. At 
one time he served as postmaster. He is 
honorable and upright in business, and is 
numbered among the worthy citizens of Jack- 
son Township. 



.^-«^ 



fOHN M. CLARK is one of the promi- 
nent early settlers of Monroe Township. 
In 1871 he bought 160 acres of land, 
paying $10 per acre. The first season he 
broke sixty acres and built a small frame 
house. He has since erected a larger dwell- 
ing, and has made many improvements upon 
the place, until it is considered one of the 
best in the township. John M. Clark was 
born in Knox County, Tennessee, near Knox- 
ville, January 11, 1871, and is a son of John 
and Catherine (Moats) Clark. His father was 
a native of South Carolina, his ancestors 
coming from Scotland, near Glasgow. His 
mother was born in Virginia, of German an- 
cestry. Mr. Clark, the subject of this notice, 
was reared in Knox County, Tennessee. At 
the age of nineteen years he enlisted and 
went to the Indian or Seminole war in Flor- 
ida, under General Wool. He served twelve 
months, and at the end of that time was 
honorably discharged. When he was twenty- 
one years old the Clark family removed to 
Kentucky, traveling over the Cumberland 
Mountains in ox-carts. The}' settled in AVar- 
reii County, Kentucky. Mr. Clark was 
married September 4, 1839, to Mary Ann 
Renshaw, who was born and reared in Ken- 
tucky, and who was a daughter of Andrew 
and Elizabeth Renshaw. Ily this union two 
children were born — William J., of Audubon 
County, Iowa, and Martha E., wife of W. H. 



Debord, of Monroe Township. Mrs. Mary 
Ann Clark died in Jo Daviess County, Illi- 
nois, in 1847, the family having removed 
from Kentucky to Illinois in 1844. They 
remained there three years, Mr. Clark being 
engaged in lead-mining. After the death of 
his wife he returned to Kentucky, and No- 
vember 22, 1849, he was married to Maria 
Sarah Quick, a native of Kentucky, and a 
daughter of Charles and Patsey (Foster) 
Quick. By this marriage four children were 
born — J. M. B., of Clay Township; Isabel 
Catherine, wife of J. Brindloy; Sarah Jane, 
wife of J. S. Morgan, of Walnut, and Robert 
Allen, of Pottawattamie County. Mrs. Sarah 
Clark died July 1, 1858. In 1854 Mr. Clark 
removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, and 
settled near Plattville, where they lived until 
1871, when they came to Shelby County. 
Mr. Clark supports the issues of the Demo- 
cratic party. In religions opinion he is of 
the Baptist faith, his father being a minister 
of that denomination. Although seventy- 
three years of age, Mr. Clark is young in 
mind and well preserved in body. He has 
traveled much, is well informed, of a genial 
disposition, and is highly respected by all 
who know him. 



iANIEL FLEMING, a son of Samuel 
and Sarah (Henderson) Fleming, was 
born in the Buckeye State near Colum- 
bus, May 24, 1826. His father was also a 
native of Ohio, and was one of the first set- 
tlers of Franklin County. Daniel was reared 
in Ohio, and passed his youth in farm work, 
and also did some work in a stone quarry 
near his home. When he had reached his 
twenty-first year he went to Allen County, 
Indiana. There he was married August 15, 
1850, to Miss Catherine Crance, a native of 





///^. 




>v 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



615 



Allen County, and a daughter of Jacob and 
Rachel (Fent) Crance. Jacob Crance was a 
native of the State of ^New York, and was 
one of the early settlers of Allen County, be- 
ing there when peace was declared with the 
Indians. His wife was born in Tennessee. 
Daniel Fleming resided in Allen County until 
1868, when he removed to La Porte Coimty, 
Indiana; there he lived until 1877, when he 
came to Iowa. He lived in the south part of 
Clay Township for seven years, and then came 
to his present farm. He owns 160 acres of 
well improved land, 145 of which are under 
cultivation, and the balance is in pasture and 
meadow. He has a good frame house, a barn 
and cribs; lie has planted a grove and an 
orchard, and has made many other improve- 
ments which will add very much to the com- 
fort of living. Mr. Fleming is enterprising, 
and has been successful in his work, a result 
of industry and wise management. He is 
plain of speech and manners, is firm in his 
convictions of right and wrong, and is an hon- 
ored and esteemed citizen of Clay Township. 
In politics he is a Democrat. He isa mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., of Marne, Cass County, 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents 
of nine children — William James, Emily, 
Sarah Amanda, Jacob Samuel, Albert, Ma- 
linda, Hester Anna, Ida May and Edna 
Bern ice. 



■Si * " (>» 



M. SNYDER, of Jackson Township, is 
one of the oldest pioneers of Shelby 
I ' County, having settled there in 1856. 
He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, 
January 5, 1829, and is a son of Daniel and 
Catherine (Miller) Snyder, also natives of 
Berks County, Pennsylvai.ia. Daniel Snyder 
had two brothers who fought in the war of 
1812. He and his wife lived in their native 



county until death. II. M. Snyder at the age 
of seventeen years began to serve an ap- 
prenticeship in the miller's trade. In his 
nineteenth year he went to the State of Ohio, 
and for three years he traveled about the 
State, remaining but a short time in a single 
place. He was married at Dayton, Ohio, 
January 6, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Strine, 
daughter of Solomon and Ann Eliza Strine- 
she was born in Maryland, but was reared in 
Montgomery County, Ohio. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Snyder removed to Elkhart County, 
Indiana, and resided there until 1856, when 
he came to Shelby County with William and 
Isaac Wyland. The first year he lived at 
Wick's Grove, Harlan Township, and the 
next year removed to section 30, Polk Town- 
ship, where he bought forty acres of land; 
he has since added to this until he now owns 
160 acres of fine land, which is cultivated by 
his sons. He made this place his hume until 
1886, when he rented the farm and went to 
live in Harlan. In the winter of 1888 he 
went to his present farm of eighty acres in 
section 8, Jackson Township. He has a com- 
fortable house, a barn, a grove and an orchard 
and a very good tract of land. The place was 
improved by H. McConnell. Mr. and Mrs. 
Snyder have had nine children, five of whom 
are living— William Monroe, Alonzo, Mat- 
thias, Ellen, wife of John Frost, and 

wife of William Davis. The four children 
deceased are— Jonathan, who died at the age 
of one year; Jane, at the age of twelve years; 
James, at the age of twelve years; and Mi- 
nerva, wife of Scott Miller, who left four 
children. She had been twice married, first to 
James Pearman, by whom she had one son, 
Frank, who lives with his grandparents, Mr. 
and Mrs. Snyder. Mr. Snyder afiiliates with 
the Democratic party. Ho has served as a 
member of the school board and as township 
trustee. For many years lie was a member 



616 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M. 
He is a man tirin in hib convictions, plain in 
speech and manner, and is one of the highly 
esteemed citizens of Shelby County. 

■■■• 'g - l"t - g 



plIEODORE ANSTINE, one of the lead- 
ing agriculturists of Monroe Township, 
has been a resident of Shelby JCounty 
since 1873. lie was born in Champaign 
County, Ohio, April 28, 1844, and is a son 
of Michael and Amy (Snyder) Anstine, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. Theodore was eight 
years old when his parents removed to Mc- 
Donough County, Illinois; there he grew up, 
receiving a fair education in the common 
schools. During the great Rebellion he went 
to the defense of his nation's flag, enlisting 
September 14, 1862, in the Seventy-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry. He was first under 
fire at Chickamauga,and took an active part in 
the battle of Mission Ridge. Two days after the 
battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner; 
he was first confined at Richmond, Virginia, in 
the Royster building, opposite Libby Prison. 
February 23, 1864, he was taken to Anderson- 
ville. He was held 577 days, and experienced 
all the horrors of rebel prison life. Of the 
nineteen privates and one officer who were 
taken prisoners belonging to Mr. Anstine's 
company, only nine lived to return to their 
homes. Mr. Anstine was married February 
23, 1869, to Miss Mary L. Wilhelm, of Schuyler 
County, Illinois; she is a daughter of Wel- 
come and Mary (Price) Wilhelm. In 1873 
they came on their present farm of 160 acres. 
It was wild land but is now under cultivation, 
and has been greatly improved by the erection 
of buildings and planting of trees. In 1889 
Mr. Anstine erected a new residence at a cost 
of ;{;1,500, situated on a natural building site, 
and attractively surrounded byevergreen trees. 



Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Anstine — William, Eashie Jane, Cora May, 
Elmer, Chester Rcy, Katie and Clara. Mr. 
Anstine is a Republican ; he has been officially 
connected with his township as justice of the 
peace, as township trustee and as a member 
of the school board, serving with credit and 
to the satisfaction of the public. He is a 
member of the G. A. R., John A. Dix Post, of 
Walnut. 

— ■ " ■ ■g - : " r - S — 



ll^ILLIAM JOHNSON, a farmer of 
\1t Monroe Township, has been living 
■%^ in Shelby County since 1877. He 
was born in Yorkshire, England, September 
6, 1834, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Ponder) Johnson, also natives of Yorkshire, 
England. Until he was sixteen years of age 
our subject lived on his father's farm, attend- 
ing to those duties usually allotted to a 
farmer's son. He then went to work on the 
railroad, and followed this business for sev- 
eral years. In 1855 he bade farewell to his 
native land and emigrated to America, set- 
tling near Galena, Illinois. He remained 
there about two years, and then went to 
Plattville, Wisconsin, where he resided until 
1877. He then came to Shelby County and 
bought eighty acres of partially improved 
land in Monroe Township; there be has since 
lived, and has developed one of the best farms 
in the neighborhood. He has a frame dwell- 
ing house, attractively surrounded with shade 
trees, an orchard, and buildings for live-stock 
and grain. Mr. Johnson has added to his 
first purchase of land, and now owns 160 
acres. All the surroundings betoken thrift 
and prosperity. Mr. Johnson was married 
at Plattville, Wisconsin, February 11, 1869, 
to Mrs. Barl)ara Morman, a widow with four 
sons and three daughters. Her maiden name 



BIOGUAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



817 



was Augustine, and she was a native of Ohio. 
r?y this marriage one child has been born — 
Emma, wife of Charles W. NeS; she was 
born in Plattville, Wisconsin, in 1870. Mr. 
Johnson is a zealous advocate of the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party. Although 
firm in his beliefs, he is a man of broad and 
liberal views. His honorable dealings have 
won the confidence of the community in 
which he lives. 

— g . i .. r . g. ..~ — 



jAVID HALL, farmer and stock-ra'ser, 
Cass Township, has been a resident of 
Shelby County since 1869. He was 
born in Delaware, November 11, 1841, and is a 
son of Joel and Emily (Morton) Hall, natives 
of Delaware and Pennsylvania respectively. 
David was four years of age when his parents 
removed to St. Louis, Missouri. They re- 
mained there seven years and then went to 
Council Bluffs, where David spent seventeen 
years. He obtained his education in the pub- 
lic schools of that place. In 1869 he came 
to Shelby County and bought forty acres of 
prairie land and two and a half acres of tim- 
ber, and began in a small way to make a home 
for himself. By industry and good manage- 
ment he has gained a farm of 400 acres, well 
improved; the place is well watered by 
springs, making it one of the best stock- 
farms in ShelbyCounty. Hisdwelling,ereeted 
in 1886, is a large, substantial frame build- 
ing, of modern style; it is situated on a nat- 
ural building site and is surrounded by shade 
trees. He has a good barn, cribs and sheds, 
and everything convenient for the care of 
stock. Mr. Hall devoted considerable time 
to the raising of stock, and is one of the best 
judges of stock in the township. Mr. Hall 
was united in marriage November 28, 1867, 
to Miss Emeline Miller, of Galland's Grove, 



a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Roundy) 
Miller. Mrs. Hall's mother is a sister of the 
Hon. Washington Roundy, of this county. 
She was born in Hancock County, Illinois, 
and was reared in Davis County, Iowa. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hall are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Alva, Mabel and Nellie. Mr. Hall's 
politics is Democratic. He has filled many 
of the township offices with credit to him- 
self. He is a member of the Latter-Day 
Saints church, and is a respected and worthy 
citizen of the county. 



fHOMAS A. KAVANAGH, Justice 
p of the Peace, Panama, Iowa, is among 
the leading young business men of the 
county. His residence in the village of Pan- 
ama began May 26, 1885, when he estab- 
lished a harness and saddler's business there. 
He sold this business and stock April 18, 
1889, to Burdick & Company, but he intends 
remaining in the county and studying law. 
He was born in Carlton County, Ontario, 
March 26, 1863, and is the son of Walter 
and Mary (Larkin) Kavanagh. They were the 
parents of eight children — Peter, John, Wal- 
ter, Matthew (deceased), Joseph, Patrick, 
Thomas A. and Michael. Walter Kavanagh, 
Sr., and wife were both natives of Canada. 
Mr. Kavanagh is still living in Canada at the 
age of sixty-four years; he has followed the 
occupation of farming all his life. His wife 
was born December 24, 1827, and died Feb- 
ruary 17, 1875. She was of Irish ancestry, 
and Mr. Kavanagh is of English and Irish 
extraction. Thomas A. Kavanagh has been 
a member of the town council since the 
organization of Panama. He is a staunch 
advocate of the principles of the Democratic 
party; he has usually attended the State, con- 
gressional and county conventions of his 



618 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



party. He was elected justice of the peace 
of Washington Township in November, 1888, 
by a large majority. He is a member of the 
Roman Catholic church. 

I ' l ' ^ ' l 



jOBERT PORTER, one of the prominent 
and extensive fanners of Monroe Town- 
ship, is au early settler in the neighbor- 
hood. He was born in Essex, England, May 
19, 1832, and is a son of James and Susan 
(Malyan) Porter. He was reared to the life 
of a farmer, remaining in England until he 
was twenty-two years of age; he then emi- 
grated to America, hoping to better his fort- 
unes in the new world. He left England in 
a sailing vessel June 12, 1854, and after a 
voyage of forty-two days landed in New York 
City. The vessel Mr. Porter sailed on was the 
Robert Peel. From New York he proceeded 
at once to Iowa, and crossed the Mississippi 
River to Davenport as the sun was going down 
on the last day of July, 1854. Thence he 
went to Cedar County, Iowa, his total wealth 
amounting to $10 when he had completed his 
journey. He worked by the month for a time, 
and later rented land; he then bouglit eighty 
acres which he farmed for nine years and then 
sold. A few years after Robert Porter came 
to America the other members of the family 
followed him. The father died within five 
or six weeks after his arrival. The mother is 
still living at Le Mars, Iowa, at the advanced 
age of eighty years. She makes her home 
with her daughter Agnes E. Werling. The 
other members of the family are William 
Porter, residing in Shelby County; George 
Porter, residing in Pottawattamie County; 
Benjamin Porter, residing in Wayne County, 
Nebraska; Tiiomas Porter, residing in Guth- 
rie County, Iowa, and Mary Yule, residing in 
Cedar County, Iowa. Wlien Robert Porter 



came to Shelby County one of his brothers 
came with him. In 1876 they bought 560 
acres of wild land; later he bought his 
brother's interest, and now owns 560 acres 
of as good land as can be found in Shelby 
County. He has a fine, two-story residence, 
built in modern style, situated in the center 
of a beautiful lawn, ornamented with ever- 
greens and shrubs. He has one of the best 
barns in Shelby County, built upon a stone 
foundation in a very substantial style. It is 
well arranged for the care and comfort of 
live-stock. Mr. Porter is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, making a specialty 
of Galloway cattle. March 20, 1864, occurred 
the marriage of Robert Porter and Mrs. Mary 
Churchill, widow of W. L. Churchill, and 
daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Green) Bum- 
garner. She was born in Knox County, 
Indiana, and at the age of seven years her 
parents came to Iowa. Six children have 
been born of this marriage — James R., Eliza 
A., Frank, John G., Nettie M. and Florence 
M. Mr. Porter affiliates with the Republican 
party. He is one of the m orthy and respected 
citizens of Monroe Township. Mrs. Porter 
has one son by her first marriage — W. H. 
Churchill — residing in Wayne County, Ne- 
braska. 



ILLIAM BAIRD lives on section 13, 
Monroe Township, and is well known 
l*=§iTl as one of the successful farmers of 
Shelby County. He was born in Des Moines, 
Polk County, Iowa, April 24, 1853, and is a 
son of John Baird, one of the early settlers 
of Clay Township. His early youth was 
spent in his native county, and at the age of 
eighteen years he came with his father to 
Clay Township, and assisted him in improv- 
ing the old home farm. Mr. Baird was mar- 





^^^^u^-£zaZ^ .^^X-^^^^^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



621 



ried January 1, 1873, to Miss C. Alinira 
Chase, a native of the State of New York, 
and a daughter of George W. Chase, who 
now resides in Audubon County. After his 
marriage Mr. Baird lived for a short time in 
Audubon County. In 1883 he came to his 
present farm, which he has since made his 
home. He, in company with his brother 
George F. Baird, has 140 acres under cultiva- 
tion, the balance being in pasture and 
meadow. He has a good house, and the nec- 
essary buildings for stock and grain. He 
has planted a grove and an orchard. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baird are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Rosa, Ada and Arta. In political 
thought and action Mr. Baird stands with 
tlie Republican party. By honest and up- 
right dealing he has won the confidence and 
esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances. 

I ' M^ ' l 



fT. BUSS, a successful and enterprising 
farmer in Monroe Township, has been 
' a resident of Shelby County, Iowa, since 
1880. He was born in La Fayette County, 
Wisconsin, July 16, 1855, and is a son of 
Daniel and Mary Ann (Jones) Buss, natives 
of England, but for many years residents of 
La Fayette County, Wisconsin. J. T. Buss 
grew to manhood in his native county. He 
was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and 
obtained his education in the common schools. 
He was married November 13, 1879, to Miss 
Elizabeth Perry, a native of Grant County, 
Wisconsin, and a daughter of George and 
Elizabeth (Griffith) Perry, natives of Wales. 
When Mr. Buss came to Shelby County he 
settled on 240 acres of wild land, which he 
placed under cultivation. He devotes himself 
exclusively to farming and stock-raising. Po- 
litically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. He is in the prime of life, is of a 



cordial and frank disposition, and is strictly 
honorable in business. Mr. and Mrs. Buss 
had born to them three children — Ilattie, 
Sarah Ann and Martha. 

S ' ^"t * S" * " — 



fAMES ADAMSON, deceased, was one 
of the early settlers of Washington 
Township. He was a native of Eng- 
land, and was born December 1, 1856. His 
parents are David and Jennette (McCuen) 

Adamson, who had eight other children 

Elizabeth, David, William, Alexander, Jessie 
(deceased), Jennie, Isabel, and Mary (de- 
ceased). The father and mother are botli 
natives of Scotland. They came to America 
in 1860, and have lived in several difi'erent 
States and large cities, where Mr. Adamson 
worked at his trade, that of a machinist. 
James Adamson remained with his father 
until he was nineteen years old, workinu' on 
the farm and attending school. He then 
rented land and began life for himself. After 
renting for six years he purchased 120 acres 
in Washington Township; in 1884 he bought 
eighty acres more, making 200 acres in all, 
which he has brought to a fine state of culti- 
vation. Mr. Adamson was united in marriage 
December 25,1878, to Miss Sarah J. Roundy, 
the daughter of Washington and Alvira (Will- 
iams) Roundy. She is a native of Siielby 
County, and was born April 25, 1855. Mr. 
Adamson carried on general farming, giving 
especial attention to raising of live-stock. 
His political convictions were voiced by tlie 
Democratic party. He served four years as 
township treasurer, and was filling the office 
at the time of his death. He had also served 
as school director. He was public-spirited 
and contributed liberally to all enterprises 
tending to advance the standing of the com- 
munity. His death occurred April 8, 1889, 



«-'2 



HIHTORY OP SHELBY COUNTY. 



after an illness of only five days. He leaves 
a wife and four children to mourn his loss, 
and a vacancy in the community that cannot 
easily be tilled. Mr. and Mrs. Adamson's 
children are — Myrtle A., born October 28, 
1879; Edmond W. and Eldred N., twins, 
born February 2, 1883; and William G., 
born February 10, 1887. 

' t - l x l - t '-'- 



,LMA M. NEWiJERRY has been iden- 
tified with the history of Shelby County, 
Iowa, since 1875. He was born in Lee 
County, Iowa, December 25, 184G, and is a 
son of James and Elizabeth (Haskins) New- 
berry, who were the parents of six children — 
Joseph II., Heber, Mary Elizabeth (deceased), 
Jolana, Daniel (deceased), and Alma M., the 
subject of this sketch. Elizabeth Newberry, 
the motlier of A. M., was liorn in Locke, 
Cayuga County, New Yoik, March 9, 1815, 
and died February 28, 1855. James New- 
berry was born May 29, 1791, in Warwick, 
Orange County, New York, and died July 
19, 1880. He was married to his first wife, 
Mary Smith, August 24, 1811, and there 
were ten children born to them — Jane, John 
S. (deceased), Abraham B., James W., Sally 
Ann, Hannah Maria, Harriet, Lecty Louisa, 
Esther and Patty. Mr. Newberry was mar- 
ried to Sible Pulsipher, but no children were 
born to tliem. She died January 6, 1870. 
He was married to his second wife, and sepa- 
rated from her, and little of her history is 
known. His last wife is now living in Har- 
rison County, Iowa. Mr. Newberry settled 
at Traders' Point in 1847, and in Kanesville 
in 1848, and was residing there when the 
city of Council Bluft's was laid out. He was 
a member of the old Latter-Day Saints 
church, and was all through the Mormon 
war. He was taken prisoner with Joseph 



Smith and others. Alma M. Newberry re- 
mained under the parental roof until he was 
twelve years old and at that early age began 
supporting himself. He worked a greater 
part of the time, until he was twenty-one 
years old, on a farm; and then he began 
renting laud, and continued this until 1875. 
He then bought forty acres in Shelby County, 
and has since made additions to it until he 
now owns 240 acres, all in an advanced state 
of cultivation. He devotes considerable time 
to the raising of live-stock, shipping one car- 
load of hogs annually, besides fattening some 
cattle. He owns a store building in Panama, 
lot 2, block 11. Mr. and Mrs. Newberry are 
members of the Latter-Day Saints church. 
Mrs. Newberry was a Miss Philena S. White, 
a daughter of Valentine and Martha Ann 
(Trout) White, and she and Mr. Newberry 
were united in marriage May 22, 1884. She 
was born in Sandwich, DeKalb County, Illi- 
nois, August 29, 1864. They are the parents 
of two children — James Vernon, born July 
10, 1885, and Paul Alma, born December 10, 
1887. Mr. Newberry affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. He has served as road super- 
visor for three terms, also as constable for 
one term. 

"^'■ i;, ' S »« S ' g "'»--' 

fHEODORE SONTAG, of Cass Town- 
ship, Shelby County, adopted America, 
as his country in 1872, in which year 
he emigrated from France. He was born in 
Loraine, France, June 24, 1850, and is a son 
of Matthias and Margaret Sontag. Until his 
fifteenth year he attended the public schools 
of his native country, and acquired a good 
education. After leaving school he engaged 
in farming, and continued this occupation 
until he was twenty-two years of age. Mr. 
Sontag has also had a taste of military life, 



BIOQRAPHWAL SKETCHES. 



623 



having served eleven months in the Fianco- 
Pnissian war, in the vicinity of Paris. In 
1872 he sailed for New York, and immedi- 
ately upon his arrival proceeded to Keokuk 
County, Iowa, and made his home there until 
1878; he then came to Shelby County, and 
bought eighty acres of wild land. He was 
very prosperous in all his undertakings, and 
now owns 240 acres of good farm land. It 
is well improved with buildings, a grove and 
an orchard, all showing industry and thrift. 
Mr. Sontag was married March 4, 1878, to 
Miss Mary Korth, a daughter of Jacob Koith, 
Sr., of Portsmouth; her native State is Wis- 
consin, but she was reared and educated in 
Keokuk County, Iowa. They are the parents 
of five children — Mary Margaret, Matthias 
Peter, John, Joseph, and Anna Catherine. 
Mr. Sontag is a leading Democrat of his 
township. He is a member of the Roman 
Catholic church, and is counted one of the 
reliable citizens of Cass Township. 




g^ILLIAM PETERS, of Washington 
'iWl'k'nk Township, was born in the Emerald 
Isle, March 13, 1839, and is the son 
of Peter and Betty (Moorhead) Peters, both 
of whom died in Ireland; they were the 
parents of ten children — John M., James, 
William, Agnes, wife of A. D. Tomb; Jane, 
wife of Robert Enert; Thomas, David, Peter, 
Patrick, Catherine, wife of Robert McKeever. 
Mr. Peters left his native soil and sailed for 
America in 1857. He first settled in Illinois, 
and there learned the brick-mason's trade. 
He worked at this until the breaking out of 
the war, when he went to defend the Hag of 
his adopted country. He enlisted in Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, August 27, 18G2, and 
served until July 28, 18G5, when he was 



discharged in Chicago. He took part in 
the following engagements — Mission Ridge, 
Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, and about 
Atlanta. He got a furlough to go home for 
election in 1864. Mr. Peters worked at his 
trade for three years in Montana in connec- 
tion with mining. In 1880 he was married 
to Miss Myra Tomb, a daughter of John and 
Frances (Shaw) Tomb. She is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born in 1843. Mr. 
Peters resided in Harrison County, Iowa, a 
few years, and eight years ago he returned to 
Illinois, but remained there only seven years. 
He then came to Shelby County and com- 
menced improving his farm. He is erecting 
a frame house that will cost him about $1,200. 
He affiliates with the Republican party, and 
is a member of the Masonic lodge and chap- 
ter. Mrs. Peters is a member of the Presby- 
terian church. 



li^ARL KEEHNER, farmer and stock- 
raiser, of Washington Township, Shelby 
County, is an American only by adop- 
tion, having been born in Baden, Germany, 
December 1, 1848. He is a son of Karl and 
Sophia (Keensman) Keehner, being the oldest 
of four children, names as follows — Karl, the 
subject of this biography; Mary, the wife of 
Jacob Veest, residing in i5aden, Germany; 
Catherine, the widow of Christian Miller, a 
resident of Baden, and Jacob, residing in 
America. Karl Keehner came to America 
in 1865, and remained in New York City one 
winter, working at the harness-maker's trade. 
The following summer he worked at the 
carpenter's trade and then came to Fayette 
County, Iowa, working by the month on a farm 
for three and a half years. In the spring of 
1871 he came from Fayette County to Shelby 
County, and for si.x years he worked by the 



634 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



month; he then rented land for one year, dur- 
ing that time boarding with N. J. Roundy. 
After renting one year he bonglit eighty acres 
of wild land which he improved and has since 
made his home. August 23, 1877, Mr. 
Keeliner was married to Miss Mary Kemer, a 
native of Iowa, born in the year 1860. The 
result of this union is five children — Victor, 
Cora, Frederick, Bessie and Effie. Mr. Keeh- 
ner built a small house at a cost of §100, 
which furnished a shelter for ten years; he 
then built a larger one at a cost of $1,200, 
which makes a very comfortable home. Mr. 
Keehner now owns 360 acres of laud. lie 
carries on general farming and stock-raising, 
fattening about 150 hogs annually, and from 
one to two car-loads of cattle. He is inclined 
to the principles of the Democratic party, and 
has served his township as road supervisor, 
and as school director. Mr. Keehner's parents 
remained in Germany; his fatiier died at the 
age of forty-nine years, and his mother sur- 
vives at age of sixty-five years. 



^I ' T ' g 

fHOMAS BROOMIIALL, farmer and 
jjipj^ stock-raiser of Monroe Township,Shelby 
County, is a native of the Hoosier State. 
He was born at Noblesville, Hamilton County 
Indiana, December 1, 1843, and is a son of 
James and Sarah (Smith) Brooinhall, natives 
of Pennsylvania and North Carolina respect- 
ively. The parents were married in Indiana, 
and Thomas was nine years old when they 
removed to Des Moines County, Iowa; there 
they were among the first settlers, and made 
that their home for five years. They then 
moved to Clark County, Missouri, and resided 
there until the breaking out of the war, when 
tliey returned to Iowa and settled in Jasper 
County. The father lived tliere tlie balance 
of his days, and the mother died in Shelby 



County April 25, 1886. Thomas Broomhall 
received very few educational advantages 
during his youth, but by study at home he 
has acquired a good practical education, and 
is a well-informed man. During the late Re- 
bellion he enlisted in August, 1862, at the 
call for 300,000 men, serving in the Ninth 
Iowa Cavalry, Company L. He was in the 
western army, and when he went out the 
regiment numbered 1,200 strong. In one 
year it was cut down to 700. Mr. Broomhall 
was honorably discharged February 3, 1866, 
at Little Rock, and finally discharged Febru- 
ary 14:, 1866, at Davenport, Iowa. He then 
returned to Jasper County, Iowa, and engaged 
in farming. May 17, 1874, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Broomhall to Miss Maria 
Hitcliler, a native of Jasper County, Iowa, 
and a daughter of William and Nancy (Miller) 
Hitchler. In 1877 they came to Shelby 
County and settled in Lincoln Township, and 
in 1883 came to their present farm, which is 
well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Broomhall are 
the parents of three children — Allie Leota, 
Charles William and Birdie Logan. Mr. 
Broomhall affiliates witli the Republican 
party. He has served as justice of the peace 
three terms with credit to himself and the 
satisfaction of the public. He and his family 
are among the worthy and estimable people 
of Monroe Township. 




l - h ^ l - l 

J. JOHNSON, M. D., was one of 
the first settlers of Shelby County, 
' Iowa, and lived there until his 
death, which occurred May 1, 1872. He was 
born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 
September 22, 1798, and was a son of John 
Johnson. He was reared and educated in his 
native State, and studied medicine under Dr. 
Mowry, a prominent and well-known phy- 



BIOORA PUICA /, S KETCHES. 



625 



sician of tliose times, residing at Wheeling, 
Virginia. Some time later Dr. Jolinson re- 
moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, locating 
at Bloomfield. He was married in Scioto 
County, Oliio, October 3, 1837, to Miss 
Mary Thompson, a daughter of James and 
Susanna (Malone) Thompson. After their 
marriage they lived in Pickaway County, at 
Wiiliamsport, where the Doctor engaged in 
tiie practice of his profession for nine years. 
In 1848 they started to Iowa with two horses, 
a wagon, and some household goods; they 
were on the way seven weeks, camping out at 
night, excepting iive nights when it rained. 
They settled in Louisa County, and remained 
there until -1852, when they came to Shelby 
County, being among the very first settlers. 
They arrived at Cuppy's Grove October 15, 
1852. They built a rude log cabin which at 
the end of one year was burned to tlie ground, 
with the most of its contents. A few neigh- 
bors came to the assistance of the Doctor, and 
another cabin was erected in one day. Atone 
time when her husband was ill, Mrs. Johnson 
took her rifle, she was a good shot, and killed 
a deer. Game, potatoes, and corn-meal were 
the only articles of food, and hospitality was 
dispensed with a liberal hand at tiie log cabin 
of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson. W. J. Johnson 
was one of the first physicians in tiie county, 
and many early settlers are indebted to him 
for both life and health. He improved a 
good farm of IGO acres, which is now owned 
by his widow. The place is well improved, 
having a good residence, and barn, and being 
under a high state of cultivation. Dr. and 
Mrs. Johnson were the parents of seven cliil- 
dren — John, who was killed in his twenty- 
third year; Bradford, who served in the late 
war; Sarah liodgers, Mary W., Witherton, 
James E., and Lucinda Morris. Tiie widow 
of Dr. Johnson was married September 22, 

1888, to Isaac F. Allen. No wqman in 
«o 



Shelby County has seen more of pioneer life 
than Mrs. Allen. She is a pleasant talker, 
and loves to tell of those early days. 

Ill »! ? ■ | l l { ■ ?! ■■ <■> 



HOMAS COOK, deceased, late of 
Cass Township, Shelby County, Iowa, 
was a well-known and highly respected 
citizen. He was born in Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, May 20, 1830, and is a son of 
Jesse and Anna (White) Cook. Jesse Cook 
was born February 15, 1800, and Anna Cook 
was born October 15, 1800. Anthony Cook 
came from England with William Penn; his 
son, John Cook, was the father of Jesse Cook, 
who was the father of Thomas Cook, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The Cooks were the first 
to discover coal in that part of Pennsylvania, 
and all were prominent in the coal raining of 
that region. The mines were known as the 
Cook vein of coal, which was discovered by 
John Cook when he was digging for a rab- 
bit. Thomas Cook was married in Pennsyl- 
vania in November, 1851, to Miss Mary 
Alloway, who was born in Bedford County, 
Pennsylvania, November 8, 1829. She was 
the daughter of Jonatiian and Elizabeth (An- 
derson) Alloway. They reared two children 
— Maggie Hopton, of Portsmouth, and John 
A. Cook. Thomas Cook improved eighty 
acres of land, upon whicli he lived until his 
death. In politics he was inclined to the 
principles of the Republican party. He was 
a member of the 1. O. O. F., Lodge No. 579, 
of Broad Top, Pennsylvania, and joinetj the 
lodge at Shelby in 1876. He was a chief 
patriot of the order. He represented his 
lodge at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, at the 
session of the State grand lodge; he also rep- 
resented the grand lodge at the centennial in 
Philadelphia in 1876. He represented the 
Slielby Lodge at Des Moines and Cedar Rap- 



620 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



ids, Iowa. Thomas Cook departed this life 
November 21, 1887; his wife died May 15, 
1886. She was a member of the Church of 
God. John A. Cook, an active citizen of 
Cass Township, was born at Broad Top, Penn- 
sylvania, July 24, 1857. He was reared in 
his birthplace, and received a good education 
at the Fulton Institute. He assisted his 
father in the coal business for some time, 
and came west when the family came to 
Shelby County. He spent one season in 
Wyoming Territory, near Fort Laramie, at 
which time he was in the employ of G. H. 
and J. F. Collins. At one time he was in 
the employ of W. F. Cleveland, in Shelby. 
He was married February 14, 1882, to Miss 
Nettie Horton, a daughter of David and 
Susan (Wishart) Horton. Siie was born in 
Pennsylvania, May 1, 1861, and spent a part 
of.lier girlhood in the place of her birth. On 
coming to Iowa her parents settled in Lucas 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents 
of three children living — Jesse W., Ora M. 
and Harry Ernest. Clare Chester died at the 
age of si.x months. Mr. Cook has unusual 
ability as a musician. He is a member of 
Rink's cornet band, and at the age of thirteen 
years was the leader of the Broad Top band. 
In politics he is Kepublican. He is a man 
well informed upon general topics, of a ge- 
nial disposition, and worthy the regard in 
which he is held. 

S ' '"t ' l 



iAYID DEEN, a farmer of Monroe 
Township, has been identified with the 
interests of Shelby County since 1875. 
He was born in McLean County, Illinois, 
August 14, 1836, and is the son of Benjamin 
and Sophrona (Fordice) Dean, natives of the 
State of Ohio. He was brought up in Mc- 
Lean County, being trained to the occupation 



ofafarmer,and attending thecommon schools. 
When he was sixteen years old the family re- 
moved to Johnson County, Iowa. Tiiere he 
grew to manhood, and February 26, 1857, he 
was married to Miss Hannah M. Pitt, a native 
of Burlington, Iowa, and a daughter of 
Samuel and Hannah M. (Kensell) Pitt, natives 
of Pennsylvania. In the late Rebellion Mr. 
Deen enlisted in the Twenty-second Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, but was soon discharged 
on account of disability. Qn coming to Shelby 
County in 1875 he located on 160 acres of 
wild land, which he has placed under good 
cultivation. He has erected good buildings 
on the place, and has planted a grove and an 
orchard of three acres. Mr. and Mrs. Deen 
are the parents of six children — William, re- 
siding in Jackson Township; Ben F., at home; 
Samuel P., living on section 12, Monroe 
Township; Emary S., Fred C. and Verna E., at 
home. Mr. Deen is a Republican and a mem- 
ber of the United Workmen. He is strictly 
honorable in business, and is highly esteemed 
by all who know him. 

M. .i ? . 3 ii ; . ^ i. •- 



lONSTAND LEINEN, a farmer of Cass 
Township, has been identified with the 
history of Shelby County since 1875. 
He was born in Germany, September 25, 
1847, and is a son of Matthias and Anna 
Mary (Buch) Leinen. Pie was a lad of eight 
years when his parents left their native soil 
to try their fortunes in the new world. After 
their arrival in America they came to Iowa, 
and settled in Keokuk County; there Con- 
stand grew to manhood, passing his youth in 
much the same fashion as other farmers' 
sons. He acquired a good education in the 
public schools of Keokuk County. Novem- 
ber 3, 1870, he was married in Keokuk 
County, Iowa, to Miss Gertrude Korth,daugh- 





C/^^i^?5»^iJ^.»^2^<^O^r^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



620 



ter of Jacob Korth, Sr., of Portsmouth. She 
was born in Germany, April 5, 1852, and 
when slie was three months old her parents 
removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, and 
when ten years old removed to Keokuk 
County, Iowa; there she grew to womanhood 
and received her education. When Mr. 
Leinen came to the county of Shelby he in- 
vested in eighty acres of wild land; he was 
very successful in his business, and to day 
owns 280 acres of well-improved land. He 
has a substantial dwelling house, a commodi- 
ous barn with a brick basement, and cribs 
for grain. He has planted a grove and an 
orchard, and made his place one of the best 
in the county. He raises large quantities of 
grain, and fattens a number of cattle and 
hogs annually. Mr. and Mrs. Leinen are the 
parents of six children — Matthias, Constance, 
Jacob, Josephine, Mary and Gertrude. The 
family are members of the Roman Catholic 
church. Mr. Leinen is one of the staunch 
Democrats of Cass Township. He is a man 
of intelligence, is well informed upon general 
topics, and one of the solid men of the county. 



jHILLIP ARMENTROUT, of Jackson 
Township, is one of the prominent and 
successful farmers of Shelby County. 
He was born in Richland County, Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and 
Mary (Hammond) Armentront, natives of 
Rockingham County, Virginia. Phillip was 
a babe twelve months old when his parents 
removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, where 
tliey lived five years. Li 1853 the family 
came to Cedar County, Iowa, being among 
the first settlers. There Phillip grew to man- 
hood, receiving the training of a frontier 
farmer's son, and the education afforded by 
the common schools. In 1872 he came to 



Shelby County, and located at Correction 
Grove, in Clay Township, with his brother 
George, who had come to the county in the 
fall of 1871. In 1877 Mr. Armentrout set- 
tled on his present farm, being one of the 
first settlers in that part of tlie county. His 
land was wild and unimproved, but years of 
labor have developed it into one of the best 
in Jackson Township; it contains 280 acres, 
and is well watered by strong, pure springs. 
There is a comfortable dwelling, situated in 
the midst of a beautiful grove of seven acres 
of maples, a fine orchard, a good barn, and 
all the mocJern conveniences for farming and 
stock-raising. Mr. Armentrout keeps large 
numbers of cattle, horses and swine of the 
best breeds. In the year 1876, December 28, 
the subject of this sketch was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Alice Ross, of Shelby Connty, 
a daughter of H. W. Ross, of Leroy Town- 
ship, Audubon County. By this union five 
sons have been born — Alonzo E., William 
Otho, Eldoris, Ralph Ellis, and Robert. Mr. 
Armentrout is a strong adherent to the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party. He has 
served as township trustee and as a member 
of the school board. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Alliance, and is one of the sub- 
stantial and reliable men of the county. 



?ACOB ARMENTROUT, the father of 
Philip Armentrout, was born June 18, 
1800, in Rockingham County, Virginia. 
His father died when he was four years of age, 
but his motlier and brothers assisted him to 
gain a fair education. In the month of Aug- 
ust, 1820, he moved with his brother to 
Richland Countj', Ohio, and after a short so- 
journ there to Knox County, Ohio, where he 
served a three years' apprenticeship to a cabi- 
net-maker; he then returned to Richland 



6:W 



niSTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. » 



County, and worked at liis trade for some 
time, and returned to Virginia. After a 
short time he went back to Ohio, and worked 
at his trade, bat not feeling satisfied he again 
returned to the State of his nativity, and 
there on April 17, 1825, he was married to 
Mary Ilammen, of Kockingham County. In 
the fall of 1826 they emigrated to Ohio and 
settled in Newville, where he plied his trade, 
held the office of jnstice of the peace for 
nine years, and that of postmaster for six 
years. After a residence of sixteen years in 
Newville, he purchased a farm two miles 
west of the place, on wliich he lived seven 
years, when he sold out and went to Kosci- 
usko County, Indiana; there he bought a 
farm which he cultivated live years, when he 
emigrated to Iowa in 1853 and bought a 
farm on which he passed the remainder ot 
his days. He held the office of justice of 
the peace in Cedar County for eight years. 
Jacob Armentrout's father, being the eldest 
of the family, under the old colonial laws in- 
herited the entire estate of his father, but he 
divided equally with his brothers and sisters. 
He left a wife, five sons and seven daughters 
to mourn his loss. He was highly esteemed 
by all who knew him, being gentlemanly, 
courteous, and oWiging to a fault. 

g - i >' t ' | »»> 



W. ALLOWAY is a well-known, en- 
terprising and successful agriculturist 
i* of Cass Township. He was born in 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Novem- 
ber 23, 1835, and is a son of Jonathan and 
Elizabeth (Anderson) Alloway, natives of 
Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native 
State, dividing his time between farm work 
and attending school. In 1855 the family 
removed to Johnson County, Iowa, and the 
parents remained there until death. G. W. 



Alloway was jnarried in Johnson County, 
April 13, 1862, to Miss Caroline Doner, a 
native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 
and a daughter of Daniel and Carrie (Gay- 
men) Doner, who were also natives of the 
State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Alloway lived 
in Johnson County until 1873, when he came 
to Cass County, Iowa, and made that his 
residence two years. At the expiration of 
that time he bought his present farm of 100 
acres, which was wild prairie land. He has 
since devoted himself to the improvement 
and cultivation of this place, and the results 
have been very gratifying. He has a com- 
fortable residence, surrounded by a fine grove, 
an orchard of three acres, a barn, and cribs 
for grain. He is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Alloway 
have two children — Mary Lizzie, wife of Fred 
Gill, residing near Portsmouth, and George 
W. Mr. Alloway votes the Republican ticket. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Canopy 
Lodge, of Shelby. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Chui'ch of God. They are highly 
esteemed, and are among the most respected 
citizens of Cass Township. 




iATTHIAS LEINEN is one of the 
leading German citizens of Cass 
Township. He has been identified 
with the interests of Shelby County since 
1870, and has done his share toward its de- 
velopment. He was born in Germany, No- 
vember 3, 1849, and is a son of Matthias 
Leinen, a resident of Cass Township. Mat- 
thias, Jr., was a cliild of six years when his 
parents emigrated to America, and settled in 
Keokuk County, Iowa. There he grew to 
manhood, and received a fair education in the 
public schools. November 25, 1874, he was 
married to Miss Anna Hammes, a native of 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



G31 



Germany, who came to America and settled 
in Iowa at the age of eigliteen years. She is 
a daughter of Michael Hainines, who died in 
Keokuk County, Iowa. Three of her broth- 
ers live in Cass Township — John, Frank and 
Mike Hammes. As before stated, our sub- 
ject came to Cass Township in 1876, and set- 
tled on eighty acres of land. He has been 
prosperous and now owns 200 acres of well- 
improved land; 120 acres lie in section 23, 
and eighty acres in section 22. He has a fine 
dwelling house, a good barn, a grove and an 
orchard, and is well equipped for carrying on 
farming. His farm is situated two miles east 
of Portsmouth, and is one of the best in the 
neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Leinen are 
the parents of six children — Mary, Anna, 
Michael, Maggie, Peter and Susan. The 
family are members of the Roman Catholic 
church, and are among the worthy citizens of 
the township. Politically Mr. Leinen affiliates 
with tlie Democratic party. 



^ENRY W. CRAIG, deceased, was born 
in New Jersey in 1824. Pie was mar- 
ried in Iowa Count}', Wisconsin, in 1846, 
to Miss Esther Landford, a native of Kuox 
County, Ohio, and a daughter of leaac L. and 
Sarah (Elwell) Landford. The father was a 
native of Virginia, and the mother was born 
in Maryland. Mrs. Craig was a girl twelve 
years of age when the family removed to Edgar 
County, Illinois; the father died in Illinois, 
and then the mother and children removed to 
La Fayette County, AVisconsin. During the 
great civil war Henry W. Oraig enlisted in 
1862, in the Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, Company C. Ue died of disease 
contracted when he was capsiijed in the Gulf 
of Mexico, December 23, 1863, leaving a wife 
and children to mourn his loss. Mrs. Craig 



lived in Grant County, Wisconsin, until 1874, 
when she removed to Shelby County, hoping 
to better her circumstances and give her 
children greater opportunities for doing for 
themselves. She bought a farm of 160 acres, 
and with the assistance of her children she has 
placed it under good cultivation, and has made 
many other valuable improvements. There 
are five children in Mrs. Craig's family — 
Henry Ben., of Jeftierson Township; Mary S., 
wife of William Loomis, of Grant County, 
Wisconsin; EmmaJane,wifeof George Ayers, 
of Shelby Township; A. W., John A., of 
Shelby County. Two children died — Lorinda 
Sabrina, aged seven years, and Sarah Ann, 
aged nine months. Mrs. Esther Craig is a 
consistent member of the Methodist Episco- 
])al church. A. W. Craig affiliates with the 
Republican party, and is a member of the 
United Workmen. 



BNER COPELAND, a farmer of Cass 
Township, Shelby County, was born in 
Sangamon County, Illinois, July 24, 
1880. He is a son of William and Sarah 
(Lucas) Copeland. The father was a native 
of North Carolina, and when a young man 
removed to Greene County, Ohio, where he 
met and married Sarah Lucas. In 1820 they 
removed to Sangamon County, Illinois, and 
lived there until death. Abner Copelaud 
was reared on a farm in his native county, 
and received the usual training in agri- 
cultural pursuits bestowed upoh a farmer's 
son. His education was obtained iu the pio- 
neer schools of that time. In December, 
1853, he was married to Malinda Hurks, who 
was boru in Logan County, Illinois. The re- 
sult of this union was one cliilil — Mary 
Malinda Ann, the wife of J. F. Haird, a 
well-known citizen of Cass Township. Mrs. 



633 



HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. 



Sarah Copeland died in 1854. Mr. Copeland 
was married to liis second wife March 7, 1857. 
She was Mary (Lucas) Buckles, a native of 
Logan County, Illinois. By this union six 
children were born, two of whom survive — 
Angeline Jane and Elias A. Mr. Copeland 
came to Cass Township in 1870, and bought 
wild land, which he improved and made his 
home for five years; he then sold it and re- 
turned to Illinois, and remained there two 
years. In 1877 he came back to Cass Town- 
ship and purchased 160 acres of land. He 
now owns 314 acres, all well improved. He 
has a comfortable residence, good barns, an 
orchard, and all the conveniences for carrying 
on a farm. Mr. Copeland supports the Demo- 
cratic party. He has served his township as 
trustee and as a member of the school board. 
He is a member of the Christian church, and 
is one of the highly respected citizens of Cass 
Township. 






J. CURTIS, a successful agriculturist 
of Monroe Township, has been a resi- 
li® dentof Shelby County since 1881. He 
was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, 
M^rch 17, 1858, and is a son of Wellington 
and Eliza (Bows) Curtis. The father was born 
in the State of New York, and is one of the 
early settlers of Rock Island County. The 
mother was born in Ireland, and was brought 
to Rock Island County when a child. Welling- 
ton Curtis and wife had nine children, of whom 
R. J. was the third. He was reared to the 
occupation of a farmer, and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools of Rock Island 
County, Illinois. In 1881 Mr. Curtis came 
to Shelby County and settled on eighty acres 
of land in section 14, which he sold in 1885, 
when he bought his present farm of J. H. 
Philips, who had broken it out. Mr. Curtis 



has put the other improvements on the place, 
and has made a very desirable farm. He has 
built a story and a half frame residence, barns, 
sheds and cribs; he has also planted a grove 
and an orchard. On October 8, 1844, Mr. 
Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. 
Smith, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Lambert) Smith. The father was born in 
Ohio, and the mother in Indiana; both were 
brought to the State of Iowa in childhood. 
They are the parents of eight children, of 
whom Ida M. is the oldest. She was born in 
Dallas County, Iowa, July 25, 1862, and re- 
ceived a good education, partly in the Adel 
High School. She is an accomplished mu- 
sician, and has made a profession of teaching 
music since 1879. Siie has been a resident 
of Shelby County since 1874. Mr. and Mrs. 
Curtis are members of the Christian church 
of Harlan. In politics he inclines to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party. They are in 
the prime of life, and have won an enviable 
position in the community in which they live. 



— ■ "^^ • 3 »' t ' ^" '" 

^UMPHREY G. NICHOLS, a prominent 
pioneer of Lincoln Township, was born 
in New York State, Essex County, Jan- 
uary 30, 1832. He is a son of Aaron and 
Eleanor (Cole) Nichols, both New England- 
ers by birth. Humphrey G. was a babe when 
his parents went to Orleans County, Vermont, 
where he grew to manhood and received his 
education. Mr. Nichols was united in mar- 
riage October 29, 1854, to Miss Caroline 
Hanson, a native of New Hampshire, and a 
daughter of Jei'emiah and Eunice (Furnel) 
Hanson, also natives of New Hampshire. In 
1856 Mr. and Mrs. Nichols emigrated to Iowa, 
settling in Chickasaw County, where they lived 
one winter. They then went to Floyd County, 
where they bought land, and lived for three 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



633 



years; their next residence was in Winnebago 
County, Iowa, where they remained one year. 
Tliey then went to Decatur County, Iowa, and 
from this place to Polk County, where Mr. 
Nichols worked at farming and in a saw-mill. 
They then came to Shelby County, Iowa, Mr. 
Nichols driving a yoke of steers and a yoke 
of cows, and Mrs. Nichols driving the other 
cattle and sheep behind the wagon. They 
were the first to settle in Lincoln Township, 
there being only two or three houses built at 
that time, the fall of 1865. Mr. Nichols has 
a well-improved farm of 160 acres, a comfort- 
able house, a barn, a grove and an orchard, 
all showing the thrift and prosperity of the 
owner. He and his wife are the parents of 
three children — Annette, wife of Isaac Par- 
sons, of Audubon County; Julia, wife of 
Stephen Parsons, of Audubon County; and 
Leaphey, wife of Uriah Parsons, of Audubon 
County; they lost one child by death. Our 
subject casts his political suffrage with the 
Kepublican party. He bears his years lightly, 
is plain of speech and manner, and is num- 
bered with the reliable men of the county. 



J. CALDWELL, one of the best known 
of Jackson Township's intelligent and 
* active farmers, has been a resident of 
Shelby County since 1865. He was born in 
Hancock County, Indiana, July 23, 1837, and 
is a son of Elijah and Nancy (Wilson) Cald- 
well, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky 
respectively. The father was brought to 
Kentucky when a babe by his parents. After 
his marriage Mr. Caldwell and his wife set- 
tled in Hancock County, Indiana, where T. 
J. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, 
and educated in the common schools. At the 
early age of seventeen years he was seized 
with the desire to see the west, and in 1854 
he came alone to Iowa and settled in Jasper 



County, where he remained until 1859; he 
then removed to Polk County, Iowa, and made 
that his home for one year. In 1861 he de- 
termined to see the western coast of this 
country, and started with a team and wagon, 
his wife and three children, to California; he 
was four months on the road. His wife died 
in Eldorado County, California, leaving three 
young children. Mr. Caldwell engaged in 
freighting for some time, and then returned 
to Iowa. In 1864 he was married to his 
present wife, who was Miss Lucinda Carmine, 
of Mahaska County. In 1865, as before 
stated, he came to Shelby County and settled 
three miles northeast of Harlan; there he 
built a log-cabin, in which hospitality was 
never lacking. He bought and improved a 
farm of 300 acres, which he sold in 1883, and 
removed to Jackson Township; there he pur- 
chased a farm of 356 acres, which he has 
placed under good cultivation. He has a fine 
residence, built in modern style, and well 
furnished; it is pleasantly situated in the 
midst of shade and ornamental trees, and is 
a very attractive home. He has buildings 
for the protection and care of live-stock, and 
all the modern conveniences for stock-raising. 
By his first marriage Mr. Caldwell had three 
children — Elijah, William H. and Sarah Ida. 
By his second marriage three children were 
born — Charles, John and Edward. Mr. Cald- 
well is the pioneer stock-shipper of Shelby 
County, having shipped the first stock from 
Avcica, and also from Harlan. He is one of 
the best judges of live-stock in the county. 
The first Baptist church of the county was 
organized in Mr. Caldwell's log cabin, Mrs. 
Caldwell being one of the active members. She 
is a member of the Baptist church at Bow- 
man's Grove. Mr. Caldwell is in the prime 
of life, has traveled extensively, is genial in 
his manners, and has many friends among the 
citizens of Jackson Township. 



HISTORY OF 



Audubon County, Iowa, 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 




JHEY have moved awaj out into west- 
ern Iowa," is a phrase which does not 
now carry with it the meaning it did, 
when BO commonly spoken, a quarter of a cent- 
ury ago, when the hopeful and adventurous 
pioneer had left his older home in some one 
of the thickly settled eastern States, and 
taken a " claim " in western Iowa, which was 
then but little less than a desolate prairie- 
land and wilderness. At that date no net- 
work of railways, providing a royal highway 
over which the iron-hearted, steaming monster 
could speed his rapid way by day and by 
night, year in and year out, had been pro- 
jected. The prairie sod was then unturned; 
the rivers and creeks were then nnbridged, 
and almost impassable roads were the rule^ 
everywhere. Ox and mule trains, en route 
for Pike's Peak and California, had for a few 
years passed through this section and specu- 
lated, while camped along some one of its 
many beautiful little creeks, upon the future 
of this charming domain, which the pioneers 
have chosen to call Audubon County. But 
vague, very vague, indeed, was their compre- 
hension of the richness of the soil and the 
wealth they were leaving behind when they 



passed on toward the setting sun, in search 
of homes and happiness. 

A few brave sons of toil had the hardi- 
hood to face the privations incident to front- 
ier life, and come on in advance of railroads, 
high culture and fancy styles ! They brought 
no better title to the lands they claimed than 
that they were numbered among American 
citizens, which had already come to mean 
much to him who sought to build for himself 
a home with naught save hard days' work. 
" They came, they saw, they conquered," and 
soon the ear of civilized life caught the in- 
spiration and wended its way on to this goodly 
country, where men at once grew healthy and 
wealthy. The settlers multiplied; the soil 
produced far more than these first settlers 
could consume, and it was not long before 
capitalists saw money could be no better ex- 
pended than in giving an outlet for the annu- 
ally increasing crops, by the construction of 
systems of railroads. So it may be said that 
southwestern Iowa is marked by two special 
eras — one the first settlement and the other 
the advent of the railroads. It is the pur- 
pose of this work to trace out the historic 
events from the date of the first settlers, on 



638 



HISTOBY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. - 



down throngh the railroad era, noticing the 
advancement on all hands, from the tirststep 
to the present day — in brief, to survey tiie 
original, primitive wilderness, and the same 
domain after having been transformed into a 
garden spot, assuring the reader the contrast 
is, indeed, marked. The first thing to be 
taken into account is how this section of Iowa 
was left, when given over to man by the kind- 
ness of a wise Creator. We now come to 
speak of the 

GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL FEATURES. 

The Post-tertiary formations everywhere 
occupy the surface, burying completely from 
view the older geological formations. The 
drift deposits are but imperfectly known, 
appearing only here and there at frequent in- 
tervals from beneath the more recent bluff 
formations. The drift, however, is so deeply 
covered by the blufif deposits that it has no 
influence in modifying the soil, even in the 
valleys. The soil could not be more fertile, 
except so rendered by artificial means. Ce- 
reals and corn are peculiarly adapted to the 
soil of this region, whose fineness and depth 
afford a very thorough under drainage and 
at the same time it is retentive of sufficient 
moisture, even in unusually dry seasons, to 
insure at least a medium crop. 

From the summit of the great " divide," 
in the northern part of the county, a inagnili- 
cent panorama of the surrounding country 
is commanded. In the west, southwest and 
south the eye scans the distant horizon which 
is bounded by a lofty prairie barrier, envel- 
oped in the uncertain shimmering haze of a 
summer day, and seeming like a vast rim 
bounding the further outline of an immense 
shallow basin, whose middle portion is occu- 
pied by gracefully undulating prairie swells 
which rise and fall, one beyond the other, 
until distance blends the whole mass into 



lines of light and shadow. When one com- 
mands a view like the above, outstretched 
over a radius of thirty or forty miles, embrac- 
ing a region, every acre of which is the finest 
arable land in the world, for the first time he 
gains an intelligent impression and a just ap- 
preciation of the grandeur of these undulating, 
treeless plains. The county is fairly esti- 
mated to contain 1,600 acres of timber. 
Hamlin's Grove and the forest near the vil- 
lage of Exira are the largest in extent of sur- 
face. Along the larger streams, narrow belts 
of timber occur at intervals, and upon the 
upland slopes, considerable areas are occupied 
by growths of burr and red oak. 

The general surface is quite rolling, yet it 
is seldom injured for agricultural purposes by 
" washing." It is entirely free from ponds 
or sloughs. The East JSishnabotna Kiver 
rises in Carroll County, and flows southward 
through Audubon County, making a wide 
valley of unsurpassed fertility, that rises in 
gentle slopes from the bed of the stream to 
the upland prairies, which stretch away in 
graceful swells. The valleys of the smaller 
streams present the same features, while the 
high prairie land between these streams is, 
indeed, beautiful. The soil in the valley is 
a dark loam, mixed with a productive sand, 
while the " divides " are composed of a blnfiT 
deposit. Besides the East IMishnabotna Kiver, 
which is the main stream of the county, may 
be mentioned its branches — David's Creek, 
Troublesome Creek, Crooked Creek, Buck 
Creek, Little Indian Creek, in the southern 
and eastern part of the county, and the " East 
Branch " of West Nishnabotna River, In- 
dian Creek, Bull Run and Bine Grass Creek, 
all of which are in the western part of Au- 
dubon County and flow toward the si)uth and 
west, into Shelby County. Every township 
is drained with running water of the best 
and purest quality. 



nisTonr of audubon countt. 



039 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 



I ARLY in 1851 iive men, named Nathan- 
iel Hamlin, James Hamlin, Samitel 
Ogden, William Powell and David Ed- 
gerton, left Mahaska County, Iowa, to seek 
homes in the western part of the State. Hav- 
ing heard of the tronble among the Mormons 
at Council Bluffs they first made that an ob- 
jective point, but upon their arrival were not 
pleased with the appearance of the country; 
lience they made an extended tour up the 
Missouri Kiver, prospecting in several of the 
western counties of the State; but still being 
unable to find a desirable location they turned 
their faces eastward again, and came as far 
back as what is now known as Troublesome 
Creek, in Audubon County, at a point a few 
miles above its junction with the East Nisli- 
nabotna River, where they remained several 
days, quite well pleased with the country. 
They followed the stream up to section 35, 
township 78, range 35, west, and there 
camped for the night. The following morn- 
ing (the latter part of the month of March, 
1851), Natiianiel Hamlin staked off his pres- 
ent valuable farm, through which Trouble- 
some Creek meanders. The first stake driven 
for this purpose was the first blow toward 
the actual settlement of Audubon County. 
Mr. Hamlin resolved here to make his home 
— his fortune — and here to remain the re- 
mainder of his days. There was not a white 
settler within twenty miles of the place; he 
hastened home and made preparations for 



moving. He took his oldest daughter, ten 
years of age, and left his family behind; and 
with a monstrous Pennsylvania wagon, drawn 
by seven yoke of cattle, and a breaking plow 
and accouterments, he started for his new 
home among the wolves and deer wliich then 
ran in packs and herds of scores and fifties. 
The spring was forward for this latitude. 
In March the new grass had grown several 
inches, and a large herd of deer, almost as 
tame as sheep, grazed on the bottom lands 
where now stands the district school-house. 
On the 6th day of May Mr. Hamlin and Iiis 
daughter reached their destination, accompa- 
nied by a young man named John Hoggard 
and his sister Elizabeth Ann, who took a 
claim a half mile north of Hamlin's; also 
Arthur Decker, who claimed a tract in Big 
Grove, near the place where Louisville was 
afterward platted. Upon entering the county 
the pioneer party had to halt on account of 
high water of the Middle River. Logs were 
cut and a bridge constructed, over which they 
crossed. This was beyond question the first 
bridge ever built by a white man in this sec- 
tion of the country. Notwithstandinor the 
year 1851 was the rainiest (np to the middle 
of June) ever known in the State, Mr. Ham- 
lin set about the erection of a rude half- 
hewed log cabin, and when this was accom- 
plished started his breaking team, consisting 
of seven yoke of oxen, and began to turn a 
twenty-four inch furrow with a rod plow, the 



640 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.^ 



first soil ever overturned for agricultural pur- 
poses within Audubon County. By July 1 
he had succeeded in breaking forty-two acres, 
all of which was planted to " sod com." 
Seven acres of this virgin soil was sowed to 
buckwheat among the corn, besides a large 
amount of turnips — three crops, all planted 
on the same land. Cultivation was unnec- 
essary, as weeds never flourish on newly 
broken land. So when autumn came Mr. 
Hamlin cut up the sod corn, and carried it 
from the field, then cut his buckwheat, which 
proved a very excellent crop, both as to 
quantity and to quality. Then, after the 
gathering-in of two bountiful harvests from 
the same field, he pulled an abundant crop of 
the finest turnips ever grown in Iowa. The 
potatoes which grew underneath the sod 
turned that year were so pressed down by 
the heavy covering of sod that when they 
wei-e ready to dig it was found that they 
were excellent in quality and size, but were 
all flattened, presenting a very curious sight. 
May and June were extremely wet, so that 
the streams were away out of their natural 
banks. It was for this reason that the Uni- 
ted States surveyors, who at that time were 
running the township lines, named one of the 
worst streams Troublesome Creek. 

The prairie-breaking season having ended, 
and his crop being planted, the pioneer Ham- 
lin yoked his teams, and started back for the 
remainder of his family. Preparations were 
speedily made upon his return, and soon the 
luiwe " prairie schooner " received its cargo 
and passengers, and with prow directed 
toward the setting sun, hove into port on the 
13th day of September, and the weary found 
home and comfort. The season had been 
very favorable, and a bountiful crop was in 
waitin" to bless the first husbandman's labors. 
The following year (1852) brought with it 
its blessings. The mail route from Fort 



Des Moines was established through to Coun- 
cil Bluffs by the way of " Hamlin's Grove," 
thus turning all the Pike's Peak and Pacific 
coast travel to the very door-yard of the first 
settler in Audubon County. The mail serv- 
ice soon established a postofiice at Mr. Ham- 
lin's place, making him postmaster. His 
first commission was from Zach Taylor, Presi- 
dent of the United States. He served until 
after the election of Abraham Lincoln. Much 
connected with the early settlement of the 
county will be found in the biographical 
sketclies of pioneers, especially of " Natty " 
Hamlin, as he is so commonly called. 

From the most reliable source we herewith 
publish a list of names of those who settled 
within the limits of the county prior to 1861, 
without regard to their location; each name 
will be of interest to some one: N. Hamlin, 
J. S. Johnson, Ruben Carpenter, William 
Carpenter, J. M. Donald, James Donald, W. 
H. H. Bowen, George Cannon, M. Sharfi", 
Mark Heath, Milton Heath, A. Heath, Miles 
Beers, P. I. Whitted, Samuel Hockman, James 
Poor, Avery Belcher, Lyman Jordan, R. A. 
Oliphant, Hiram Beck, Joseph Kirk, I. Hal- 
lock, Sr., N. Wiggins, George Sharp, L. B. 
Montgomery, Charles Wiggins, Bradley Beers, 
D. Barlow, Daniel Crane, John Crane, J. W. 
Dodge, B. G. Dodge, Samuel Smith, D. L. 
Anderson, B. Milliman, A. B. Houston, Rich- 
ard Gault, Edson Herrick, Erbane Herrick, 
A. J. Leflingwell, H. F. Lefiingweli, William 
Leffingwell, Curtis Herrick, Charles Chapin, 
Frank Burnham, H. J. Green, William Hol- 
craft, William Walker, I. V. D. Lewis, T. S. 
Lewis, R. M. Lewis, W. F. Ballard, Dr. S. M. 
Ballard, J. M. Hubbard, Lou Arnold, Jona- 
than Decker, I. S. Thomas, R. C. Meek, L. 
Early, A. Cooper, J. R. Thacker, Frank 
Hobbs, Lyman Bush, J. Hammer, William 
Norton, John S. Jenkins, Wallace Pearl, 
Josh. Pearl, William Tringle, Alvan Herrick 



HISTOliY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



641 



J. A. Hallock, I. p. Hallock, Jr., Samuel 
Johnson, B. Sylvester, Palmer Rodgers, Henry 
Kinkade, John Williams, Oliver Smith, David 
Beers, William Stone, George Colder, John 
Colder, James Hewlett, Samuel Howlett, 
William Howlett, William Nelson, Charles 
Van Garder, Colbert Strahl, J. S. Jobs, Will- 
iam Pangburn, George Dunbar, John Beers, 
William Wiggins, Samuel Smith (English 
Smith), Washington Bartlett, Lee Bartlett, 
John Patterson, R. S. Hallock, Thomas Rodg- 
ers, Benjamin Hiatt, William Hardy, G. N. 
Jones, J. M. Donald, David Edgerton, Jacob 
Sifford, Norman Archer, Ace Workman, 
Peter Barlow, "Judge" Benedict, Z. A. 
Phelps, James Pixley, John McConnell, Coit 
Herrick, Henry Myers, Charles Kemp, Thomas 
Rowland, J. C. Brown, John Van Houghton, 
"Tip" Herrick, E. Herrick, J. D. Herrick, 
Orleans Jones, Thomas Hire, John Mont- 
gomery, Levi Montgomery, George Mont- 
gomery, William Thompson, Ralph Eddy, E. 
Birge, James Birge, S. PL Perry, William 
Bush, W. P. Hamlin, Samuel Hopkins, John 
Countryman, Chancy Ward, Ruben Kenyon, 
Messrs. Wilkins, Perkins and Kemp, Steven 
Deborde, William Powell, S. L. Day, Alvin 
Decker, A. M. Graves, O. Outtout, Thomas 
Truman, James Mounts and Robert Stans- 
berry. This makes a total of 126 actual set- 
tlers, who were old enough to cast a vote, 
living in Audubon County prior to the Re- 
bellion. 

Thefirst men to settle in the north part of the 
county were men named Gage and Wilkinson, 
who settled on section 36, township 79, range 
34, west, in what is now Greeley Township. 
Their settlement dates from the spring of 
1852. The next to try his lot in the unde- 
veloped wilds of the county was Joseph Will- 
iams, who located on the northeast quarter of 
section 1, township 81, range 34, west. This 
was in 1859; be remained about two years, 



during which time he and the family almost 
starved. He then moved to Oregon Territory. 

FIEST EVENTS. 

The tirst actual settler in Audubon County 
was Nathaniel Hamlin, who first came to the 
county in March, 1851, staked out his claim, 
returned to eastern Iowa and brought one 
daughter back with him in April. The en- 
tire family came September 10, 1851. 

The first deed placed on record in Audubon 
County was a conveyance of thirty-five acres 
of land by Samuel B. Hopkins to John S. 
Jenkins, for the consideration of $100. This 
land was a part of the southeast quarter of 
section 17, township 78, range 35, west. This 
instrument, it seems from the record of deeds 
"A," was given August 16, 1854, and ac- 
knowledged before V. M. Conrad, a justice 
of the peace. It was filed for record May 
22, 1855, but was not actually placed on 
record until August 8, 1855. This delay was 
not occasioned by the press of business, but 
simply neglect. 

The first village platted within the county 
was Dayton, tiie same being executed July 9, 
1855. 

The first birth was that of a child born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Decker, some time early 
in December, 1851. The motlier died in 
childbirth, and was the first one to die in 
Audubon County of which there is any 
record. It will be remembered that nothintr 
could be obtained in way of lumber, furni- 
ture, etc., at that date in these parts, and so 
when this pioneer woman's death was an- 
nounced, the three or four men outside of 
the Decker household met together and 
planned for a coffin and the burial of tlie un- 
fortunate woman. Finally Nathaniel Ham- 
lin, James Kinkade and John S. Jenkins 
made a coSin (such as it was) out of bass 
wood puncheon, which they split from a green 



642 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



tree they felled, and in this rude box they 
placed the deceased. They also served as the 
funeral cortege and pall-bearers, carrying the 
rough slab-like casket to a point just north of 
the place where Daniel Miller's house now 
stands; here it was deposited in the earth; 
but many years ago its resting place was mo- 
lested by the sharp plowshare. Mr. Decker 
left the county soon after his companion's 
death — hence the uncared for grave of the 
first person who died within the county. 

The first birth of a child who now lives in 
the county was that of Mrs. Martha Jane 
(Hamlin) Calp. Siie was born September 6, 
1852, and was the second person born in the 
county. 

The first marriage in Audubon County was 
tliat of George L. Kellogg to Susannah 
Kingon, April 16, 1856, Urbane Herrick 
officiating. 

The first log house was raised by N. Ham- 
lin, the first settler, in the early spring of 
1851, on section 35, township 78, and range 
35, west. It was sixteen feet square. 

The first frame house was built by John 
Countryman and afterward sold to D. Glass- 
gow. 

The first frame barn was raised for B. 
Milliman, July, 1857. 

The first mill in the county was the one 
erected by Green, Chapin and Hobbs, at 
Louisville, in the summer of 1856; it was a 
combined flour and saw mill, operated by 
steam-power. 

The first Fourth of July celebration was 
held in 1856, on one of the highest elevations 
of ground in the county, and at a point about 
two miles northwest of N. Hamlin's residence. 
Itwasthebeginningof the Buchanan-Fremont 
presidential campaign, and a liberty-pole 
was erected from which floated the "Stars and 
Stripes." 

The flag hung there for souie time after- 



ward and was seen at great distances by the 
emigrants, who slowly wended their way 
westward. It may here be stated that there 
were but few Fremont men in these parts — 
all voted for James Buchanan and good old 
Democracy. This pioneer celebration was 
not a grand afiTair, yet it showed a disposition 
to keep in remembrance the day of National 
Independence. The only music upon this 
occasion was that furnished by Mrs. Dr. Tres- 
cott with her old-fashioned melodeon. Anvils 
were fired, but the speeches were " short and 
sweet." However, a good time was had by 
all, as a barbecue was held, consisting of 
roasted animals and game, such as the new 
county then abounded in. 

The first county fair was held on section 
15, township 78, range 35, in 1859, and one 
of the laughable features was the putting of 
a yoke of oxen in harness belonging to a 
span of horses present. The ox team was 
then " trotted " about the ring, which was but 
an imaginary track. 

The first newspaper was issued in Decem- 
ber, 1860, and called the Audubon County 
IHonecr. (See Press Chapter.) 

The first school-house was a log building 
erected in 1857 by JSI. Hamlin and D. M. 
Harris, who furnished the only scholars for the 
pioneer school — nine pupils was the largest 
enrollment ! Miss Ellen ]SIt)rthgrave, who 
became the wife of Albert "Wakefield, was the 
first to teach; she received $16 per month. 
This was not a free-school, but the private 
enterprise of Messrs. Hamlin and Harris. 

The first religious services in the county 
were conducted in the Hamlin Grove log 
school-house, by the Methodist people, about 
1858. 

The first church edifice was the Congrega- 
tional church at Exira, built in 1870. 

The first postoffice was established in 1852 
at the residence of N. Hamlin, who was the 



HISTORT OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



643 



first postmaster. He lield the same nine 
years, until the Republican party came into 
power and President Abraham Lincoln re- 
moved him for party reasons, it is said. The 
stages at that time left Des Moines and 
Council Bluffs each Monday morning and met 
at " Uncle Natty Hamlin's" on Wednesday 
of each week. 

Tlie first man to work at the blacksmithing 
business was (aside from Mr. Hamlin, who 
at that day was master of all trades as a mat- 
ter of necessity !) Charles Marsh, who in 
company with Hamlin run a blacksmith shop 
in 1855-'56. They mined their own coal in 
Guthrie County, at Bear Grove. Their 
principal business was sharpening plowshares 
fop the newcomers. 

The first shoemaker was John S. Johnson, 
who came in 1856. 

The first regular harness-maker was D. E. 
Soar, who located at Exira in 1870. 

The first goods were sold by N. Hamlin, 
who hauled the stock, from time to time, 
from Council Bluffs and Des Moines. His 
children (now married folksj will remember 
the times, as they used to count on getting 
a liberal supply of candy and sweetmeats 
upon th? arrival of a new stock of goods ! 

Soon after this Mr. Hamlin, in company with 
H. Beck, opened a general store at the newly 
laid out town of " Audubon City " — now 
defunct. 

Among the earliest attorneys were D M. 
Harris (county judge) and D. S. Andrews. 

The first court was held by Judge Sears at 
HainliTi's log school-house, in November, 
1855. The jury had to retire to the grove, 
close to the school-house, and there decide the 
case, according to " law and evidence," of 
course. The grand jury of that first term of 
court found only one true bill, and that was 
against Thomas S. Lewis for the illegal sale 
of liquor — prohibition even at an early day! 



The oflicors of this court were: E. H. Sears, 
Judge; B. M. Hiatt, Sherifi" ; John W. Beers, 
Clerk. The following served as the first petit 
jurors: G. W. Taylor, Mark Heath, Hiram 
Perkins, James H. Donnell, William Walker, 
William Carpenter, George Wire, Iluben 
Kingon, B. Milliman, Robert Stansberry, 
James Mounts. 

The grand jury was as follows: David L. 
Anderson (foreman), Charles E. Marsh, W. 
H. H. Bowen, J. L. Frost, John Countryman, 
Ed. Gingerly, John Crane, John Seift'ord, 
Allen McDonnell, J. S. Johnson, N. Hamlin, 
J. S. Kirk, Richard M. Lewis. 

The first civil action was against a Meth- 
odist preacher, against whom judgment was 
obtained. The title of the case was " Blanchet 
S. Shacklett vs. Richard C. Meek." 

The first election in Audubon County, aftfT 
its real organization, was held April 7, 1855, 
at Hamlin's school-house. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Audubon County was organized by order 
of Judge Benedict, then of Cass County, in 
the spring of 1855, the first election being 
ordered and l>eld April 2, of that year. Its 
name is derived from the eminent naturalist, 
John James Audubon, who died the year in 
which this county was organized. Originally 
it was a part of Keokuk County, but in 1851 
was organized as a se])arate county, and had, 
in addition to its present domain, the tier of 
townships to the eastward, now being a part 
of Guthrie County. In 1853 Audubon was 
attached to Cass County as one civil town- 
ship. After its real organization, in 1855, it 
still remained as one township until, by pe- 
tition to the board of supervisors (consisting 
of one member, as the law provided for one 
from each civil township), it was subdivided 
into three townships, June 3, 1862. These 
townships were named Audubon, E.xira and 



644 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. * 



Oakfield. In 1873, at the April session of 
the board of supervisors, five more civil town- 
ships were created, viz. : Douglas, Greeley, 
Hamilton, Leroy and Viola. October 20, 
1874, Cameron was created; September 7, 

1874, Melville was created; September 6, 

1875, Sharon was created; June 5, 1876, Lin- 
coln was created. The above sub-divisions 
constitute the present twelve civil townships 
of Audubon County, and each is a regular con- 
gressional square township, being numbered 
and described as follows: Audubon com- 
prises township 78, range 34: Cameron, 
township 81, range 35 ; Douglas, township 
80, range 36; Exira, township 78, range 35; 
Greeley, township 79, range 34; Hamlin, 



township 79, range 35; Leroy, township 
80, range 35; Lincoln, township 81, range 
30; Melville, township 80, range 34; Oak- 
field, township 78, range 36; Sharon, town- 
ship 79, range 36; Viola, township 81, 
range 34. 

As now constituted, Audubon County is 
in the third tier of counties from the Mis- 
souri River, and the fourth from the south- 
ern line of the State. It contains an area of 
about 446 square miles, and is bounded on 
the north by Carroll County, on the east by 
Guthrie County, on the south by Cass 
County, and on the west by Shelby County. 
It is within townships 78, 79, 80 and 81, and 
in ranges 34, 35 and 36, west of the fifth P. M. 




UI8T0RT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



H4S 



CHAPTER III. 



COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 



jUDUBON County, which was estab- 
lished in 1851, attached to Cass County 
as one civil township in 1853, was 
finally organized a separate county in 1855. 
In May, 1855, the court of the judicial dis- 
trict in which Cass County was situated ap- 
pointed three gentlemen as a committee to 
locate a county seat for the newly made 
county of Audubon. This committee con- 
sisted of T. N. Johnson, of Adair County; 
T. Bryan, of Guthrie County, and C. E.Wood- 
ard of Cass County. The two last named 
qualified, and on June 20, the same year, 
made their report, which was approved, as 
havinf? established the county seat on the 
northwest quarter of section 22, township 
78, range 35, and named such site " Day- 
ton." The first sale of lots was effected No- 
vember 22, D. M. Harris being county judge 
at the time. The first town lot was sold to 
J. L. Frost for 50 cents. The sale was ad- 
journed until June, 1856, when eighty-five 
lots were sold at prices ranging from $1.50 to 
$9 each. 

The first government of the county was 
under the old county judge system — the one- 
man power. The management of county 
affairs thus being left in the hands of a single 
officer, it became his duty to locate roads, 
levy taxes, build bridges, court-houses, jails, 
etc., and was amenable to no one except on 
the day of election! Notwithstanding this 
almost unlimited power and authority and 



the large amount of public money left at his 
disposal, we do not find that the trust was 
frequently betrayed. During the whole time 
such office existed in Iowa there were but 
two or three cases wherein the judge ever de- 
faulted. It is a remarkable fact that as a 
rule the county judges always were held in 
high esteem by tlie people and usually kept 
in such office for a long term of years. 

The gentleman first exalted to the honors 
and emoluments of this office, in Audubon 
County, was T. S. Lewis, who was elected in 
the spring of 1855, and served until the fall 
election, when D. M. Harris became county 
judge, serving two terms. To give the reader 
a more comprehensive view of the county we 
shall follow the history by years and terms of 
office, giving the various acts of county offi- 
cials. Thus in order for one to trace out any 
one given feature it will be well to read all 
that is said on " county government." For 
example, the matter relating to county-seat 
changes is not confined to any one year, but 
necessarily runs through a term of more than 
twenty years. It will be well to remember 
that the government of Audubon County is 
marked by two eras — first, the county judge 
system, and; secondly, the board of county 
supervisors system ; the latter dates from Jan- 
uary 1, 1861; all official acts of public policy 
prior to this date were the work and wisdom 
of the county judge. 
The first matter of much consequence 



Mr, 



EISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY." 



which came before His Honor D. M. Harris 
was that of calling an election for the pur- 
pose of determining whether the county seat 
should remain at Dayton or be removed to 
Exira, the same having been petitioned for 
by many citizens. So, at the general election 
held April 7, 1856, the question was sub- 
mitted, but did not carry; so the county seat 
of Audubon County was legally known as 
" Dayton " until April, 1861, when the propo- 
sition to remove to Exira carried by a small 
majority, and the seat of justice was removed. 
It may be stated, however, that Dayton was 
only in name, as the real county seat was at 
the residence of either the county judge or 

clerk wherever one could tind the '■'■Minute 

Book '-4' — Auduhoa County;" there one 
would find all the county seat there was prior 
to its establishment at Exira. 

The county judge's book shows that in 
1858 the tax levy was: County tax, four 
mills; State tax, one and one-half mills; 
school tax, one and one-half mills; road tax, 
one mill; making a grand total of eight mills 
on a dollar of all taxable property. The 
bounty on wolf scalps was at that time $1.50, 
and the records show that large numbers were 
killed, of both prairie and timber wolves. 

The principal work of the county judge 
was the tax levy, settlement with the county 
treasurer, and taking care of road and bridge 
work, which was no small task. Following 
D. M. Harris came A. B. Houston as county 
judcre, serving from January 1, 1860, to Janu- 
ary 1, 186-i. In 1861, however, the county 
supervisor system relieved the judge of a 
large part of his work. The supervisor at- 
tended to all matters relative to the public 
welfare of the county, aside from regular 
probate court business, which was in the 
hands of the county judge until the creation 
of a State system of circuit courts in 1869, 
when the office of county judge was abolished 



entirely and the office of auditor instituted. 
This officer became clerk of the county board 
and attended to all the business in time of 
vacation. The first board of supervisors met 
the first Monday in January, 1861. It should 
be remembered that Audubon County con- 
sisted of only one civil township at this date, 
and as the law allowed but one supervisor 
from each civil township, this first board was 
made up of but one member — J. M. Hub- 
bard, whose duty it was duly to qualify him- 
self, and then qualify the clerk of the board, 
who was Richard Eault. Then it became his 
duty to have the clerk arrange ballots or slips 
of paper with the words "long term" and 
"short term" written on them, from which 
he was to draw, to determine lawfully whether 
his term of office as supervisor should be one 
or two years. This matter of form was gone 
throuffh with, and Hubbard drew the "short" 
term of office. 

Tlie first bill they were called upon to 
audit and order paid from the county funds 
was $20.84 to W. B. Felch, for boarding a 
jiauper named AV. L. Carter, for sixteen weeks, 
at $1.25 per week. 

The second meeting of this "body" was 
in the month of June, and held at the farm 
residence of the clerk, in Hamlin's Grove. 
The minutes of this session show the tax levy 
to have been : County tax, two and one-half 
mills; State tax, one and one-half mills; 
school tax, one and one-quarter mills. 

The following bills were presented and 
allowed : 

Mills & Co., fire-proof safe |135.00 

" " slatiooery 7.00 

W. J. Jordan, hauling safe from Des Moines. . 21.00 

J. C. Norton, bounty on three wolf scalps 3.00 

William Lefflngwell, bounty on three limber 

wolves 3.00 

William Leffingwell, bounty on one swift scalp. 1.00 

I. V. D. Lewis, for service as county assessor. . 97.50 

In 1862 the board of supervisors consisted 



HIISTOBY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



fi47 



of B. G. Dodge, Chairmau, and Richard Gault^ 
Clerk. Tlie principal business for this board 
to attend to at its tirst session seems to have 
been allowing bounty on the scalps of wild 
animals killed, and mending dilapidated 
bridges. The recorder of deeds that year re- 
ceived $116, while the county judge only re- 
ceived $100. In June the board met again 
and subdivided the county into three civil 
townships — Audubon, Elxira and Oaktield. 
This board also ordered a special election in 
June of that year, to submit to the tax-payers 
the question of ratification or rejection of the 
contract previously made with the American 
Emigrant Company. This election was held 
at Heneck's school-house, June 21, 1862. 
Kichard Gault, Clerk of the board, received 
for his services that year $230. 

The board of 1863 consisted of C. E. Frost, 
Chairman, and J. A. Hallock, Clerk. Among 
the acts of this board is found on the records, 
W. S. Carter (pauper) was "let to William 
Carpenter at $1.40 per week, with $3 appro- 
priation with which to purchase said Carter 
a hickory shirt and a pair of blue drilling 
pants." This brings to one's mind those dark 
days of the civil war, when cotton goods were 
very high. Think of $3 expended for a cot- 
ton shirt and pair of pants for a pauper to 
be clothed in during the fall and winter of 
1863! The further work of the June session 
of the board of 1863 was to make the follow- 
ing classification for the use of the assessors: 

Prime wild land, per acre |2.25 

Improved " " $ 4.00 to $10.00 

Timber " " 5.00 to 15.00 

Town lots in Exira 5.00 

Work cattle, per head 40.00 to 60.00 

Cows, " 6.00 to 12.00 

Steers (tliree years old), per head 6.00 to 12.00 

Bulls (all ages), " 10.00 to 1,5.00 

Work horses, " 25.00 to 80.00 

Mules, " 40.00 10 70.00 

Sl'eep, " 3.00 to 5.00 

Swine, per pound 1>^ cents 



In 1864 the board consisted of N. Hamlin, 
J. A. Pearl and B. G. Dodge, with J. A. Hal- 
lock as clerk. In 1865 the board was made 
up of two from the previous year and the 
newly elected member, A. I. Brainard. 

Numerous questions of public interest came 
up from time to time in the year 1866. The 
board consisted of I. V. D. Lewis, S. H. Perry 
and W. Bartlett. A. I. Brainard was clerk 
of the board. A petition of H. C. Smith 
and many others was presented asking to re- 
locate the county seat at Louisville. Also 
there came up a remonstrance, headed by 
John Crane. The remonstrance had more 
names than the petition, so no election was 
ordered to decide the matter. 

The board of 1867 consisted of I. V. D. 
Lewis, S. H. Perry and W. Bartlett. 

In 1868 W. Bartlett, Isaac Thomas and D. 
L. Anderson served, the last named beintr 
chairman. 

In 1869 Jacob Andrews, W. Bartlett and 
I. Thomas composed the board, with Mr. An- 
drews in the chair. 

During 1870 J. Andrews, J. A. Pearl and 
J. Thomas constituted the board, Mr. Pearl 
acting in the capacity of chairman. Mr. 
Andrews resigned before his year was out, 
and B. G. Dodge took his place by appoint- 
ment. 

In 1871 John T. Jenkins, J. W. Dodge 
and W. II. II. Bowen formed the board, with 
the last mentioned as chairman. 

The board of 1872 was John W. Dodge, 
W. II. II. Bowen and John Noon. During 
that year the board renewed a former con- 
tract with P. Gad Bryan and John M. Scott, 
by which they were to pay said i)arty $3,000, 
providing they, as attorneys, should succeed 
in getting clear title of lands once granted 
conditionally to the American Emigrant 
Company. During their January term the 
board decided to erect a court-hou.se. J. W. 



648 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. » 



Dodge, one of their number, drew plans and 
specifications, for which he received §17. 
He was also committeeman to go to Des 
Moines and procure counsel, which was to 
cost not over $500, regarding the setting 
aside of a certain injunction which had been 
placed against building the above named 
court-house. Messrs. Bowen and Dodge voted 
for this measure favoring the erection of a 
court-house, while Mr. Noon opposed it. 

At their September session the board had 
presented to them apetition asking for theloca- 
tion of the county seaton section 35, township 
80, range 35, Mr. ^'oon voting against, and 
the other two members for the measure. A 
remonstrance was freely circulated to offset 
the above petition, which made it a compli- 
cated case. The board gave sufficient time 
for the peijple to sign both the former peti- 
tion as well as the remonstrance, and when 
counted out it appeared that there were 192 
for and 200 ajjainst the measure. Still an- 
other petition to locate the court-house at 
the platted village of Hamlin was presented 
and lost — two members voting against, while 
Mr. Noon cast a vote for the measure. 

The board of 1873 consisted of J. W. 
Dodge, John Noon (chairman) and A. L. 
Sanborn. At their June session came up a 
petition for locating the county-seat at Ham- 
lin again, notice of same having been pub- 
lished in the AuJuhon County Defender, 
published at Exira. Attached to this peti- 
tion were 23(5 names, which asked that tiie 
question be submitted to the voters of the 
county at the fall election of that year. The 
petition was honored, and the election or- 
dered. During this somewhat stormy ses- 
sion the " Hamlin Town Company " came 
before the board with an offer to erect suit- 
able court-house buildings at Hamlin, and 
lease the same for a nominal sum (free) for 
four years from January 1, 1874, providing 



the people saw fit to locate the seat of justice 
at that point. This proposition was signed 
by N. Hamlin, President, and Jolin W.Scott, 
Seci'etary, of the " Hamlin Town Company." 
The people at and near the village of Exira, 
not wishing to be deprived of the county seat, 
also came forward with a similar proposal, by 
authority of what was styled the " Exira 
Hall Company," which bonded themselves to 
the county in the amount of $5,000 to build 
and keep upsuitable county buildings free, so 
long as used for county-seat purposes. This 
was signed by Charles Van Gorder, A. B. 
Houston, John D. Bush, J. A. Hallock, P. 
I. Whitted and A. Campbell. This ofter 
was accepted, and for the time being the 
county-seat matter settled. 

In 1874 the board was composed of I. 
Thomas, John Noon and A. L. Sanborn. The 
county was involved badly, and so the board 
decided to bond the county for the sum of 
$10,000, which measure was carried out. 
The bonds were made payable on or before 
ten years. 

The same men served as supervisors in 
1875 that had served in 1874. 

The board of 1876 was S. A. Miller, I. 
Thomas and John Noon. The record shows 
no important acts during the year 1876. 

The board of 1877, composed of S. A. 
Miller, James Davisand John Noon, had the 
usual routine work of adjusting claims and 
looking after the complications of road busi- 
ness. They made the Defender and Sen- 
tinel the official papers of the county. 

In 1878 the board was composed of John 
T. Jenkins, S. A. Miller and James Davis. 

In 1879 it was James Davis, S. A. Gra- 
ham and John T. Jenkins. During this 
year a petition, signed by 673 legal voters, 
was presented to the board, asking that the 
county seat be removed to Audubon, which 
^ ad just been platted at the end of the Atlan- 



nisTonr of audubon county. 



649 



tic & Audubon brancli of the Rock Island 
Railway. Tlie number who signed such peti- 
tion were a majority of the voters within the 
county. The question was submitted at the 
October election that year and resulted as 
follows: Whole number of votes cast, 1,361, 
841 being cast for removal to Audubon, and 
620 against it. The citizens of the new town 
of Audubon had already bonded themselves 
to build as good buildings as those at Exira. 
The Rock Island Railway Company, however, 
had large landed interests around Audubon, 
so they built a large brick structure designed 
so that it could be converted into business 
houses or into a court-house, if desired. 
They finally donated a free lease of this build- 
ing to the county for fire years. After the 
county had accepted this proposition the 
next move was to proceed to the removal of 
the county effects — books, safes, etc. — from 
Exira to the new county home. The railroad 
company had taken deep interest in all these 
county-seat moves, and had donated to the 
county the present beautiful public square, 
but did not venture to erect the building 
they were about to give for the free use of 
the county, for fear it would not be able to 
remove the same from lands already deeded 
to the county, so it was erected just across 
the street east of the public square. When 
the day set for removing the books from 
Exira had arrived a special train was sent up 
from Atlantic, and large numbers of the 
citizens from the northern part of tlie county 
boarded the train and proceeded to Exira, 
where teams were in readiness to cart the 
effects of the county from the old iiall to the 
train. 

At the election which finally settled the 
county-seat contest in favor of Audubon, 
much " bad blood " was manifest, the south 
part of the county charging the nortii por- 
tion with illegal voting. So hot was this 



contest that men from Exira were present at 
the polls all day, for the purpose of chal- 
lenging votes. These men, many of them, 
carried well-loadod revolvers, but the event 
passed off without the use of them. However, 
many hot words were shot pro and con 
throughout the day. While there perhaps 
were some questionable votes cast at Atidu- 
bon, yet the majority being 221 votes, the 
popular vote of legal citizens must have been 
in favor of Audubon. 

In 1880 the board consisted of J. T. Jen- 
kins (chairman), S. A. Graham and W. E. 
Hensley. In 1881 it was S. A. Graham 
(chairman), W. E. Hensley, B. F. Jenkins. 

In 1882 the board consisted of W. E. 
Hensley (chairman), S. A. Graham and B. F. 
Jenkins. During their term of office it de- 
volved upon them to provide a jail, and after 
the usual routine of election business and 
formality, the vote standing about 200 major- 
ity for, the contract was let to P. McKinley. 
The structure is a two-story brick house, with 
iron cells in the rear, the front and upper 
portion being used for the sherifTs residence. 
The total cost of the building and cells was 
$6,927. 

Among other acts of the above board 
was the leasing of the lot upon which was 
built the engine house to the city of Audubon, 
said lease being for five years. 

Before his term of office had expired B. F. 
Jenkins died and his seat was filled by J. 
P. Hallock, who was selected by virtue of the 
law, making it the duty of the county clerk, 
recorder and auditor to fill such vacancies. 

The board of 1883 was J. P. Hallock, 
S. A. Graham and William E. Hensley. 
During their administration the proposition 
to bond the county for $30,000, witli which 
to build a new court-Iiouse, was submitted to 
the people at the general flection, said bonds 
I to be payable in five and ten years, by the 



650 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



\ewy of a three-mill annual tax. This measure, 
however, was defeated. 

The board for 1884 was S. A. Graham, 
W. E. Ilensley and T. J. Essington. This 
was somewhat of an eventful year for Audu- 
bon County, owing to the fact tliat this part of 
Iowa was visited on August 7 by a terrible 
cyclone and hail-storni, which ruined much 
of the growing crops of the farmers. These 
unfortunate farmers sought some relief at the 
hands of the board, whom they asked to remit 
their taxes; but after well considering the 
matter they decided it would be outside of 
their duty as well as bad policy — one which 
might cause an almost endless complication 
and set an example for future years. The 
same year came up the question of voting a 
one-mill tax for a term of live years, for the 
purpose of accepting the liberal offer of the 
Rock Island Railroad to convey to the county 
the building before named and in which the 
county offices were then located. The com- 
pany asked §7,000 for this property, and the 
vote proved that the people considered it a 
safe investment. It was in this manner that 
Audubon County finally secured her own 
court-house, which is a two-story brick build- 
ing, 44x100 feet. The lower story is subdi- 
vided into rooms for the various county offices, 
while the upjier floor serves as a court-room, 
and lias for years been used as a public hall, 
opera house, etc. 

The board of 1885 consisted of W. E. 
Hensley, S. P. Baker and T. J. Essington. 

In 1886 it was T. J. Essington, George 
McCain and S. P. Baker. 

In 1887 it was S. P. Baker, George McCain 



and Jasper Jensen. It was during this year 
that the questionof purchasing land for poor- 
farm purposes came up, and was finally set- 
tled by a vote; a majority of 363 decided land 
should be bought at once. The tax for such 
purchase was two mills per dollar. Accord- 
ingly a 200-acre tract was bought of Michael 
O'Donnell, on sections 33 and 84 of Leroy 
Township, and within one mile and a half of 
Audubon, in a southwesterly direction. The 
board of supervisors could not have selected 
a finer location or obtained better land. A 
natural grove containing thirty acres gives a 
beautiful site for the poor-house buildings 
which are to be built the present season. 
The farm-house already on the place, together 
with barns, etc., which the county has built, 
is sufficient to accommodate all the unfortu- 
nate poor, and the farm was more than self- 
sustaining the first year. It cost the county 
$35 per acre, or $7,000, the same being a wise 
investment, for the two simple reasons that 
paupers can be kept cheaper in this manner, 
and also there are many persons who have 
hitherto drawn some support from the county 
fund who dislike to be sent to the poor farm — 
hence the number is greatly lessened who 
apply for aid. 

For the first superintendent over this place, 
the services of Y. A. Walkup were secured; 
he is now on his second term. His report 
shows, and is corroborated by the appearance 
of the farm, that he is the right man in the 
right place. 

The board of 1888 was constituted by 
Jasper Jensen (chairman), A. F. Armstrong 
and Samuel Minser. 



>"#^h^^ 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



651 



CHAPTER IV. 



ELECTION RETURNS -COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL. 



liiiJIIE first election in Audubon County 
was lield at the house of John S. Jin- 
kins, April 2, 1855 .and resulted in 
electing the following officers: Thomas S. 
Lewis, County Judge; John W. Beers, Clerk 
of the District Court; Miles Beers, Treasurer 
and Recorder; David L. Adkins, Prosecut- 
ing Attorney; Benjamin M. Hiatt, Sheriff; 
Kobert Stansberry, Coroner; John W. Beers, 
County Surveyor; Urbane Herrick and Carlos 
E. Frost, Justices of Peace; W. W. Bowen, 
Road Supervisor and Assessor. The whole 
county was, at this time, in ©ne civil town- 
ship, hence the election of the above ofScers. 

At an election held in August, 1855, 
Daniel M. Harris was elected County Judge; 
Nathaniel Hamlin, Treaeurer and Recorder; 
Benjamin JVI. Hiatt, Sheriff; P. I. Whitted, 
Surveyor; he also received the appointment 
from the county judge as swamp land 
commissioner. 

The following has been taken from the 
county records and will serve to show who 
have held various offices in Audubon County 
since 1856, as well as how the county vote 
stood in the election of President of the 
• United States and Governor of Iowa. 

FOR PRESrOENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 

1856 — James Buchanan (Democrat) 56 

John ('. Fremont (Republican) 29 

1860— Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat) 84 

Abraham Lincoln (Uepublican) 13 



1864— George B. McClelland (Democrat) 61 

Abraham Lincoln (Republican) 33 

1868— U. S. Grant (Republican) 114 

Horatio Seymour (Democrat) 118 

1872— U. S. Grant (Republican) 184 

Horace Greeley (Liberal-Dem.) 146 

1876— Rutherford B. Hayes (Republicau) 426 

Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat) 353 

1880 — James A. Garfield (Republican) 963 

W. S. Hancock (Democrat) 637 

1884 — James G. Blaine (Republican) 1,224 

Qrover B. Cleveland (Democrat) 1,216 

1888 — Benjamin Harrison (Republican) 1,366 

Grover B. Cleveland (Democrat) 1,210 

FOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA. 

1857— R. P. Lowe (Republican) 37 

George Gellespy (Democrat) 42 

1859— A. C. Dodge (Democrat) 

S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) 

1861— W. M. Stone (Republican) 19 

(Democrat) 69 

1863 — Samuel J. Kirkwood (Republican) 23 

J. M. Tuttle (Democrat) 74 

1865 — Samuel J. Kirkwood, (Republican) 70 

T. H. Burton (Democrat) 85 

1867 — Samuel Merrill (Republican) 80 

Cbaijes Mason (Democrat) 92 

1869— Samuel Merrill (Republican) 114 

George Gellespy (Democrat) 118 

1871— J. C. Knapp (Democrat) 177 

C. C. Carpenter (Republican) 155 

1873— C. C. Carpenter (Republican) 209 

Jacob G. Vail (Democrat) 289 

1875— S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) 313 

Sheppard Leffler (Democrat) 275 

1877— J. H. Gear (Republican) 410 

J. P. Irish (Democrat) 352 

D. B. Stubbs (Greenback) 26 

1879— J. H. Gear (Republican) 812 

H. H. Trumble (Democrat) 652 

Daniel Campbell (Greenback) 11 



652 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



1881— Bureau R. Sherman (Republican) 855 

L. G. Kinnie (Democrat) 562 

D. M. Clark (Greenback) 61 

1883— B. U. Sherman (Republican) 1,137 

L. G. Kinnie (Democrat) 89S 

John B. Weaver (Greenback) 117 

1885— William Larrabee (Republican) 1,069 

Charles E. Whiting (Democrat) 1,152 

1887— William Larrabee (Republican) 1,096 

T. J. Anderson (Democrat) 935 

M. J. Cain (Fusion) 178 

COONTY JUDGE. 

1855 — Thomas E. Lewis 

1855— Daniel M. Harris 

1859— A. B. Houston 

1861— A. B. Houston 

1863—1. P. Hallock 

1865 — J. S. Jenkins 

1867— Amherst Heath 

1868— B. F. Andrews 

1869— A. J. Brainard 

COUNTY AUDITOR. 

1869— John W. Scott 107 

A. J. Brainard Il9 

W. F. Stotts 172 

1871— Herbert S. Wattels 157 

1873— H. S. Wattels 297 

S.A.Graham 198 

1875— Thomas Walker 334 

H.S. Wattels 186 

1877— Thomas Walker 403 

J. F. McAuinch 382 

1879— Thomas Walker 855 

J. M. Bryan 626 

1881— W. P. Stotts 841 

W. J. Lancelot 621 

1883— W. F. Stotts 1,046 

E. B. Cousins 1,038 

J. C. F. Wicker .^ 72 

1885— John H. Rendleman, .' .... 1,230 

Thomas Walker 908 

J. C. F. Wicker (Union Labor) 84 

1887— John H. Rendleman : 1,181 

W. A. Stowell 866 

COUNTY TBEASDREB. 

1855— Nathaniel Hamlin 

1857— Nathaniel Hamlin 48 

E. W. Pearl 4) 

1859— Nathaniel Hamlin 

1861 — Nathaniel Hamlin 

1803— C. E. Frost 

1865— A. B. Houston 



1867— A. B. Houston 99 

Charles Van Gorder '. 73 

1869— Charles Van Gorder 119 

A. B. Houston 108 

1871— Charles Vaa Gorder '. 176 

A. L Brainard 156 

1873— W. F. Stotts 287 

H. Ransford 202 

1875— W. F. Stotts 424 

B. F. Miller 167 

1877— D. W. Harris 414 

E. J. Freeman 368 

1879 -D. W. Harris 763 

J. L. Stotts 708 

1881— E. J. Freeman 736 

J. M. Bryan 681 

J. Bonwell 41 

1883— E. J. Freeman l,ioi 

John R. Rudge 1,004 

J. H. Giler 50 

1885— W. F. Stotts 1,153 

Ed. B. Cousins 975 

H. S. Wetherell 93 

1887— John B. Doak 1,133 

G. L. Jones . . . 904 

COUNTY RECOEDEE. 

This office was with that of tlie Treasurer 
and styled "Comity Treasurer and Recorder," 
until 1864, when a separate office was created. 
Those having served are as follows: 

1864— John Ofane 

1866— D. Andrews 78 

Isaac Jinkins 69 

Frank Stotts 103 

1808- H. F. Andrews 96 

A. Campbell 125 

1870— J. P. Davis 105 

1873— E. H. Kimball 181 

A. L. Campbell 171 

1874— John S. Toft 361 

W.H. Fowler 13 

1870- J. M. Crocker 406 

J. S. Toft 368 

1878— J. M. Crocker 476 

L.J. Hilton 266 

J. S. Toft 131 

1880— S. P. Rhodes 899 

John H. Bell 72B 

1882— S. P. Rhodes 1,117 

E. A. Armstrong 278 

1884— Otto Witthoner 1,179 

W. R. Neff 1,140 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



653 



1886— A. L. Wever 1,079 

OttoWitthoner 1,048 

1888— A. L. Wever 1,578 

Elias Fiscus 1,015 

CLERK OP THE DISTRICT COURT. 

1855— Jolm W. Beers 

1856— Franklin Burnbam 

1858- Franklin Burnbam 

1860— Richara Gault 

1863— J. A. Hallock 

1864— George W. Cannon 

1866— A. I. Brainard 

1868— J. W. Scott 103 

John Crane 08 

1870— H. Ransford 136 

A. B. Houston 97 

1873— Thomas Walker 343 

Samuel Majors 113 

1874— A. L. Campbell 337 

B. F. Thacker 153 

1876— A. L. Campbell ; 438 

D. W. Harris 348 

1878- B. F. Thacker 436 

F. P. Bradley 439 

1880— Frank H. Bradley t<37 

H.H.Green 831 

1883— F. P. Bradley 931 

H. H. Green 843 

H. S. Witherell 99 

1884— R. J. Hunter 1,381 

H. P. Moore 1,079 

J. C.F. Wicker 77 

1886— Charles Vail 1,076 

R. J. Hunter 1,048 

1888— Charles Vail 1,565 

C. A. Marlin 1,037 

SCHOOL SDPBKINTENDENT. 

1858 — L. B. Slontgomery 

1860— Robert N. Day 

1863— Robert N. Day 

18()4— Robert N. Day 

1865— B. G. Dodge 

1867— B. 6. Dodge 84 

David Beers 117 

1869— B. G. Dodge 113 

1871— John Hunter 183 

Mrs. Jennie McCowen 13G 

1873— H. G. Smith 043 

J. A. Hallock 100 

1875— B. F, Thacker 34O 

E. E. Majors 243 

1877 — A. K. Brainard 4O5 

B F. Thacker 373 



1879— R. M. Carpenter 797 

R. W. Hanna 683 

1881— R. M. Carpenter 884 

M. A. Mills 579 

1883— C. F. Willcutt ],327 

R. M. Carpenter 873 

1885— C. F. Willcutt 1,076 

Mrs. Ada Funk 403 

Jno. M. Cotton 663 

1887— C. F. Willcutt I,l;i9 

W. H. Brinkerhoff 910 

COUNTY SDRVEYOn. 

1855— John W. Beers 

1855-6— P. I. Whitted 

1857— P. I. Whitted 49 

J. W. Beers yy 

1859— P. I. Whitted 

1861— P. I. Whitted 

1863— P. I. Whitted 

1865— P. I. Whitted 

1867— P. I. Whitted 91 

J. L. Frost 74 

1869— P. I. Whitted 133 

Charles Andrews 103 

1871— P. I. Whitted 177 

James D. Gage 157 

1873— P. I. Whitted 356 

D. P. McGill 321 

1875— R. T. Smart 275 

P. I. Whitted 124 

E. J. Freeman 118 

1877— L. C. Frost 403 

William Milliman 395 

1879— H. 8. Wattles ....'. 773 

William Milliman 687 

1881— H. S. Wattles 753 

Elias Fiscus 684 

1883— L. C. Frost i,094 

P. Bruce Moore 907 

J. A. Botts 93 

1885— H. S. Wattles ],o«7 

R. T. Smart 151 

1887— J. M. Hill 1,080 

P. I. Whitted 981 

SHERIFF. 

1855 — Benjamin M. Hiatt 

1856 — Charles L. Chapin 39 

J. W. Beers 34 

1857— Charles L. Chapia 69 

R. M. Lewis 20 

18.59— U. Uerrick 

1861— U. Herrick 

1863— E. W. Pearl 

1866 — Isaac Thomas 77 

Andrew Leilingwell (Lefllngwell served). 77 



654 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



18G7— John Huntley 88 

B.L.Anderson 80 

1869— S. R. Thomas 98 

C. Strahl 80 

1871— J. B. Conrardy 

1873— J. B. Conrardy 219 

S. P. Zike 203 

1875— J. L. Stotts 380 

F. J. Shrauger 136 

1877— J. L. Stotts 416 

John Huntley 365 

1879— H. B. Herbert 538 

William Mallory 483 

G.W.Bailey 451 

1881— H. B. Herbert 757 

J. R. Rudge 721 

1883— H. B, Herbert 1,187 

W.J. Walker 909 

John Huntley 43 

1885— William Mallory 1,102 

H. B. Herbert 1,057 

H. B. Owen 60 

1887— A. B. Stanfield 902 

William Mallony 1,149 

OTHEK COUNTY OFFICES. 

From the organization of tiie county until 
about 1870 there was what was known as the 
"drainage commissioners," wliose business, 
principally, was to look after the swamp 
lands of the county. At one time it was an 
office of some considerate importance. The 
first to act in such capacity in Audubon 
County was P. I. Whitted, who received his 
appointment from the county judge, D. M. 
Harris, who in those early days was in fact 
chief ruler over all! Among others who 
held the office of drainage commissioner may 
be mentioned W. H. Green, in 1861. 



For the first few years of Audubon 
County's history, it being embraced within 
one civil township and the settlers few in 
number, one man, known as county assessor, 
did all the assessing. '^. W. Bowen was 
elected first county assessor, as well as road 
supervisor, holding both offices at the same 
time. In 1861, it is found by the records, 
I. Y. D. Lewis was county assessor, and re- 
ceived for his services that year $47. W. P. 
Hamlin was the last county assessor, and 
served in 1862. 

LIQrOR PROniBITOEY AMENDMENT. 

At an election called especially for deter- 
mining whether or not the constitution of the 
State of Iowa should be amended so as to 
prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxi- 
cating liquors within the State, the following 
is a true copy of the vote in Audubon County, 
given by townships, as siiown by the official 
returns. Such election was held June 27, 
1882, and uniformly throughout the State. 

Townships. For. Aoainst. 

Audubon 50 89 

Cameron 70 45 

Douglas 41 47 

Esira 151 132 

Greeley 54 69 

Hamlin 31 44 

Leroy 217 124 

Lincoln 50 71 

Melville 33 56 

Oakfield 49 28 

Sharon 9 42 

Viola 53 52 

Total 807 779 



HISTOJiT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



655 



CHAPTER V. 



SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER MATTERS. 



SPECIAL EVENTS. 

jMONG the special events having trans- 
pired M'ithin tlie range of history in 
Audubon County, may be mentioned 
the following: 

The election records of 1880 show that 
when the question to strike from the State 
constitution the words '■'■free white'''' (which 
virtually gave the colored man the same legal 
rights as the white race) came up, the vote 
stood 545 for and 365 against. 

It is stated upon good authority that the 
excitement was so great over the location 
and re-location of public roads in Audubon 
County, that several times the judge of the 
district court was compelled to adjourn court 
for the reason that every one who should 
have been in attendance at court was at- 
tracted by the large crowd of "path-finders" 
who besieged the board of supervisors at the 
county auditor's room, which is under the 
court-i-oom. There are various reasons for 
the public highways having caused so much 
trouble. Among these reasons may be men- 
tioned the fact that in so hilly and uneven a 
surface as this country is, it is hard to make 
suitable roads and have them established on 
regular government lines, as is the usual cus- 
tom in more level counties. The matter of 
right of way, damages, etc., has ever been a 
"bone for contention" among the land own- 
ers. Again, the field notes of many of the 
surveyed highways were very imperfectly ex- 
ecuted, and frequently such notes were illy 



recorded or tlie record entirely lost. At 
present, however, with the modification of 
the State laws and a better system of surveys 
and road records, the matter of highways is 
fast coming to a state of perfection. 

Perhaps there is no more historic building 
in the county than the old hall, used for many 
years at E.xira for county-seat purposes. It 
is built of lumber, two stories high, and 
22 X 50 feet on the ground. Its first cost was 
about ^1,700, and it was erected by the " E.x- 
ira Hall Company." The building is still 
standing where it was first erected, and is 
used as a hall for the Knights of Pythias. 
The first county otiices, after the county seat 
was located at Exira, were within a frame 
building, 16x16 feet. Court at that time 
was held in the district school-house at Exira. 

At one of the early elections (so it is re- 
lated to the writer) less than 100 votes were 
cast, and before the time came for countinsr 
out the votes many of the voters wore quite 
full of pioneer " budge," so it was proposed 
to take the ballot-box, which was a common 
cigar box, to the house of one of the judo-es 
of election; but in transit it was lost, and lo! 
and behold, upon going to count, nothing 
could be found to count! A part of the 
ofllcers of election were supporters of one 
political party, and the remainder of them 
represented the interests of the otiier party; 
so, quite philosopliically, instead of attempt- 
ing to hunt the cigar ballot-box up, they 
simply took their seats and made out the 



000 



JIIHTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. «■ 



election "returns," according to what they 
knew of the voters' politics — "counting 
noses," as it were. It may be added that 
said election gave very universal satisfaction! 

The first actual flour-mill of Audubon 
County was not constructed in the limits of 
the county, as it was a coffee-mill, manu- 
factured in Yankee land, probably! It was 
owned by Nathaniel Hamlin, the pioneer 
settler, who came in 1851. It was used by 
his family, as well as by the few neighbors 
at " Hamlin's Grove " settlement, and in it 
was ground corn and buckwheat. It was 
called "Hamlin's Portable Mill !" Its owner 
and proprietor tells the writer that its capac- 
ity was only limited by the amount of grease 
(elbow) it took to run it! 

Before " shinplasters " (paper currency) 
were wisely issued during the liehellion, small 
change was hard — almost impossible — to ob- 
tain, as the Wall street (New York) money 
sharks and traveling Jew brokers collected it 
all as fast as possible. Consequently the 
treasurer of Audubon County had to impro- 
vise some means of making change to those 
who came to pay taxes. Accordingly little 
slips of white paper, provided with a red line 
border, were made in large quantities. The 
same bore the signature of the county treas- 
urer, with the words "promise to redeem" 
upon their face. These passed throughout 
the county as money, and several are still in 
existence. 

ASSESSED VAI.UATION OF PROPERTY IN 1888. 

NuMBEK. Amount. 

Cattle 23,807 | a05,713 

Horses 7,442 202,848 

Mules 629 24,605 

Sheep 87U 1,193 

Swine 21,90U 45,202 

Kailway property 124,408 

Farm lands 283,557 2,194,084 

Village properly 244,892 

Total $3,203,574 



MAEEIAGE EECOED. 

The first marriage in the county was that 
of G. L. Kellogg to Susana Kinyon, April 
16, 1856. The ceremony was performed by 
Justice of the Peace Urbane Herrick. The 
following gives the total number of marriages 
for each year from the organization of the 
county to December, 1888, as shown by the 
marriage records in the county clerk's office: 



Tear. 




No. 


Yeab. 




No. 


1850 




.... 2 


1873. . . 




23 


1857 




1 


1874... 




20 


1858 




.... 2 
.... 2 


1875 . 




... .30 


1859 


1876... 




34 


1860 




.... 2 


1877... 




26 


1801 




... 


1878... 




37 


1863 




.... 


1879 . . . 




56 


1803 




.... 1 


1880... 




52 


1804 




.... 5 


1881... 




83 


1805 




9 


1883... 
1883... 




08 


1800 




.... 9 


07 


1867 . . . 




.... 9 
....14 


1884 . . 




6!) 


1868 


1885... 




70 


1869 




....10 


1886.. 




90 


1870 




.... 4 


1887 . . . 




93 


1871 




....13 


1888... 




53 


1873 




....11 


Total 




932 


POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS 


IN 1885. 














No. OF 






FORKIGN 


BOBN. 


Total. Dwellinos- 


Audubon. 






255 


981 


IGO 


Cameron. 






69 
64 


596 
647 


132 


Douglas. . 






139 


Exira and 


village. 




128 


1,555 


390 


Greeley . . 






81 


750 


148 


Hamlin . . 






80 
187 


591 

1,883 


113 


Leroy and town of Audub'n 


388 








128 
80 


835 
715 


175 


Melville.. 






129 


Oakfield. 






332 


893 


108 


Sharon . . . 






380 


683 


138 


Viola.... 






43 


709 


135 


Totals.. 






1,817 


10,835 


2,207 



POPULATION AT VAEIOUS HATES. 

In 1856 the county contained a population 
of 283; in 1860 it had 451; in 1870 its 
population was 1,270; in 1880 it amounted 
to 7,448; in 1885 it had reached 10,825. 



imSTOHY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



fi57 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE NEWSPAPER PRESS. 



SCOTCHMAN wlio had seen the Stuart 
dynasty snng from the throne, said: "Let 
^i^ me make a nation's balhids, and who 
will may make its laws." Newspapers liave 
superseded ballads. Journalism, the popular 
voice in type, is the foe of usurpation. The 
growth of our press has, indeed, been wonder- 
ful. While Captain Carver treated with the 
North American Indians the newspaper ad- 
vanced from an advertising sheet to a political 
power. Before King George rewarded Carver 
with a grant, tlie newspaper had defeated the 
monarch. The " stamp act " might have been 
fought in vain but for our journals. Patrick 
Henry would have aroused a small circle of 
loyal men, and there would have been no na- 
tional sonl if it had not been for journalism, 
the bond of union that saved the colonies. 
The Maryland Gazette indorsed Patrick 
Henry, and at once every liberal sheet 
responded. Tlie Boston Gazette echoed the 
words, backed by Adams, and a pamphlet in 
London disseminated that utterance, in spite 
of the British government. Within one year 
the king was discomfited, the " stamp act " re- 
pealed—that was the beginning, and the end 
was near. " I am the State," said Louis 
XIV. With greater truth the press could 
have said "/ ara the Revolution!'''' The 
newspaper was the weapon, without which 
there had been no Bunker Hill, no renowned 
Declaration. 

No local newspaper can remain long in a 



community and enjoy a good patronage un- 
less it be a journal which reflects the general 
public and moral character of such commu- 
nity. If a people be intemperate, it were 
folly to attempt to publish a prohibition 
sheet; if in a commercial center, no one would 
think of receiving support for an agricultural 
paper! For a time, a low-lived journal may 
find a few paying subscribers from among 
the morbid curiosity seeker, but no moral 
people will long tolerate an immoral paper, 
and no peculiar sect will support a paper 
which does not advocate its principles. 

The flrst to found a local journal in the 
then wild and undeveloped region of Audu- 
bon County were John C. Brown and J. J. 
Van Houghton, who established the Audu- 
hon County Pioneer in December, 1860. It 
was published at "Audubon City" now de- 
funct. It was Democratic in politics, but 
little else is known of its liistory save that 
the tax list was published in its columns. No 
file can now be found of it. Upon the break- 
ing out of tlie Rebellion the paper was sold 
to Frank Whitney and moved to Lewis, Cass 
County, Iowa. Johu C. Brown, one of the 
original owners, enlisted in ISf)! and was an 
ofiicer in Company I of the First Iowa Vol- 
unteers; he was killed at Milliken's Bend. 
His partner also served in the army, being 
Captain in the Fourth Iowa Infantry. He 
returned to Iowa after the war and died 
about 1883. 



658 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. « 



The next journal benefiting the people of 
Audubon County was a Democratic paper 
published at Atlantic, wliich, for political 
and advertising purposes, ran a portion of its 
issue with an Audubon County heading. It 
contained the proceedings of the county super- 
visors. Ne.vt, " Leafe " Young, of Atlantic 
newspaper fame, a radical Republican, fur- 
nished Audubon County with a similar paper, 
which in fact was a Cass County journal, but 
contained some local items from this county. 
It was at one time the official organ of Au- 
dubon County, but upon the establishment 
of a real liome-made paper, it soon ceased its 
weekly visits. 

The next newspaper venture in the 
county was made by leading Democrats who 
were instrumental in getting R. Lespeuasse 
to come to the county and take charge of a 
paper owned by a stock co?npany of Demo- 
crats who proposed to liave an official organ. 
This was known as the Auduhon County 
Sentinel, which first appeared during the 
winter of 1870-'71. The manager whom 
the company had imported did not fill the 
bill, so the editorship was transferred to 
James P. Lair, who was an improvement, he 
being a vigorous, dashing " quill-slinger." 
Later on, however, its original editor, Mr. 
Lespeuasse. purchased the plant, good-will 
and material; he controlled it till about 1873, 
when it was virtually given to ex-County 
Judge D. M. Harris, who changed its name 
to that of Audubon County Defender. He 
managed it a year when he sold to E. H. 
Kimball, who published the paper until the 
spring of 1877. In 187G, however, its poli- 
tics were "in the twinkling of an eye" 
changed to Republican doctrines. In 1877 
the concern was sold to J. A. Hallock and A. 
L. Campbell, who very much improved the 
style of the publication. It then passed into 
the hands of Milliman & Crane, and from 



them to R. W. Griggs, then to " Bert " Sim- 
mons, who later let it go back to Griggs, who 
i finally, in 1883, removed it to Kansas. 

In 1876 Mr. Lespeuasse, who started the 
Sentinel, which had been changed to the 
Defender, came back to the county and again 
started a paper called the Sentinel, taking up 
the old volume number. This only survived 
a year, collapsing in 1877-'78. Its manager 
was D. D. Stanclifl", who died in 1887. But 
the people demanded a Senti7iel, and so in 
1878 H. P. Albert began printing a paper, 
taking the name of Auduhon County Senti- 
nel. It was at first published at the now de- 
funct town of Hamlin, but the following year 
it was removed to Exira and there conducted 
until 1879, when it was removed to the then 
infant town of Audubon, at which point the 
county seat had been located. It continued 
until 1884, when its good-will (?) was sold to 
the Advocate. 

The Audubon Advocate (Democratic) was 
issued under great disadvantages. Perhaps 
no paper in Iowa was launched on the jour- 
nalistic sea under more trying circumstances, 
both as to opposition from the other news- 
papers as well as from the wintry elements — 
all combining to " freeze out " tiie newly- 
born local paper, which was edited by E. II. 
Kimball in a very able and aggressive man- 
ner. Its first number was issued January 1, 
1879. It was at first a nine-column folio — 
half home and half foreign print. The press 
employed to print it was the ever-reliable ami 
old-fashioned " Washington " hand press, 
which has ever had that peculiar faculty of 
wonderfully developing the muscles about the 
elbow joint of the operator's right arm! As 
a matter of history it may be well for the 
reader to peruse the following, which is an 
extract from one of the earliest editorials of 
this paper, under the heading of " Then and 
Now": 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



659 



" Don't it beat the royal star spangled 
American ! 

" Ent a few short months ago, in the place 
where we now sit, encircled by all that exalts 
and embellishes civilized life (perhaps), the 
rank thistle nodded in the wind, and the wild 
polecat flipped his caudal appendage in the 
prairie grass, or words to that effect. Pshaw! 
we thought we were running a Sunday-school 
paper in Exira! It is not often that we get 
sentimental! But what we started out to 
say is this: Less than four months ago we 
roamed around over tiiis town plat, trying to 
trace out the streets and alleys by the short 
stakes planted a short time before in the high 
prairie grass. I^ot a building had been 
erected, and in fact there were no signs that 
any would be erected for some time to come. 
The grass had already been killed by the 
autumn frosts, and the cold wind betokened 
winter at hand. Nearly every one predicted 
that nothing would be attempted in the way 
of building until spring-time. To-day (Jan- 
uary 22, 1879), we are sitting in a neat and 
Cozy office in a handsome two-story building. 
In the rear room two presses are running, and 
their incessant click! click! click! announces 
that the ' Art Preservative ' has found its way 
to the 'new town,' as it was then called. 
Around us are papers and books in profusion, 
and several persons, strangers to us then, 
some reading, some talking, but all here to, 
make their home. In front is a fine street, 
and scores of teams and busy people hurrying 
to and fro; the iron horse is snorting and 
puffing beside a iriagniticent depot, and pass- 
engers are leaving the train and hurrying to 
hotels and other places. Half a dozen dray 
teams are hauling goods up the streets, the 
hotel bells are ringing to call the many new- 
comer guests to dinner; the sound of the tools 
used in nearly all the trades can bo heard; 

upward of a hundred building's, many of 
42 ° ^ 



them magnificent ones, adorn the town plat, 
and we see Audubon, then a naked tract of 
prairie, now a veritable and tiourishingyoung 
city, the liveliest of its age and size in all Iowa, 
as hundreds who see it every day freely admit. 
We venture the prediction that one year 
from to-day the population of the place will 
reach nearly 1,000. And why not? It is 
tributary to, and will command, the entire 
trade of as beautiful a country as the sun 
ever shone on, for a distance of fifteen miles, 
east, north and west, and about half that dis- 
tance south." 

The sea of journalism in Audubon County 
has been very trying and rough — one which 
has not fully satisfied the people, or even 
been a paying business to the proprietors 
themselves. There have been a number of 
changes on each of the several local papers, 
including the Advocate. As before stated, 
E. H. Kimball started thep;iperon borrowed 
capital, out of wliich grew much contention, 
so before the end of the first volume a part- 
ner named B. F. Tliacker was taken in, when 
the paper was conducted under the firm name 
of Kimball & Tliacker; but before the year 
closed Seth Paine, the original owner of the 
material, came on from Chicago, and took 
j)OSsession of his projierty. Under his man- 
agement and editorship the paper was greatly 
improved, having a more reliable, respecta- 
ble standing among Iowa newspapers. It 
ever worked for good men and good improve- 
ments in the growing county. 

Mr. Paine was full of energy, and got out 
a large edition January 1, 1881, which con- 
tained a very authentic historical "write-up," 
giving the county, and especially Audubon, 
a grand boom. It treated of the county's 
soil, crops, inducements offered to emigrants, 
etc. He sold 4,500 of these papers at ten 
cents each. They were sent to all parts of 
the east and to many places in Europe. St. 



i^w 



HISTORY OF AUDUnoN UOUNTY. 



John, traffic manager of the great Rock 
Island Railway, bought $100 worth and sent 
them liroadcast; and from such papers came 
men from New England who now reside in 
the county, drawn here by the glowing ac- 
counts I'ead in that single issue. Emigrants 
also came from Germany and other European 
States. The following season 131 cars were 
landed at Audubon containing freight, which 
came by reason of that issue. It was a mar- 
vel in the way of jjroving the value of print- 
er's ink. 

In January, 1882, Mr. Paine sold the 
paper to R. M. Carpenter, who had for an 
editor about a year E. M. Stewart; but before 
that volume closed lie w-as at the helm him- 
self, lie made some changes in the " make- 
up" of the sheet, and edited a good paper. 

In 1886 he changed it again to a live- 
column quarto — its present size and form. In 
February, 1888, the paper passed from Mr. 
Carpenter's hands to the proprietorship of 
Crane & Crane, who continued the partner- 
ship until November of that year, when V. 
13. Crane sold his interest to F. D. Allen, the 
present iirm being Allen & Crane. 

The AuJuhoti County Republican^ the 
organ of the party which its name would in 
dicate, was founded December 24, 1885, as 
an eiijht-column folio, lialt' home and half 
foreign print. It was established by (\)usins 
& Foster, the hitter's interest being repre-- 
sented by \V. II. McClure, who succeeded 
Foster iu ownership in April, 1887. The 
Iirm still remains Cousins & McClure. 

TJie Republican is a good local paper, 
clean and moral — one which no community 
need be in the least ashamed of. While it 
is a party paper, yet it treats all with i'airness. 

The jTtwtA' was owned and conducted byE. 
II. Kimball, who was virtually given his outfit 
by the liock Island Railway t'ompany, who 
>V'anted an organ within their newly created 



town. It was established in the winter of 
187y-'80 and published until the fall of 1880, 
when its proprietor saw greener fields await- 
ing his newspaper talent, in the mountain 
country of Wyoming Territory, to which sec- 
tion he shipped his office. In politics his 
paper was Republican. It was an eight- 
column folio and it is said to have been one 
of the strongest papers in the county, yet had 
its very bitter enemies. 

The Audubon County Journal (independ- 
ent) is publislied at Exira. It takes the serial 
number of two defunct papers of that town, 
but virtually was founded anew by G. AV. 
Guernsey in September, 1885. It is one of 
the best local papers in Audubon County, 
giving each week all the local happenings in 
the community. Its proprietor is a practical 
printer and journalist, who takes with the 
masses. IJe ever strives to build up his 
town and county, by speaking well of his 
location, the county and its populace. 

Tlte Liberator was a purely local sheet, 
founded and conducted by T. Y. Paine — a 
mere youth, who met with an accident in 
childhood and was a cripple till his death, 
which occurred in 1888. lis was a son of 
Seth Paine who was once owner of the Advo- 
cate. The Liberator was a clean, spicy, well- 
cdited local journal, well thought of by all. 
It was the pet and pride of young Paine, 
whose wiiole life seemed wrapped up in liis 
pa])er, which was a four column folio in form, 
lie conducted it as long as he lived, the paper 
beinsr in its third volume at the time of his 
death. 

The WeUern Blizzard, an independent 
journal, was started by Allen & Waitinan, at 
the village of Gray, in May, 1887. It had 
for a motto at its head (which was a very 
elaborate design), "/< blows for IIu7)uinity." 
About three months after its establishment 
Frank D. Allen became sole proprietor of 



nisrORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



661 



the paper. It was a five-column quarto at 
first, but was later changed to a folio and 
made a semi-weekly; then changed to a weekly 
again and printed on rose-tinted paper. It 
was somewhat of a sensational paper and was 



suspended before it had a chance to wield 
much influence politically. Its name was a 
happy hit and caused much comment by the 
press throughout the entire country. It did 
not pay ! 




CC2 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.^ 



CHAPTER VII. 



VARIOUS THINGS. 



EDUCATIONAL. 

a|T is liiglily conipliinentary to the intelli- 
H gence of Audubon County peo])]e, that in 
^ the few years devoted to the development 
of educational advantages, she has made so 
line a record. Education has ever been held 
uppermost in the minds of the general popula- 
tion, who have never expended foolishly, yet 
always liberally, for the support of schools. 
To-day she has a system which eipials any 
and far surpasses many older settled counties. 
It may be said there are fewer persons who 
canuot read and write than in almost any 
other county. 

"The High School of the town of Audu- 
bon is one of the most flourishing and effect- 
ive in all western Iowa, having for tiie past 
eio-ht years been under ths superintendency 
of enterprising educators, who were awake to 
modern methods, whicli have been introduced 
with most satisfactory results. The curriculum 
embraces the higher branches of study, in- 
cluding languages, while special attention is 
given to a preparatory course for teachers 
giving equal advantages in this regard with 
the regular Normal Schools, and no higher 
reward of compliment could be paid to those 
whose endeavors have thus built up this 
school than the knowledge of the fact that 
among the successful instructors doing good 
work in the county to-day there are many who 
have graduated from this place of learning." 

The schools throughout the county are 
under an excellent system, so tiiat none are 



deprived of advantages. In going over the 
entire county one beholds district school- 
houses every two miles each way, making a 
grand total of one hundred and eight. This 
is indeed wonderful when one comes to re- 
flect that there are only twelve civil town- 
ship within the bounds of the county, giving 
nine school-bouses to each townsliip upon 
an average. In 1878 there was but one 
graded school, and that at the village of Exira. 
In 1888 there were three graded sciiools — one 
in Exira Township of two rooms; one in the 
village of Exira of five rooms, and nne at 
Audubon of seven rooms. 

The cost per pupil in 1878 was $2.40, while 
in 1888 it was but §2.20, with far greater 
advantages. (See village history for other 
educational matter.) 

The following will show the advancement 
made in educational matters in the last dec- 
ade, as sliuwn by the reports of the Audu- 
bon County superintendent of schools: 



NAME OF DISTKICT. 


1878. 


1888. 




eCHOOLS. 


PDPILS. 


SCHOOLS 


rirn.9. 


Audubon 


8 

3 
3 
8 
2 
1 
1 
3 
3 
5 
5 
2 
5 

49 


222 

23 

60 

230 

140 

119 

110 

69 

28 

54 

30 

3 

111 

1,205 


10 

7 

9 
9 
1 
9 
9 
8 
9 
9 
9 
8 
9 

115 


292 


Ind. Dist. of Audubon . . 

Cameron 

Douglas 

Exira 


416 
Itil 
186 
312 


Ind. Dist. of E.\ira 

Greeley 

Hamlin 


250 
227 
310 


Leroy 

Lincoln 


183 
197 


Melville 


187 


Oakfield 


175 


Sharon 

Viola 


174 
207 


Total 


3,283 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



663 



AUDUBON COUNTY SOLDIERS. 

Audubon County, at the breaking out of 
the great civil war, had but a small popula- 
tion, amounting to less than 500. Her quota 
of men, called for by the government, was 
twenty-two; about one-half this number vol- 
unteered, while the balance remained to be 
made up by draft. It should not be under- 
stood that this constituted the total number 
of Audubon County men who served in the 
Rebellion, for quite a number went to Des 
Moines, Council Bluffs, and various other 
localities, and entered the army, hence by 
that act were not credited to this county, as 
sliown by the Adjutant General's reports. 

There is no greater — almost impossible — 
task for a local historian to undertake than 
to give the complete roster of the soldiery 
which went from any given county, from the 
reason above named, as well as from the fact 
that official reports are anything but fully 
complete in all their details. From the best 
information which can be obtained from the 
soldiers themselves and other early citizens, 
the following are about the facts couceruiiig 
the county's war record — at least all of those 
given served in the Rebellion, from this 
county, and if there were others whose names 
should appear, their omission is not intended, 
but because no data could be found regarding 
additional names. If there are any such they 
must have been among the list of men who 
were drafted, or who went from other loca- 
tions, and in order to take advantage of a 
bounty were credited to other than their own 
home county. The subjoined served under 
the several heads of either volunteers, were 
drafted and furnished a substitute, or served 
as drafted men themselves: 

Volunteers: Captain Charles Van Gorder, 
Company I', Thirty-ninth Infantry. 

Richard S. Hallock, United States Colored 
Infantry. 



Robert Oliphant, Company' B, Fourth In- 
fantry. 

Orland Jones, Second Iowa Battery, killed. 

John T. Jenkins, Second Battery. 

Silas D. Burns, Second Battery. 

Charles II. Norton, Second Battery. 

John W. Davis, Company L, Fourth Cav- 
alry. 

William Anderson, Company B, Fifth Iowa 
Infantry, killed. 

John Anderson, Seventh Iowa Cavalry. 

D. L. Anderson, Company D, Seventh Iowa 
Cavalry. 

W. F. E. Smith, Fourth Cavalry. 

Lyman Jordan, Fourth Infantry, died. 

Hiram Simmons, Fourth Infantry. 

Washington Hardy, Fourth Infantry, died. 

John W. Montgomery, Company E, Third 
Infantry. 

Frank Smith, Seventh Cavalry. 

James Jones, Second Iowa Battery. 

William M. Nelson, Company D, Twenty- 
ninth Iowa Infantry. 

James Robison, Company D, Twenty-ninth 
Iowa Infantiy. 

James S. Smith, Fourth Infantry. 

James F. Smith, Company I, Twenty-third 
Iowa Infantry. 

Drafted: John Crane, James Poage, Rich- 
ard Eault (these three sent substitutes), Henry 
Eagan, James Eagan, James Ilowlett, Samuel 
Howlett, Nathaniel Wiggins. 

RAILKOADS, TUE "SQUATTERS," ETC. 

Every community has to undergo a greater 
or less amount of annoyance, in order to ob- 
tain its railways. While the policy of our 
national government has, for the most part, 
been prudent and wise in its granting wild 
lands to the aid of railroad construction, yet 
it has not been without its al)uses, which in 
some instances has amounteil to no less than 
high-handed robbery. In 18(36, what was 



664 



HISTORY OF AUDDBON COUNTY. " 



known as the "Mississippi and Missouri Kiver 
Kailway Company " was given a grant of 
land by Congress, for the purpose of con- 
structing a railroad across the State, which 
was to pass through Audubon County. This 
company failed to meet with the stipulated 
requirements and claimed to have gone into 
bankruptcy, whereupon the Rock Island & 
Pacific Company bought them out(?)and got 
an additional grant from Congress for the 
same purpose. The lands granted them in 
this county amounted to 163,000 acres, most 
of which was choice soil, having been selected 
by the company. However, many would-be 
settlers did not believe this company could 
hold such lands as they had not fully complied 
with the law in regard to their surveys and 
other stipulations. So these settlers " squat- 
ted" on these lands, the same as they would 
have done on government lands where grants 
had not been given. About 150 such settlers 
located in Audubon County, and commenced 
to open up farms, but the money power of 
rich railroad corporations prevailed in Con- 
gress as against actual settlers, and the gov- 
ernment officers were ordered to eject the 
unfortunate "squatters" from these lands. All 
but about a dozen of these settlers finally gave 
up, but these refused to go and some violent 
measures had to be resorted to, including the 
pulling down of houses and other improve- 
ments, in order to gain possession of the lands 
claimed for the railroad company. Among 
such lands was the tract upon which now 
stands the town of Audubon, the original 
claimer of which finally compromised by tak- 
ing a lot in the plat upon which his house had 
been built. 

When the Rock Island Company built its 
Audubon branch from Atlantic, in 1878, its 
constructors had to survey and grade through 
a corn-field wiiich covered the principal part 
of the present town. Hence it will be seen 



that the county has paid well for its railroad 
advantages; yet the advent of these roads de- 
veloped the country as nothing else could 
possibly have done. 

The Rock Island «fe Pacific Company pro- 
vided a splendid outlet over its main line, via 
Atlantic, for all produce grown in the south- 
half of the county, so rich in agricultural 
wealth; but it still remained for capital to 
develop the northern portion of tiie county. 
Consequently, in addition to the Audubon 
branch of the Rock Island Road, which is 
twenty-six miles in length, tiiere was still a 
good field for a northern outlet, via Manning 
and Carroll, at which latter place was the 
main line of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Road. 

The Audubon & Carroll l)ranch of the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway built its line 
to the former named town in tlie early part of 
1882 without expense to the tax payer. This 
gave the county seat a new boom, as it greatly 
reduced freight rates to and from the east. 
Large grain elevators, corn cribs, etc., were 
built at once upon the depot grounds and are 
still potenffactors in the commercial interests 
of Audubon. With the view of giving the 
reader a more comprehensive view of Audu- 
bon County, the following table is shown, the 
same having been carefully compiled in 1887 
by station agents for publication in a small 
descriptive pamphlet issued at Audubon. It 
shows tiie produce exported from Septem- 
ber 1886, to September, 1887 — one year's 
crop: 

Pboduct. No. of Cars. Value. 

Corn 3,500 $52;>,000 

Oats 800 100,000 

Barley 93 36,010 

Kye 101 64,320 

Wheat 123 43,050 

Timothy 12 19,200 

Cattle ;iM(l hogs 967 (Per car, f 950) 918,650 

Total $1,756,260 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



6C5 



STOCK-RAISING. 



This branch of fiirin industry has grown to 
be one of vast importance in Auduhon County. 
Much ot this business is in the hands of men 
who have means to carry on their ati'airs on a 
large scale, and they have spared no paius to 
improve stock, until all of the best breeds of 
cattle, horses and swine are now represented. 
The number of cattle alone in tiie county in 
1887 was 16,997, which were assessed at 
$204,928 — this being less than one-third 
their actual value. This number is highly 
complimentary to so new and undeveloped a 
county. Here there are many advantages in 
stock-growing. 

Among the heavier dealers, those who 
operate stock-farms or " ranches," may be 
named Charles Stuart & Son, nine miles east 
of the county-seat; William M'Lerans, one 
mile west of Audubon, and Thomas Mussons, 
ten miles east of Audubon. 

AOEIOULTUEAL SOCIETY. 

Very early in the history of Audubon 
County did the settler see the need and prize 
the value of forming an agricultural society. 
Such an organization was perfected prior to 
the Rebellion, but finally went down. About 
1870 a joint-stock company was organized, 
doing business at E.\ira, under the name of 
the Audubon County Agricultural Society. 
This, however, did not seem to meet with 
popular approval among the farming classes, 
as the teachings of the " Grange'' movement 
had instilled into the minds of farmers a dis- 
trust for all stock companies. 

Upon the completion of the Rock Island 
road to Audubon measures were taken to re- 
organize the society and procure suitable 
grounds for annual exhibits, while tiic prop- 
erty could be obtained at cheap rates. But 
the old stockholders opposed anything which 



sought or tended toward the upbuilding of 
the new county seat town. The Exira people 
bitterly opposed the removal. The people of 
the central and northern portions of the 
count}' then considered the propriety of hold- 
ing a fair at Audubon. A call for a meeting 
was published, and none but farmers were 
asked to siu-n such call. The first meeting 
was held at the freight-house in Audubon, 
called to order by I. A. Shingledecker, and 
Captain Stuart placed in the chair, but he was 
obliged to go away on the incoming train, so 
Mr. Shingledecker took the chair. An or- 
ganization was then perfected by the election 
of George Gray as President; D. Barlow, Vice- 
President; H. U. Funk, Secretary; A. H. 
Roberts, Treasurer. Also township directors. 
The newly -formed society had neither land 
nor tnoney, so success depended on the work- 
ing force found within the society. How- 
ever, the third week in September, 1879, 
was fixed as the date for holding a county 
fair. Up to the Ith of July not a dollar had 
been raised. On that day the sale of mem- 
bership tickets was begun at Luccock's 
Grove and about $60 realized. During the 
next few weeks the society, through the 
agency of E. J. Freeman, procured forty acres 
of land, which was a donation by the Rock 
Island Railway Company. Subscription was 
circulated, and some funds raised, with which 
needed improvements were made on the 
grounds. But the work could not be com- 
pleted in time, so the fair was postponed 
until October 1. In the meantime work went 
on with a rush, and the county-seat contest 
grew hot, Exira people straining every nerve 
to defeat its removal to Audubon. Many of 
the farmers in the south part of the county 
had never yet seen the new town of Audu- 
bon, hence had no just conception of its 
growth. It was desired that these people 
should visit the place, so E. J. Freeman got 



666 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



the railroad company to run special cheap 
trains during the fair week. The weather 
proved excellent, and a large crowd were pres- 
ent. The number of entries was large, and 
the exhibit a good one. The total receipts 
from all sources were $711, while the pre- 
miums paid amounted to $702. 

No one man deserves so much credit for his 
untiring energy and liberality as E. J. Free- 
man, who superintended all the work of the 
fair grounds. 

In the fall of 1879 the violent winds blew 
down the fair ground fences, and about 2,000, 



feet of lumber were stolen. These losses were 
met and the repairs made. 

When the Northwestern Railroad was 
built its line badly cut up the fair grounds 
and other grounds had to be procured. The 
society now owns forty acres, upon which 
tract they have commodious buildings, shed- 
ding, etc. It has come to be one of the per- 
manent fixtures of the county, each annual 
exhibition growing better, and the feeling 
once existing seems fast fading from the 
minds of those who at first opposed the so- 
ciety in locating its home at Audubon. 




niSTOUT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



667 



CHAPTER VIII. 



TOWNS AND VILLAGES- 



RECORD OF VILLAGE PLATS. 

^AYTON, the lirst village of Audubon 
County— now defunct — was platted July 
9, 1855, bytlie county judge. It was sit- 
uated on the east half of the northwest quarter 
of section 22, township 78, range 35, west. It 
was designated as the first county seat, the 
board of commissioners giving it its name. 

"Audubon City" was platted September 
3, 1856, by Thomas Lewis and N. Hamlin. 
D. M. Harris was county judge and P. I. 
Whitted the surveyor. It was located on the 
southwest quarter of section 25, township 
78, range 35, west, and is now numbered 
among the defunct villages of the county. 

ExiRA was platted June 1, 1857, by 
County Surveyor P. I. Whitted and acknowl- 
edged before County Judge D. M. Harris. 
It is situated on section 4, township 78, 
range 35, west. Houston's addition was au- 
thorized to be platted by A. B. Houston, 
September 2, 1878. 

West Exira was platted March 29, 1879, 
by H. F. Andrews, William F. Stotts, Henry 
B. Houston and John N. Griggs. 

Oakfield was platted January 4, 1858, by 
Erasmus Bradley and Alva B. Brown. It 
was located on the west half of section 20 
and the northeast quarter of section 19, town- 
ship 78, range 35, west. 

Louisville was platted June 4, 1866, by 
N. Hamlin. It was situated on the north- 



west quarter of the southwest quarter of 
section 16, township 78, range 35, west, and 
is now defunct. 

Hamlin was platted April 29, 1873, on 
sections 1 and 2, township 79, range 35, by 
N. Hamlin, I. N. Donnell, P. G. Bryan, 
George W. Seevers, H. W. Maxwell and 
H. D. Thompson, under the title of "The 
Haijilin Town Company. " It is now defunct. 

Audubon was platted by the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad Company, Septem- 
ber 23, 1878, on the southwest quarter of 
section 21, township 80, range 35, west. 
Hart's addition to Audubon was platted 
April 3, 1886. 

The Rock Island Railroad Company made 
additional plats, dated as follows : June 20, 
1879; May 24, 1880; January 4, 1882. 

Brayton was platted December 16, 1878, 
by John S. and John P. Jenkins, consisting 
of thirty acres on the south side of section 
19, township 78, range 35. 

Gray was platted August 10, 1881, on the 
southeast quarter of section 12, township 81, 
range 36, west, by George and Fanny Gray. 

Ross was platted July 28, 1882, by The 
Western Town Lot Company. 

KiMBALLTowN, the last village platted as 
yet in the county, was platted June 2, 1888, 
by Hans J. Jorgenson, on the northeast 
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 
30, township 79, range 36, west. 



068 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON OOUNXT. 



AUDUBON. 
Audubon, the county-seat of Audubon 
CoHuty, and the mart tlirough which flows 
the principal commerce of one of Iowa's 
most thoroughly prosperous and rapidly grow- 
ing counties, was platted by the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, 
September 23, 1878. The first sale of town 
lots was made October 15, of that year, the 
first day's sales amounting to $6,190. These 
sales were confined almost entirely to busi- 
ness lot limits, and property changed hands 
at fabulous prices. Before the sun had shed 
its evening twilight rays lot purcliasers had 
already commenced the work of excavating, 
preparatory to building business houses. The 
following winter between fifty and seventy 
carpenters and masons were kept constantly 
busy. They persevered against fearful odds, 
the chief of which was the long distance 
which building material had to be transported 
by wagons — everything having to come from 
Carroll or Atlantic. The land upon which 
the city is situated was a part of the numer- 
ous tracts granted to the Rock Island Rail- 
road, at quite an early day. While the 
railroad bus been greatly benefited by the 
enterprise of the business men of this thriving 
mart, on the other hand the city was created 
and fostered by the railroad company. Geo- 
graphically, Audubon is situated on the 
southwest quarter of section 21, township 
80, range 35, west, and in Leroy Township, 
which places it nearly in the center of the 
county, only deviating a mile and a half from 
a true center. For a record of the various 
plats, original and additions, see " Record 
of Plats," in the beginning of this chapter. 
Like ancient Rome, it stauds on many hills; 
however, they are but slight, rounded ele- 
vations; ia no instance, do they amount to 
an al)ruptness, wiiich occasions side-hill 
"washes," or in any other manner precludes 



the building of business or residence property. 
By nature, Audubon is finely situated, com- 
manding as it does, an outlook, in every 
direction, upon one of the most truly pictur- 
esque and enchanting farm landscapes which 
ever charmed the eye and pleased the mind 
of cultured man. The luxuriant growth of 
grass, the waving panorama of green, grow- 
ing crops, the rich mellowness of sunny 
autumn time, reflecting the promise of the 
early spring, all become factors, or brushes, 
as it were, in Nature's hand to complete the 
beautiful landscape, causing the spellbound 
beholder to exclaim, " Verily a thing of 
beauty is a joy forever.''' 

To give an idea of tlie rapid growth of 
Audubon, it may be stated, upon autiiority 
of reliable records, that the assessed val- 
uation of the tract of land upon which the 
city stands was less than $800 as against 
$90,000 the following year; this, it should 
be remembered, was the assessed valuation. 

In 1880, on the first day of June, accord- 
ing to the State census returns, Audubon had 
a population of 800, which has steadily in- 
creased until we find by the census of 1888 
(taken for school purposes) that it has up- 
ward of 1,800, the growth of less tlian one 
decade. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first birth in Audubon was Daisey 
Audubon McKinley, to whom the railroad 
company gave a town lot in compliance with 
an ofter made and spread upon tiie county 
records at the time the village was platted, 
to the efi'ect that the first child born should 
be ffranted a lot. This child was born in the 
fall of 1878, but died when less than a year 
old. 

The first wedding, where invitations were 
sent out, was that of John A. Nash and Miss 
(lertrude Russell, who still reside in Audu- 



UISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



fi69 



boil, Mr. Nash being among the most promi- 
nent men of the place; also a member of the 
law firm of Nash, Phelps & Green. 

The first train of cars ran to Audubon in 
the fall of 1878, via the Rock Island branch. 

The first town lot was sold October 15, 
1878. 

The first brick building was Charles Stuart 
& Son's office building near the liock Island 
depot. 

P08T0FFICE HISTOEY. 

A postoffice was established at Audubon, 
February 15, 1879. The first postmaster to 
serve was A. L. Sanborn, who served until 
January, 1883, when E. II. Kimball took tiie 
oflice and conducted it a year, and was suc- 
ceeded by Captain Foster, lie held the office 
until January 25, 1888, and was succeeded 
by R. M. Carpenter, the present incumbent. 
There lias been more or less trouble over this 
important office, the same here as elsewhere. 
Sometimes men unworthy the position have 
been in the office, and again good efficient 
men have been displaced by political wire 
pulling, " nonpartisanship," etc. However, 
the jwesent postmaster is well pleasing to the 
general community. 

The first money order issued from the 
Audubon office was dated August 2, 1880. 
It was issued by Hiram Miller, remitter to 
Morris Miller, Villisca, Iowa. The amount 
was for $5. Tlie last serial number of money 
orders issued from this place, up to Decem- 
ber 28, 1888, was 11,108. 

KARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

The subjoined is very nearly if not quite 
a complete directory of the business concerns 
of Audubon in January, 1880, when the place 
was but little more than a year old: 

Baitkiufj, Wliitney & Van Corder; real 
cst'ite, Nash & I'helps, Fnuk ik Funk, Love 
& Van Pelt, H. W. Ilanna, E. J. Freeman, 



Andrews & Armstrong; attorneys, J. M. & 
R. W. Griggs, Nash & Phelps, Stotts & 
Nichols, Love & Van Pelt, Funk & Funk, 
Andrews & Armstrong, J. W. McCord, II. 
W. Hanna; general merchandise, B. F. 
Howald, Wilson Burnside, G. B. Russell, 
Lundy Bros., C. Egbert (clothing); groceries, 
E. S. Foster, Consigny Bros., Frank Gleason; 
clothing, Evan Davis, J. H. Kate, William 
Mallory; hardware, Martin & Keller, S. II. 
Schryver; agricultural implements, Williams 
& Morrow, S. H. Si^hvyver; phi/sicians, J. D. 
Holmes; J. T. Breneman, P. M. Sheafor, J. 
Cloughly, S. H. Phelps ; jewelry, E. W. 
Beghtol; newspapers, " Times " and " Advo- 
cated^ ; millinery, Mrs. Frank Gleason, Mrs. 
Newmir'e and Miss Donaldson; lumber deal- 
ers, Charles Stuart & Son, A. A. Hubbard, 
II. Umphrey; furniture, W. i\. Miller, 
Horace Prentice (W. H. Scott, manager); 
barbers, Wilson Blackwood; meat market, A. 
A. Zaner; harness shops, D. E. Soar, Louis 
Tramp; blacksmiths, Neil Ross, Keen & Jump, 
R. G. Sands, H. B. Wilson; grain dealers, 
Charles Stuart & Son, George Gray, Wilson 
Burnside; ploio works, Steel & Yo\^ng•,dr^lgs, 
A. H. Roberts, W. Cloughly, J. T. Breneman; 
draymen, James Benefield, Joseph AUee, A. 
H. Herring, Joseph Heath and James PoUett; 
lioery, I. N. Simpson, W. P. Gardner, Good- 
win Thompson; shoemakers, Mr. Ott, John 
Both; art galleries, T. B. Mendenliall, I. E. 
Ililsaback; hotels, "Walker," "Grant " and 
" Weston." 

INOOEPOEATION AND WATEIt-AVOEKS. 

Audubon became an incorporated town in 
1881. The following liave served as mayors 
of the place: E. J. Freeman, 1881; J. Mack 
Love, 1882-'83; J. D. Holmes, 1884-'85; 
Charles Bagley, 1880-'87; A. F. Armstrong, 
1888. 

The first to hold this office was elected 



670 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. » 



witliout a single opposing vote and could 
have held the office for any number of years 
had he so chosen. He has had more to do 
with the care of the town and all her improve- 
ments, including the water-works, than any 
twenty men of the place. 

]No more effective system of water- works 
can be found in Iowa than here. The plant 
is of the " direct pressure " style; the water 
is pumped by steam from a well located in 
the lower part of town, near the Rock Island 
depot, and is forced through a six-inch main 
up the principal street, through the public 
square, and to a large water tank, similar to 
those used by railroads; this tank holds 
34,000 barrels of water, which comes through 
a main 2,500 feet long. The pumps are 
worked by a good sized engine, simple in its 
construction. The pressure derived from t!ie 
138 feet elevation of these works is eighty 
pounds per square inch, while the amount of 
water capable of being forced through the 
main to the tank is 10,000 gallons per hour. 
The water thus supplied protects the town 
against fires, as well as all who may need it 
for domestic purposes. Besides, the town 
has a hook and ladder appliance; also two 
hose carts with 2,500 feet of hose. No 
destructive fires have occurred since the water 
system was put in. It has cost the town 
about $10,000, and has always been cared for 
by E. J. Freeman. 

I'UBHC SCHOOLS. 

Audubon is already widely known for her 
excellent scliools. Her first attempt at edu- 
cational matters was when the place was first 
started; a frame school building was erected, 
which was 18 x 24 feet. This was built in 
the autumn of 1878. Miss Kate Cameron 
tauirht the first term of school the foliowine: 
winter. Witii the almost magic like growth 
of the town more school-rooms had to be 



provided; one by one they were added, but 
they did not meet the approval of a highly 
enterprising class of citizens; even the one 
built in 1880, which was two stories high, 
containing four spacious rooms, failed to give 
sufficient room. This building cost §5,000. 
In the winter of 1886-'87 three schools, in- 
dependent of the four conducted at the High 
School building, were taught. This system 
became obnoxious to the citizens, and the 
general public sentiment was in favor of 
better buildings. A vote was taken and the 
measure carried by a large majority. Ac- 
cordingly the contract was let and carried out 
for the present elegant High School build- 
ing, which from first to last has cost not far 
from $15,000. The design combines both 
beauty of construction, symmetry and pro- 
priety. It is located on a commanding site, 
convenient to all parts of the place, and by 
the foresight of those who had the work in 
hand, the spacious grounds devoted to this 
purpose make it quite exempt from danger 
of fire by its surroundings, etc. 

For scholarship, etc., see educational item 
elsewhere in this work. 



CIVIC S0CIETIK8. 



Grand Army of the Rejjuhlic, Allison Post, 
No. 3^, was organized April 19, 1881, by 
twenty-two charter members. This post was 
named in honor of a Hardin County (Iowa) 
comrade named Eobert Allison, who was 
Captain of Company C, Sixth Iowa Infantry, 
and was killed at Mission Ividge, Tennessee. 
The original post, as above described, only 
existed about three months. Its first com- 
mander was C. S. Foster, and Beach lihooder 
was its adjutant. 

As more soldiers moved to the county, 
greater interest was taken, and finally the 
society was revived. The date of the re- 
organized post was May 4, 1883. The fol- 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



C71 



lowing were its first officers: E. J. Freeman, 
Commander; W. F. Stotts, Senior Vice- 
Commander; II. C. Paul], Junior Vice- 
Commander; M. Nichols, Adjutant; E. W. 
Beghtol, Officer of the Day; D. II. Walker, 
Quartermaster; J. W. B. Cole, Outside Guard. 
The latter named was the leading spirit in 
bringing about the re-organized post, and has 
ever taken aprominent part and has passed all 
the official chairs. 

The officers of 1888 were: E. Baxter, Com- 
mander; H. W. Wilson, Vice-Commander; 
H. E. Cole, Junior Vice-Commander; II. F'. 
Andrews, Officer of the Day; Clark Cross, 
Adjutant; A. II. Edwards, Outside Guard. 

The present membership is 132. The post 
nsed the Odd Fellows' Hall as a place of meet- 
ing for the first two years, after which they 
leased and fitted up Grand Army Hall, used 
for this and no other purpose excepting the 
Womans' Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans. 

The Womans' Relief Corps, of Audubon, 
JVo. 3S, was organized in June, 1885, with 
the following named as first officers: Mrs. 
Lizzie Kimball, President; Myrtle A. Cole, 
Senior Vice-President; Mrs. Lydia Rosen- 
berg, Junior Vice-Conductor; Mrs. Esther 
Bryan, Conductor; Mrs. Almeda Nichols, 
Chaplain; Mrs. Emma Matthias, Treasurer; 
Mrs. Fanny Talbot, Secretary. 

The officers serving in 1888 were: Mrs. 
Lydia Rosenberg, President; Mrs. Esther 
Bryan, Senior Vice-President; Mrs. Lorana 
Cole, Junior Vice-President; Mrs. Alice Con- 
signey, Conductor; Aliss D. E. Di.\, Chaplain; 
Miss Belle Hanna, Secretary; Mrs. Delia Ott, 
Treasurer. 

The Sons of Veterans, Camp Siuart, No. 
50, of Audubon, was organized October 13, 
1885, and now has a membership of over fifty, 
all made up from soisof men who " wore the 
blue" from 1861 to 1865 in the Rebellion. 

The first officers were: A. L. Wever, Cap- 



tain; D. L. Freeman, First Lieutenant; C. H. 
Ro.llins, Second Lieutenant; Ed. Delahoydc, 
First Sergeant; W. S. Kimball, Quarter- 
master. 

The present officers are: Major D. L. Free- 
man, Captain; L.J. Yagey, First Lieutenant; 
E. M. Cole, Second Lieutenant; Charles Rose, 
Orderly Sergeant. 

Captain Freeman was elected Major of the 
State of Iowa Division in June, 1888. 

Captain Charles Stuart, for whom the 
camp w;is named, being a wealthy and liberal 
man, donated about $800 worth of arms, etc. 
to the camp. This donation included seventy- 
two fine new Springfield breech-loading rifles, 
with all necessary accouterments, and 1,000 
rounds of ammunition. This was indeed a 
goodly gift and one which stimulated the 
lively interest already taken by the Sons of 
Veterans at Audubon. 

Veritas Lodge, No. 393, A. F. cfe A. M., 
worked under dispensation from February 18, 
1879, to July of the same year. The follow- 
ing were the officers and charter members: 
E. W. Beightol, Worshipful Master; A. L. 
Sanborn, J. R. A¥. D.; E. H. Kimball, S. R. 
W. D.; Joseph Snider, William Wilde, W. 
L. Swaney, Charles Wheeler, A. L. Campbell, 
C. H. Earhart, J. C. Bonwell, F. H. Burr 
(Secretary), R. M. Hubbard (Treasurer), R. G. 
Sands. January 1, 1889, they had a mem- 
bership of eighty-one. The present officials 
are: John D. Holmes, Worshipful Master; 
M. F. Johnson, Senior Warden; John B. 
Doak, Junior Warden; W. II. Scott, Treas- 
urer; Fred W. Brown, Secretary. 

Amity Chapter, No. 93, Royal Arch Ma- 
sons, was organized April 28, 1881. The 
following named were charter members: 
Thomas Chadwick, E. W. Beightol, A. F. 
Armstrong, Henry Young, A. S. Rodgers, 
Phillip Young, I. A. Shingledecker, F. M. 
Jones, R. G. Sands, George E. Hastings. 



C73 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.^ 



The first officers were: Thomas Cliadwick, 
High Priest; E. W. Beightol, Kiug; A. F. 
Armstrong, Scribe. In 1889 the officers 
were: A. H. Roberts, High Priest; Thomas 
Walker, Secretary; Charles Van Gorder, Treas- 
urer. 

Godfrey Commaiidery, No. ^.Jf., of Knight 
Templars, was instituted June 22, 1882. The 
charter members were as follows: Sir Knight 
E. S. Foster, E. C; Sir Knight I. H. Shingle- 
decker, G. I.; Sir Knight E. J. Freeman, 
Captain General; Sir Knight H. W. Hanna, 
Recorder; Sir Knight John iS'orris, Treasurer. 
Sir Knight A. F. Armstrong, Sir Knight 
William H. Scott, Sir Knight E. W. Beightol, 
Sir Knight Ed. B. Cousins, Sir Knight Will- 
iam Burnside, Sir Knight George E. Hastings, 
Sir Knight F. M. Jones. 

The present number belonging to this com- 
mandery is forty-six. The officers at present 
are: Sir Knight A. F. Armstrong, Eminent 
Commander; Sir Knight W. H. Scott, G. 1. ; 
Sir Knight B. W. Brown, Captain General; 
Sir Knight H. W. Hanna, Recorder; Sir 
Knight Charles Van Gorder, Treasurer. At 
this writing they have twenty-seven fine uni- 
forms and are in a flourishing condition. 

Aiiduhon Chapter, U. D., Order Eastern 
Star, was instituted ]Sovember 21, 1888, by 
a charter membership of sixty-one. Officers: 
Mrs. Gertrude R. Nash, W. Matron; Mrs. A. 
H. Roberts, W. Patron ; Mrs. B. W. Brown, 
A. Matron; Mrs. Eva Freeman, Treasurer; 
Mrs. H. W. Hanna, Secretary; Mrs. H. W. 
Wilson, Conductor. 

Knights of Pythias, Audubon Lodge, No. 
163, was organized Juue 10, 1886, with a 
charter membership of twenty-five. The first 
set of officers were: H. P. Albert, P. C; 
P. W. Ledyard, C. C; W. H. O'Conuell, V. 
C; W. II. McClure, Prelate; E. R. Darling- 
ton, M. of F.; James A. IS'ash, M. of Ex.; 
James F. Consigiiy, K. of R. S.; A. L. 



Wever, M. at A.; Seth Paine, I. G.; Edwin 
Delahoyde, O. G. 

The officers elected in the winter of 1888- 
'89 were: W. H. Negley, P. C; J. A. 
Wheatley, C. C; Seth Paine, V. C; John 
Weigh ton. Prelate; B. F. Howald, M. at A.; 
F. E. Brainard, K. of R.; W. "W. Talbot, M. 
of Ex.; John Dawson, M. of F.; B. F. Ken- 
nedy, I. G.; A. L. Wever, O. G. 

W. H. O'Connell, of this lodge, was re- 
cently elected district deputy. The present 
standing of the lodge is excellent. It now 
numbers seventy -four, all of whom take deep 
interest in tlie order. They meet at Castle 
Hall, in John A. Nash's building. 

Iowa Legion of Honor, Audubon Lodge, 
No. 115, was organized July 12, 1881, by J. 
H. Helm, D. G. P., of the State of Iowa. 
There were twenty-one charter members. The 
first officers were as follows: G. H. Jones, 
President; E. C. Brown, Vice-President; 
Frank Gleason, Recording Secretary; John 
A. Nash, Financial Secretary; Wilson Burn- 
side, Treasurer; W. D. Blackwood, Usher; H. 
M. Talbot, Sentinel. The present member- 
ship is thirty, and the insurance it represents 
(for its object is purely life insurance) is 
§72,000. It is looked upon as the very best, 
safest and cheapest means of life insurance in 
Iowa to-day. 

Its present officers are: F. Gleason, Presi- 
dent; G. H. Jones, Vice-President; H. F. 
Andrews, Recording and Financial Secretary 
and Treasurer; William Merser, Chaplain; 
J. C. F. Wicker, Usher; J. Miner, D. K.; 
W. C. Barton, Sentinel. 

Aretas Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 396, at 
Audubon, was instituted in August, 1879. 
The first set of officers were: H. E. Cole, 
Noble Grand; S. P. Rhooder, First Vice- 
Grand; George Myres, Secretary. There 
were thirteen charter members. The largest 
number ever belonging to the lodge at any 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



673 



one time was seventy-six; thepresent raember- 
eiiip (per last report) is fifty-seven. 

The j)resent officers are: Seth Paine, N. 
G.; H. Rohrbech, V. G.; E. U. Funk, Secre- 
tary; George Ellis, Treasurer. The lodge 
meets each Monday evening at William Cul- 
bertson's hall. The order contemplate build- 
ing in the near future, having now in their 
possession about $5,000 worth of real prop- 
erty. 

Nishnahotna Tribe, No. 8, I. 0. li. M., 
was organized in November, 1886. Thelirst 
officers were as follows: J. A. Ilornberger, 
Senior Sagamore; D. C. Abrams, Junior 
Sachem; John F. Consigny, Chief of Eecords; 
A. F. Fails, Keeper of Wampum; H. P. 
Albert, Prophet. 

The present officers are: E. S. Foster 
Sachem; M. F. Johnson, Senior Sachem; 
Charles Weston, Junior Sachem; J. W. B. 
Cole, Prophet; II. U. Funk, Chief of Rec- 
ords; Eli Weston, Keeper of Wampum. 

The object of tliis purely American secret 
order is the promotion of Freedom, Friend- 
ship and Charity, founded upon the customs 
and traditions of the North American In- 
dians. A good " Red Man " can not fail to 
be a good citizen and a true patriot. At 
present the order have their own lodge room 
in Forbes's Block. 

Besides the above orders, there is a well- 
working Good Templars' lodge at Audubon, 
to which many of the best business men 
belong. 

CHURCHES. • 

2'he Methodist Episcopal Church at Au- 
dubon was lirst a charge on Hamlin Circuit. 
This society, as has been tiie case in nearly 
all new countries, was the first to herald the 
glad tidings of the gospel in Audubon, hold- 
ing the first religious services in the place 
December 14, 1878, at ivhich time only four- 



teen persons were present. A. II. Roberts 
is now the only one here who was present. 
The church, independent of its connection 
with any circuit, was organized in. February, 
1879, the iirst quarterly meeting occurring 
February 8 and 9 of the same year; Rev. 
John Ilestwood, P. E., was present. At 
that time A. H. Roberts was elected trustee. 

In 1880 a church edifice was erected at a 
cost of about §2,700. It is situated on the 
corner of Tracy and Chicago streets, and in 
1886 additional improvements were made 
under Rev. Harris's pastorate to the amount 
of $1,000. These improvements included the 
building of the gallery, decorating, etc. The 
church has a seating capacity of over 300, 
and is the finest furnished in Audubon. It 
should here be mentioned that the church 
edifice was dedicated December 12, 1880, by 
Rev. W. T. Smith, P. E. A good parsonage 
was provided in 1884, now valued at §600; 
it is located on the grounds adjoining the 
church lots. As one visits this church at 
the sound of the fine 800-pound bell suspended 
in the neat belfry, and is made comfortable 
in the coldest weather by a Hess impi'oved 
heater, he can not fail to note the contrast 
with days when services were held in dingy 
school-rooms, illy heated, and poorly lighted 
by candles tacked to the walls on either side! 
The present membership of the society is an 
even 100, while its Sabbath-school, which was 
formed April 13, 1879, now numbers 160. 

The following faithful servants have served 
the church as pastors: Rev. John W. Lewis, 
from September, 1878, to September, 1879; 
Rev. A. W. Armstrong, one year; Rev. W. 
C. Smith, two years; Rev. L. M. Campbell, 
one year; Rev. J. AV. Bott, three years; Rev. 
Joseph B. Harris, the present pastor. 

The First Presbyterian Chxirch of Audu- 
bon was organized April 14, 1879, with a 
membership of seven, by a committee from 



674 



EI STORY OF AUDUBON COUNTT> 



the Conncil Bluffs presbytery. For nearly a 
year services were held in the old school- 
bouse. The following June a church edifice 
was raised, which was 38 x 60 feet. When 
partly enclosed it was swept from the founda- 
tion by a violent wind storm; this was an ex- 
pense to the society of about $500. The 
structure w^as completed, however, at a cost 
of about $3,500. 

The first services were held in the new 
church January 18, 1880, being the first re- 
ligious services lield within a church build- 
ing in Audubon. The church was then 
closed until March 28, when it was opened 
with a communion service, which was also 
the first Lord's Supper celebrated in an Audu- 
bon church edifice. The house was dedicated 
Sal)l)ath morning. May 9, 1880. Rev. E. B. 
Cousins was duly installed the first pastor, 
serving for four years. His successors were 
Kev. D. A. Blose, fifteen months; Rev. J. A. 
Bartlett, one year; Rev. E. Dickinson is the 
present pastor. 

The First Baptist Church was organized 
A}>ril 1, 1881, at a meeting conducted by 
Rev. D. D. Proper. The charter members of 
the society are : E. F. Fales, Mrs. C. A. 
Fales, n. M. Talbot, Mrs. M. Scott, Mrs. E. 
J. Ford, Mrs. V. Sands, Mrs. S. Davis, Rev. 
A. Y. Sharpnack and wife, II. W. Talbot, F. 
Van Pelt, Mary J. Van Pelt, Elnora Howald, 
V. Sands, Isabel Harris, Mrs. E. M. Funk. 

The first deacons were E. M. Fales and 
Frank M. Van Pelt. The first clerk and 
treasurer was II. M. Talbot. 

Rev. A. F. Sliarpnack was engaged to 
j)reach once in two weeks for the first year. 

The first covenant meeting was held April 
27, 1881. The church made but little growth 
and advancement until recently. Some re- 
moved, while others seemed for the time to 
slacken their former zeal in the cause they 
had once espoused. Hence it was that the 



society has but little history to record until 
October, 1887, when the society was reorgan- 
ized, embracing some few of the remaining 
charter members. In September, 1888, plans 
were matured for the erection of a church. 
Lots were purchased of the railroad company, 
directly opposite the court-house and jail 
buildings. During the present winter (1888 
-'9) a good-sized building is being erected, 
which will cost about $3,000 when finished. 
Rev. A. C. Zollhoffer was pastor when the plans 
for building were made, but in Octo!)er of 
the same year (1888) he resigned. The church 
is not large in numbers, but all seem desirous 
of work, and whoever records the history of 
the church in another decade will doubtless 
find this society flourishing. 

The Roman Catholic Church, under the 
watch-care of the priest at Atlantic, is in a 
fairly good condition at Audubon. They 
have a comfortable frame church building, 
situated on East Hilh Its size is 28x45 feet. 
There are not many Catholics living near 
Audubon, but those are well cared for in the 
above charge. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1888. 

Opera house, G. W. Russell; banks, Au- 
dubon County Bank, Commercial Bank, Citi- 
zens' Bank, all private l>aiiking concerns; 
dry goods and general stocks, Russell & Sons, 
B. F. Howald, John Van Scoy, R. Lenox; 
groceries, John Consigny, Fisher Bros., B. F. 
Howald, Will D. Forbes, Will Gleason, T. S. 
Francis, W. Talbott, W. Rosenburgh; drug 
stores, Dr. Cloughley, William Cloughley, A. 
B. Roberts, O. J. Houston; hardware dealers, 
McKarahan & Vanderbei-gh, John Rhine- 
nund, Setii Paine; farm implements, McFar- 
lane, Dickey & Co., Clark Cross, George 
Keen, Seth Paine, II. A. Jump; grain deal- 
ers, Charles Stuart & Son, IJiirnside & Fran- 
cis, Henry Grovesmuhl, Herbert &, Johnson, 



mSTOllY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



075 



George Gray; lumber, Charles Stuart & Son, 
Green liay Lumber Co., Henry Roherbeck; 
clothing, John *lvate, D. C. Abrains, B. 
F. Howald; jewelry, O'Conuel Bros., Will 
Cowles; hotels, Walker House (commercial), 
Stuart House, Grant House, Northwestern 
Hotel, Weston House; newspapers, Audubon 
County RepuMican, Advocate; restaurants. 
Will D. Forbes, AVilliam Rosenberg; boots 
and shoes, J. Forbes ct Son; millinery. Miss 
Dix, Miss Walker; harness shops, David 
Soar, Harp Wilson; blacksmith shops, James 
Round, George Keen, H. A. Jump, Doc. Wil- 
son; shoemaker, William Ott; wagon shop, 
George Keen; meat markets, Prather Bros., 
Doak &, Co.; marble works, Wallace Van 
Gorder; furniture, Scott Bros.; physicians. 
Dr. Cloughley, J. D. Holmes, C. W. De 
Motte, Dr. Lass, J. M. Rendleman ; attorneys 
at law, Nash, Phelps & Green, H. W. Hanna, 
J. N. Griggs, Thomas F. Myres, A. F. Arm- 
strong, Charles Bagley, H. F. Andrews, E. 
H. Hurd, F. E. Brainard, H. U. Funk; roller 
mills, Kuhn, Culver & Co.; ])hotographers, 
Harper, T. B. Mendenhall; livery sta- 
bles, Charles Benton, Tharnish Bro., Isham 
Bro. ; express companies, American, United 
States; railways. Rock Island & Pacific 
branch and the Chicago & Northwestern 
branch. 

BANKING HOUSES. 

The first banking concern to operate in 
Audubon was first organized in 1876, at 
Exira, as the "Audubon County Bank," 
which in December, 1878, removed to Audu- 
bon, still retaining its original name. It was 
started by Whitney & Van Gorder, but is 
now the property of diaries Van Gorder and 
has a capital of $00,000. It is a private 
bank, enjoying good patronage, its proprietor 
being among the early settlers and most 
highly esteemed men of his county. 

43 



The Citizens' Bank was established in 
1884. Thomas F. Morrow, President; E. J. 
Freeman, Cashier. This is a private banking 
house, as well as the other two banks of 
Audubon. It does a good business and has 
the good- will of all the citizens in Audubon 
County, who know the concern is one of 
safety and trust to all who deal there. 

The Commercial Bank was organized Jan- 
uary 1, 1887. The officers are: William Leet, 
President; William H. Negley, Cashier. The 
capital stock, paid up, is §50,000. The first 
year they occupied a part of Van Gorder's 
Block, but January 1, 1888, removed to their 
present elegant quarters in " Park Place." 
They have the finest furniture of any bank- 
ing house in the county. 

EXIRA. 

This is a beautifully situated village of 
about 600 population, located in Exira Town- 
ship, in the southern part of Audubon County. 
It is among the earliest villages of the county; 
it was platted June 1, 1857, by P. I. Whitted, 
County Surveyor. Its original plat comprised 
fifty acres on section 4, township 78, range 
35, west. 

"Houston's Addition" was platted Sep- 
tember 2, 1878. "West Exira," near the 
depot, was platted March 29, 1879, by a com- 
pany composed of H. T. Andrews, William 
F. Stotts, Henry B. Houston and John N. 
Griggs. The main part of the place is nestled 
in a charming grove, on a rise of ground 
which afibrds good streets and excellent build- 
ini^ locations. Until the town of Audubon 
sprung up, upon the building of the railroad, 
Exira was the only place of any considerable 
importance in tiie county. 

The first house erected in Exira was the 
property of County Judge D. M. Harris, and 
was built in the fall of 1857. It was after- 
ward moved to Audubon. The first business 



G7U 



niSTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



house built for business purposes was the one 
owned by John D. Bush. Goods had been 
Bold, however, from different private houses 
long before this. 

A. B. Houston sold the first goods from a 
store; there had been peddlers coming and 
going before his store opened, which was in 
1864. 

The first to sell drugs in the place was 
a man named Scott, from Guthrie Center, 
who was just before Ilardenbrook. 

The first to deal in hardware were Russell 
& Stotts. 

The first dealer in furniture was A. J. 
Braiuard. 

The first harness- maker was David Soar. 

The firot-shoemaker was a man named 
"Wilson. 

The first blacksmith was Thomas Trneman, 
of whom many funny incidents are told; 
among others it is related that the bad youth 
of the pioneer village stopped up his chim- 
ney flue, by raining old carpets and green 
pumpkins down from the top. When "Tom " 
started his forge fire, there being no chance 
for the smoke to escape elsewhere, it filled 
the dingy shop full, to the astonishment of 
the honest smith, but to the merriment of 
the young rascals. So hard had the flue 
been packed that it had to be taken down part 
way. It is further related of this pioneer 
blacksmith that when he left for Oregon Ter- 
ritory, that he lead a cow upon whose back 
hun<r a sack of corn meal, from which he 
would cook his meals, while the poor anima 
freely furnished him milk- — it was a novel 
way for emigrating, indeed ! 

THE POSTOFFIOE 

was established at Exira in 1857, with all the 
usual pioneer laughable incidents connected 
with its service. Mail came once a week 
each way, and in place of boxes for each 



patron of the office, the mail was thrown 
down on the floor and the letters strung 
around in the form of a -dircle, and as each 
person called for his mail he was shown the 
circle and from it he would select that which 
he thought was his! 

The following gentlemen have served as 
postmasters at Exira : 

D. M. Harris, C. E. Frost, John D. Bush, 
B. F. Thackery, Caleb Bundy, George Hard- 
enbrook, M. A. Mills, William Milliraan. 

In 1887 a sweeping fire, which destroyed 
eleven business houses, burned the postotfice 
and all of its early records. 

EARLY INCIDENTS. 

It is related of one of the early preachers 
of the gospel that so ardent was he to in- 
crease his flock, that he loaned a young man 
a suit of his every-day clothes to attend 
divine worship in. This was kept up some 
time, but not unfrequently did the minister 
have to go to the good brother's home to ob- 
tain his clothes to work in. Finally the 
"brother" skipped the country, taking the 
pioneer minister's only every-day clothes ! 
It is said that the good man's faith was 
made strong in the doctrine of "total de- 
pravity ! " 

The first death occurring at Exira was that 
of the wife of Merideth Ilowland in 1859. 

The first old-fashioned frame barn built in 
the county was erected by B. Milliman in 
July, 1857. It occasioned much talk and 
ended in a rousing old-time "raising." The 
good neighbors were requested to assist, and 
all agreed to come at the time appointed. 
They came but refused to do the work until 
something was provided to drink! So Mr. 
Milliman told his hired man to get some 
whisky up to the village, then just platted; 
but the man found nothing but a brand of 
what was known as "Ault's Bitters," which 



HISTORY OF AUDUUON COUNTY. 



677 



lie purchased. However, before lie had time 
to unload his other goods, the bitters had all 
disappeared — nothing but the empty bottle to 
raise the big barn with — it would not move 
a peg until a man had been detached to go 
and procure more bitters. This being done 
the pioneer barn of the county went up rap- 
idly. The younger generations know but little 
of "raisings" and far less of whisky than 
did their forefathers — especially since Iowa's 
prohibitory liquor law was enacted in 1882. 



SCHOOLS. 



The first start toward educational advantages 
at Exira was in 1857, where the first school- 
house was built. The building was 24 x 30 
feet, and was finally converted into a dwelling 
house, now owned by M. A. Mills. Its origi- 
nal cost was $1,300, which was paid, not in 
casA, but in farm produce, work, etc. Judge 
Harris figured out the plan of erecting a 
school-house with no money, only enough to 
purchase glass for the windows and some little 
hardware. He planned it with the treasurer so 
that no money was needed, as none could be 
obtained. It was a trade deal all around; a 
man would bring in wheat, corn, produce (for 
the workmen), or lumber, and the treasurer 
would give him a receipt in full for what 
would ordinarily have been cash taxes for 
school-house purposes. Thus the work went 
on and a $1,300 school-house was erected at 
an expenditure of less than $100 in money; 
j)ioneer ingenuity was indeed great in Audu- 
bon County. It should here be added, that 
the only loss met with in the building of this 
school-house was about four gallons of linseed 
oil which had been drunk by a cow — stock 
were allowed to run at large then! 

This school-house served until 1871, when 
a part of the present fine school-house was 
erected. It was at first a two-room, two-story 
house, costing $2,800. About 187r)-'77 



Exira was set off as an independent district, 
and in 1880 additions were naade to the for- 
mer house, making it what it now is; such 
additional building cost $3,500. The first to 
teach at Exira was Lewis Ilarvitt, now a well- 
to-do man of Panora, Iowa. For further 
account of Exira schools see county superin- 
tendent's report — tabular form — elsewhere in 
this book. 



CHUKOHES. 



The first religious services about Exira were 
held by the Methodist Episcopal people, but 
the first denomination to erect a church edi- 
fice was the Congregationalist; a society was 
formed in 1859, Rev. Oren Cummings being 
the first minister. This society did not con- 
tinue long, but in 1871 it was re-organized 
by Rev. J. Toft, and a church building was 
erected at a cost of several thousand dollars 
in the same year, which comfortably seats 
400 persons. Quite an amount was donated 
toward building the church by wealthy people 
in the New England States. The present 
membership of the church is sixty-five. As 
the records are somewhat scattered it is im- 
possible to give a detailed history of this 
organization, or even its pastors' names. 

The Christian (^Disciple) Church was formed 
with twenty-two members in 1876. The fol- 
lowing season a house of worship was erected 
which was 38x54, costing $1,400. The 
present membership is forty-eight. The first 
elder was J. M. Crocker. While there has 
never been a meeting missed since the society 
was formed, yet they have not always been 
supplied with a preacher. The present elder 
is Rev. G. AV. Hamilton. The church at one 
time enumerated 12G persons, and it is now 
the only denomination of its kind in tlio 
county having a building. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Exira 
has the honor of being the oldest in the county 



C78 



niHTORY OP AUDBON COUNTY. 



of any denomination. A Rev. Mr. Mann came 
to the county as early as 1854 and first sowed 
the seeds of Methodism. He gathered a few 
of that faith together at the home of William 
11. II. Bowen, one mile southwest of Ham- 
lin's Grove. Later on quite a number of 
Methodists settled about Exira, and a " class" 
was duly organized at the house of Levi 
Montgomery, near the present plat. Rev. 
James Rand was their first preacher, coming 
in 1856-'57. The names of those forming 
this first class, which was also the first in Au- 
dubon County, are as follows: Levi ALont- 
gomery and wife, George and Phoebe Sharp, 
Mary Anderson, Ann Crane, Nathaniel Wig- 
gins and wife. Levi Montgomery was the first 
leader chosen. The first quarterly meeting was 
held in the nutumn of 1858. Of this pioneer 
band only three were alive January 1, 1889 — 
Mary Anderson, Ann Crane, and perhaps 
Nathaniel Wiggins. 

Up to 1870 E.xira was one of seven stations 
on a circuit, but from that date was alone. 
After the erection of the Congregational 
church in 1870-'71 the Methodists used it 
for their place of worship until 1873, when 
they erected a plain building 24 x 32 feet. It 
was erected on the stock-company plan at first. 
In 1881, however, a church of fine propor- 
tions and finish was built costing §3,100; the 
same was dedicated January 22, 1882, by 
Rev. W. T. Smith. The following have 
served as pastors, regularly or as supplies, in 
about the order in which they are here given: 
Rev. Mann, Rev. James Rand, Rev. Rust, 
Rev. Baker, Rev. D. B. Clary, Rev. Spooner, 
Rev. S. W. Milligan, Rev. Phillips, Rev. J. 
G. Gates, Rev. M. Sheets, Rev. William Abra- 
ham, Rev. Records, Rev. J. Levan, Rev. John 
G. Gates, Rev. G. W. Saint, Rev. George 
Couffer, Rev. B. L. Jackson, Rev. W. T. Reid, 
Rev. J. W. Hardin, Rev. W. R. Douglass, 
Rev. C. H. Mcintosh, Rev. D. C. Adams, 



Rev. J. W. Bott, Rev. W. W. Danner, Rev. 
F. T. Stevenson, Rev. L. C. Burling, Rev. L. 
T. Leary. 

INCORPOEATION. 

Exira became an incorporated town by an 
election held December 13, 1880, resulting 
in a vote of ninety for as against fifty-eight 
contrary to the measure. 

The following gentlemen have served the 
incorporated town as mayor: 

J. R. Rudge, 1881; R. W. Griggs, 1882- 
'83; J. B. Connrardy, 1884; A. B. Houston, 
1885; J. E. Toft, 1886-'87-'88. 

SOCIETIES. 

Exira is not far behind her sister towns in 
supporting her civic societies, which now 
consist of the Masonic, Ancient Order of 
United AVorkmen, Good Templars and 
Knights of Pythias. 

Exodus Lodge, No. 3^'2, A. F. di A. M., 
held its first meeting (under dispensation) 
August 24, 1874, dispe^isation having been 
granted by J. Chapman, Grand Master, on 
August 6, 1874. There was a charter mem- 
bership of thirteen. The first officers were 
as follows: 

AV. J. Harris, Worshipful Master; Thomas 
Walker, Senior Warden; E. C. Wadsworth, 
Junior AVarden; A. B. Houston, Treasurer; 
A. L. Campbell, Secretary; H. RansforJ, 
senior Deacon; J. P. Lair, Junior Deacon; 
George Calf, Tyler. 

The officers at present date are: John 
Riley, AVorshipful Master; I. L. Statzell, 
Senior Warden; George C. Jeffries, Junior 
AWirden; E. AVatson, Treasurer; V. P. Hell- 
yer. Secretary ; S. C. AVatson, Senior Deacon; 
T. H. Allen, Junior Deacon; AV. H. Sevey, 
Senior Scribe; J. Rabson, Junior Scribe; 
John Dicus, Tyler. 

The Ancient Order of United Workmen 
of Exira was instituted June 28, 1884, with 



niSTOIir OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



679 



fifteen charter members. The first officers 
were: W. W. Banner, Past Master Work- 
man; George Hardenbrook, Master Work- 
man; B. F. Tlionias, Foreman; George C. 
JeftVies, Overseer; T. G. Bryant, Recorder; 
W. W. Sickles, Financier; C. F. Willcutt, 
lleceiver; Charles Howlett, Guide; T. H 
Allen, Inside Watchman; C. II. Howe, Out- 
side Watchman. 

The present membership of the order is 
thirtj-one. Its officers elect for 1889 are: 

C. F. Willcutt, Past Master Workman; 
John Riley, Master Workman; George C. 
Jeffries, Foreman; M.G.Mitchell, Recorder; 
George Hardenbrook, Financier; A. G. Bru- 
ner. Receiver; Wesley Smith, Guide; S. D. 
May, Inside Watchman; I. L. Statzell, Out- 
side Watchman. 

Knights of Pythias, Exira Lodge, No. 
181, was instituted September, 1887, by 
nineteen charter members. The following 
were the first officers: 

H. F. Andrews, Chancellor Commander; 
Erwin Watson, yice-Chancellor; Charles H. 
Andrews, Keeper of Records and Seals; F. 
A. Shaw, Prelate; G. W. Gurnsey, M. A.; 
William E. Coleman, M. F.; John Hunter, 
M. E. ; William Carpenter, Inside Guard; 
A. C. Andrews, Outside Guard. 

Their present membership is <ibout fifty. 
The past chancellors are: F. J. Shrouger, 
H. F. Andrews, Erwin Watson. 

The present (1889) officers are: 

E.Watson, Chancellor Commander; Charles 
II. Andrews, Vice-Chancellor; OttoWithauer, 
Keei^cr of Records and Seals; W. M. Cole- 
man, Prelate; J. M. Thomas, M. A.; G. H. 
Ilcnshaw, M. F.; W. M. Carpenter, M. E.; 
G. W. Conklin, Inside Guard; I. N. Seibert, 
Outside Guard. 

They have a well fitted hall wiiich they 
occupy exclusively, and are now the strongest 
secret order at E.xira. 



Good Templars Lodge, No. £^^3, was or- 
ganized by thirty-two charter members, Au- 
gust 9, 1886. The first officers were: 

D. Repass, AYorthy Chief Templar; Mrs. 
John D. Shaw, Vice-Templar; Mrs. L. B. 
Mills, Secretary; W. H. E. Fulton, Chaplain; 
F. A. Shaw, Past Worthy Chief Templar; 
Alice Gates, Financial Secretary; M. A. 
Mills, Treasurer; C. L. Pattison, Marshal; 
Ida Repass, D. M. ; Lena Hardenbrook, Guide ; 
S. J. Clure, Sentinel; Amelia Cisney, R. H, 
S.; E. M. Statzell, L. H. S.; A. S. Cisney, 
Deputy. 

The present membership is about seventy, 
and the lodge is in a fine condition, beinc a 
great lever in handling the local temperance 
matters in and about Exira. The officers elect 
for 1888 were: 

Charles Marble, Worthy Chief Templar; 
Alice Gates, Worthy Vice; W. R. Copeland, 
Secretary; T. R. Leary, Chaplain; N. H. 
Bowman, Past Worthy Chief Templar; J. T. 
Carmichael, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Will- 
iam Fulton, Treasurer; Oliver Craig, Mar- 
shal; Belle Kelsey, D. M.; Lena Hardenbrook, 
Inside Guard; Eaton Seavy, Outside Guard; 
Mrs. Genette Roseman, Superintendent of 
Juvenile Work; J. G. Gates, Deputy. 

BUSINESS INTEEEST8 OF 1888. 

Attorney, I. L. Statzell; agricultural im- 
plements, D. E. Shrauger & Co.; bank. Bank 
of Exira, E. Watson, Cashier; barber, Will- 
iam E. Coleman; blacksmiths, E. D. Wood- 
ward, J. B. Danner; drugs, Shaw & Patterson 
George Hardenbrook; dray lines, Ed. Clure, 
Wesley Smith; general merchandise. Cotton 
& Hash, Ilenshaw, Thomas & Co.; grain 
dealers, C. E. Myers & Co., H. Andrews & 
Co.; furniture, J. W. Patterson; harness 
shops, George C. JellVitis, Joseph Clure; 
hotels, A. Ilerrick, II. Sibert; hardware, 
Lair & Co., A. C. Smith; jewelry, O. L. Pat- 



680 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. " 



terson, S. J. Clure; livery, Fulton Bro., A. 
Cooper; lumber, Otto Witliauer, Green Cay 
Lumber Co.; millinery, Mrs. Ilanuab Camp- 
bell, Miss Flo AViids; meat market, I. Hunt; 
m ills, Gransberry Bro. ; newspaper. Journal, 
Guernsey, editor and ]>roprietor; physi- 
cians, C. H. Andrews, John Kiley; shoe- 
makers, John Stager, George C. Jeffries, D. 
AVorkraan. 

During the year 1888 what is known as 
tiie "Exira Coal Mining Company" was or- 
ganized at Exira, by some leading citizens, 
who represented a capital stock of $100,000. 
The president of the company was Lewis 
Born, and the secretary G. W. Guernsey. 
They at once engaged experts to go down by 
means of boring; this was continued until 
cold weather set in. Many indications were 
obtained of a paying bed of soft coal under- 
lying the surface from 100 to 300 feet. A 
forty-inch strata of coal was found at a depth 
of 204 feet. It remains to be seen whether 
the enterprise will prove one of financial 
value to Exira; all depends on amount of 
coal and its depth from the surface. 

BRAYTON. 
Tliis village is the second station on the 
railroad south of Audubon, and was platted 
December 16, 1878, by John S. and John T. 
Jenkins. Its geographical location is a thirty- 
acre tract of land along the south side of the 
northwest quarter of section 19, township 
78, range 35, west, and in what is known as 
Oakfield Township. It is but a short distance 
from the old village of Oakfield, where noth- 
ing remains in a business sense, except the 
flouring mill. Upon the building of the rail- 
road the business of Oakfield was removed to 
Brayton, which has come to be a thriving 
vilbige of between 100 and 200 people, with 
all the common branches of retail trade 
represented. 



A POSTOFFICE 

was established at this point in the spring of 
1S79. The first postmaster was John T. 
Jenkins, who was succeeded by O. F. Ide, 
October 1, 1886. 

Brayton was made a money-order office in 
August, 1882. The first order was issued 
August 7, to L. S. Cotton for $2.05, payable 
to E. S. Phelps, Galesburg, Illinois. Up to 
January 1, 1889, this office had issued 2,200 
money orders. 

BUSINESS FIRMS. 

The first house erected in the place was 
the blacksmith shop now occupied by L. N. 
Beck. John Cooper was the first blacksmith 
to stand beside a glowing forge at this point. 
Mr. Beck runs a large shop, in which he 
makes buggies and w^agons, and does general 
blacksmith work. 

The first general store was opened by K. 
Crumling, early in 1879. The present gen- 
eral stores are conducted by Reynolds & Ide, 
and Hanson & Bloom. 

The pioneer hardware dealer was J. Zim- 
merman, who embarked in trade in 1881. 
He sold to I. P. Hallock, who was shortly 
succeeded by John Anderson, and he sold to 
the present dealer, N. J. Nelson. 

The first to handle drugs was Burton & 
Kirkpatrick, who came in 1879. The drug 
trade is now in the hands of C. L. Bisom. 

Grain was first handled by Stockdale & 
Day, in 1878. The present dealers are Worth- 
ing & Foote, C. E. Myers & Co. 

The first lumber yard was owned by Will- 
iam Hoak, in 1878-'79. It is now controlled 
by the Green Bay Lumber Company. 

Live-stock dealers at the present time are 
Messrs. Jenkins, Myers & Co. 

The first hotel at Brayton was conducted 
by L II. Jenkins, who still entertains the 
weary traveler in a home-like and pleasing 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



081 



style. The other hotel of the village is run 
by a Dane named Chris Hanson. 

The first harness-maker was Daniel Car- 
penter, who came in 1886. It is now in the 
hands of Glaus Paulson. 

The first shoemaker was Chris Thompson, 
in 1887. He is still the only one represent- 
ing this branch. 

The meat business has been in the hands 
of many; the first was run by a "cow-boy" 
from the plains. 

An ofier was made by Mr. Jenkins, pro- 
prietor of the town, of SlOO to any society 
who would build a church. Tiie Congrega- 
tional people tried to avail themselves of 
such offer, but did not succeed. A building, 
however, was built by subscription, and for a 
time used for such purpose, as well as for a 
school in summer time. At present there is 
no church organization at Brayton, neither a 
regular school, except the district school out- 
side the plat. 

PIONEER ODD FELLOWS LODGE. 

"Audubo7i" Lodge of I. 0. 0. F., No. 
217, is the oldest secret society in the county, 
having been organized at an early day at the 
now defunct village of Louisville. The date 
was soon after the Rebellion closed. The lodge 
was then moved to'Oakfield, and from there 
to Brayton, where the order is in a flourish- 
ing condition, owning a good building 22 x 
46 feet, costing $1,000. The upper part is 
used for their lodge-room, while they rent 
the first story for a temperance billiard hall. 

The present officers are: I. N. Horton, N. 
G.; A. H. Early, V. G.; Peter F. Howell, 
Secretary; D. A. Wethcrby, Treasurer. 

The present memljcrship is forty. More 
members were taken in upon one night than 
were ever taken in by any other lodge in the 
district — six )>erson8 going in at one time. 

Besides this order Brayton is represented 



by the " Danish Brotherhood" a newly or- 
ganized society, now numbering only about 
2,000 in the United States. The lodge at 
Brayton (No. 31) was instituted October 20, 
1888, by ten charter members. They have 
increased to seventeen. Their officers are: 
Jacob Bloom, President; Jacob Benedixen, 
Vice-President; Peter Jacobson, Secretary; 
Chris Christianson, Treasurer; Hans Nyman, 
Inside Guard; N. L. Beck, Outside Guard; 
Hans Hanson, ex-President. 

This order meets twice each month, and 
bids fair to become a popular society among 
the Danes. 

SOEGHUM MANUFACTUEINO. 

No locality in Iowa at present produces 
more sorghum than does Oakfield Township. 
There are several large concerns making this 
product. The soil and late seasons seem to 
make it a certain and profitable crop to raise. 
Cotton Brothers, at Oakfield, run a flouring- 
mill, and also have extensive sorghum works, 
both running by water-power. During the 
past year (1888) not less than 40,000 gallons 
have been made. It commands a higher 
price than ordinary syrups, and will be had 
at twice the cost, if possible. 

GRAY. 

Gray is a station on the Carroll branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and is 
situated on section 12 of Lincoln Township, 
near the north line of the county. The land 
was formerly owned by George and Fannie 
Gray. The plat was tiled for record August 
10, 1881. However, the road did not come 
until early in 1882. 

The first to engage in business was Will- 
iam Johnson, who started a general store. 
AVilliam Stotts also started in the same line 
of business that season. 

The first to deal in hardware in the place 
was Theodore Myres. 



CS-3 



niSTORY OF AUDUBON GOUNTr. » 



The first hotel was built for L. C. Whipple 

in 1882; the same is now idle, the large 
building being owned by George Gray. 

George Gray, proprietor of the village, 
built a large steam elevator of 33,000-bushel 
capacity; also a spacious office in which he 
transacts the business of his grain-house, be- 
sides that of his ranch of 1,500 acres close to 
the village plat. Upon this ranch are raised 
horses, cattle and liogs in large numbers. 
The residence on his ranch is very superior, 
as well as barns and shedding. 

The first to handle drugs was Dr. Hins- 
dale. 

The first harness-maker of the place was 
David Soar, who has the honor of starting 
the first harness- shop in each town and village 
within the county, but one. 

The pioneer blacksmith was a man named 
De Good. 

George Davis opened a restaurant in 1887. 

The first to deal in grain was George Gray. 

A postofiSce was established at Gray, 
which was named in lienor of the proprietor 
of the village, in 1882. The first post- 
master was William Stotts, who was suc- 
ceeded by W. R. Johnson, and he, in 1886, 
by B. Lebeck. J. J. Jones and Seth Gittbrd 
had charge a short time. 

The first scliool on the village plat was 
taught by Miss Libbie Johnson, in 1883. 
The school-bouse, which stood in an adjoin- 
ing county district, was moved into the vil- 
lage in 1887, and an addition built to it, 
making two departments, in 1888. 

The Methodist Episcopal people formed a 
church and erected a neat structure in 1886, 
which cost $1,500. The United Brethren 
also have a society in the neighborhood, and 
hold services every other week in the Meth- 
odist building. The Methodists have no reg- 
ular pastor, but are supplied from another 
charge. 



SOCIKriES. 

An Odd Fellows' Lodge, known as Utopia 
Lodge, No. ^61, of Gray, was instituted April 
20, 1888, with a charter membership of seven 
which at the present date (1889) numbers, 
twenty-eight. 

The first elective officers were as follows: 
J. E. Freetley, N. G.; T. J. Spiker, V. G.; 
O. B. Francisco, Secretary; II. W. Lebeck, 
Treasurer. 

Officers for 1889: J. S. Fisher, N. G.; 
William McMullen, V. G.; C. M. Taylor, 
Secretary; Frank P. Reese, Treasurer. 

The present condition of the lodge is e,\- 
cellent; they have a finely furnished hall and 
are free from debt. 

Hiawatha Lodge, No. 16, I. 0. R. M., 
was formed October 19, 1888, by a charter 
membership of twenty-seven. The first offi- 
cers were: Spark Baker, Sachem; A. L. 
Brooks, Keeper of Records; F. Reese, Keeper 
of Wampum; S. D. Scovil, Prophet; John 
Heuch, Senior Sagamore; C. Woodland, Jun- 
ior Sagamore; O. F. Francisco, First Senti- 
nel; Eli Agnew, Second Sentinel; William 
Johnson, Inside Guard; Charles Wiley, Out- 
side Guard. 

The officers elected to serve in 1889 were: 
O. B. Francisco, Sachem; A. L. Brooks, 
Keeper of Records; John Lancelot, Keeper 
of Wampum; Spark Baker, Prophet; Frank 
Reese, Senior Sagamore; Eli Agnew, Junior 
Sagamore. 

Good Templars' Lodge, No. 4^7, was or- 
ganized at Gray, December 8, 1888, by a 
membership of forty-six. The first to serve 
as officers were: D. O'Lary, C. T. ; Miss 
Alta Crow, V. T.; Mrs. J. J. Kittell, Dep.; 
Mrs. W. J. Audis, S. J. T.; Mrs. C. M. Tay- 
lor, P. C. T.; Mrs. W. J. Lancelott, Chaplain; 
S. T. Thompson, Financial Secretary; Mrs. 
R. J. Reese, Treasurer; T. O'Lary, Record- 
ing Secretary; Miss Clara Atkinson, Assist- 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



G83 



ant Secretary; Saimiel Harris, Marshal; Miss 
Nora O'Lary, Deputy Marshal; May Clark, 
Sentinel; Thomas Watson, G.; R. II. Hamil- 
ton, D. G. 

The present membership of this order is 
fifty-nine. They meet once a week at Odd 
Fellows' Hall. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1888-'89. 

General stores, Lancelott & Reese, II. W. 
ii B. Lebeck & Co., Horace Shelley; hard- 
ware, Audis Brothers; drugs. Dr. A. L. 
Brooks; hotel, "Cottage House," S. T. 
Thompson, proprietor; restaurant, Frank Da- 
vis; blacksmith shop, Hepp & Frese; wagon 
sliop, Hepp tt Frese; harness shop, Ilonsman 
& Scovile; grain dealers, George Gray, 
Charles Stuart & Son; coal dealers, George 
Gray, Green Bay Lumber Company; lumber. 
Green Bay Lumber Company; physicians, 
Dr. A. L. Brooks, Dr. L. A. Bears; livery 
stable, S. T. Thompson; meat market, Ben- 
son & Peterson. 

A newspaper called the Western Blizzard 
was published here about a year by Frank D. 
Allen, who later on consolidated it with the 
Auchihon Advocate. It is generally under- 
stood that S. T. Thompson, proprietor of tlie 
Cottage House, is about to start a local paper 
at Gray. 

ROSS. 

This is a station four miles north of Au- 
dubon, on the Carroll branch of the Ciiicago 
& Northwestern Railroad. It was platted by 
tiie Western Town Lot Company, July 28, 
1882; a station house was not built until in 
1885. A postoffice was established at this 
point in 1883. The following have been 
postmasters: L. D. Thomas and John Wagner. 

Thg iirst to engage in trade was Fox & 
Johnson. At present — 1889 — a general store 
is operated by J. L. Luse. There are no 
other commercial interests, aside from tiio 



grain and coal trade, conducted by George 
Gray, W. H. Negley, Charles Stuart & Son. 

KIMBALLTON. 

Tliis is the last village platted in Audubon 
County; it was recorded June 2, 1888. How- 
ever, it had been platted by its proprietor, 
Hans J. Jorgenson, in 1883. It is located on 
tlie northeast quarter of section 80, town- 
ship 79, range 36, west. 

A postoffice was established in the fall of 
1883, with Hans J. Jorgenson as first post- 
master. He was succeeded in July, 1888, 
by Hans Marquesen. 

The first goods sold at this point were in 
the fall of 1883, by Louis Hansen. 

In January, 1889, the following constituted 
the business interests of Kimballton : 

Murquesen ife Mehard, general store and 
postoffice; A. Bergreen, selling on com- 
mission for Russell & Son; Eveck 6c Gray, 
hardware and farming implements; Carl 
Johnson, blacksmitli; L. C. Thompson, car- 
penter. 

Goods are now usually hauled by teams 
from Audubon fifteen miles to the northeast. 

DEFUNCT VILLAGES. 

Among the defunct villages whicli appear 
on the county plat book is Dayton, whicli was 
the first platted village ot the county. Its 
plat was recorded January 9, 1855. It was 
the location set apart as the county seat by 
the locating committee. Geographically, it 
was situated on the east half of the nortli- 
west quarter of section 22, towiisbij) 78, 
range 35, west. There were never any busi- 
ness houses erected there, and only had a 
name in the plat book and as the jjlace of 
holding county court, etc., when the county 
judge happened to reside there. About ninety 
lots were sold at jn-ices from 50 cents to 
$9.00. No county buildings were ever erected, 
and when the county seat was removed by a 



684 



HISTORY OF AUDUBOH COUNTT> 



vote of the people to Exira, in 1861, Dayton 
ended its history, and its ambition to become 
a place of note fell into forgetfulness! 

Audubon City was the next village platted 
ill the county. It was situated on the south- 
west quarter of section 35, township 78, 
range 35, west. Its plat was filed for record 
September 3, 1856, by Nathaniel Hamlin 
and Thomas Lewis. A few store buildings 
and shops were there erected and its proprie- 
tor hoped to have the county seat finally 
located at that point, but the county nortli and 
west settled rapidly, and when the question 
was canvassed the people did not kindly take 
to the seat of justice being established there, 
hence another would-be county-seat village 
lost its identity and soon was numbered among 
the dead. A corn-field was j)ointed out to 
the writer when he asked, "Where is Au- 
dubon City?" However, its real location may 
be briefly described as being about the center 
of Exira Township. 

Oakfield was the name of a beautifully 
located plat, which was surveyed and recorded 
January 4, 1858, by Erasmus Bradley and 
Alva B. Brown, on sections 19 and 20, of 
what is now the civil township of Exira. 
Like the other early villages, it failed to be- 
come a place of any considerable note, and 
upon the platting and final building of the 
village of Brayton, a short distance to the 
west, and a station on the Audubon & At- 



lantic Railroad, Oakfield soon fell into the list 
of defunct villages. 

Another one of Uncle "Natty" Hamlin's 
town plats was recorded June 4, 1866, and 
was known as Louisville. It was located on 
the northwest quarter of the southwest quar- 
ter of section 16, township 78, range 35, 
west, and in what is now known as Exira 
Township. Here the first mill in the county 
was built, and at one time quite a pioneer vil- 
lage existed at this point. It also had county- 
seat aspirations, but, like so many other 
prospective county capitals, it soon went down 
with the upbuilding of more central locations. 

Hamlin was another county-seat venture 
projected by "Natty" Hamlin, Messrs. Bryan, 
Seevers, Donnell, Maxwell and Thompson, 
known as the " Hamlin Town Company," 
who ottered great inducements to gain the 
county seat, in the way of erecting a court- 
house and other improvements, then so 
much needed by the county. This attempt 
at "locating" a county seat for a time met 
with public favor, as the town proprietors 
ofl"ered liberally and their location was nearly 
in the center of the county, it being platted 
on sections 1 and 2, township 79, range 35, in 
what is known now as Hamlin Township, 
the same being a short distance southeast of 
Audubon, the present seat of justice. But 
the Exira people also made an equally liberal 
offer to the county and it was accepted. 




HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



685 



CHAPTER IX. 



CRIME IN SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES. 




HERE are but few, if any, portions of 



'yimf either tlie civilized or uncivilized world 
phere the hand of crime has not at 
some period in the history of man left its 
crimson stain as an evidence that such loca- 
tion has been the scene of tragedy, aye! of 
deeds that were dark and damnable in their 
ciiaracter, deeds that sliock and horrify 
tlie refined senses of all rational beings who 
have been reared under the influence of 
Christian and civilized homes. For any one 
community to deny that crimes have been 
committed in their midst would be a useless 
piece of folly. Wherever man is found there 
more or less sin abounds, and where sin 
abounds to any great extent there the truthful 
chronicler of events must note the fact that 
crimes have ieen committed; but as to who 
have thus far forgotten the God who created 
them, and as to how men have been thus 
implicated in their dark deeds — this is an- 
other question, and one which for the good 
of all concerned, perhaps, may as well be for- 
ever unanswered. Suffice it to say that our 
own proud and much-boasted-of common- 
wealth — the State of Iowa — has a population 
at least as highly cultivated and refined as 
any one in the Union. She has a grand 
sisterhood of ninety-nine counties where may 
be found more school-houses and church 
buildings to her population than nearly any 
other State, and yet the court records of each 



and all of these, nearly 100 counties,contain an 
account of both criminal and civil proceed- 
ings of which no good law-abiding citizen is 
in the least degree proud. We now come to 
speak more especially of the dark deeds whicli 
unfortunately have happened within Shelby 
and Audubon counties since the time the first 
white man ventured into these parts for the 
purpose of ejecting a settlement. 

Upon entering into a county the local his- 
torian's ears are burdened and his heart sad- 
dened by the recital of foul crimes which 
have been committed from time to time. 
The county records display them, the press 
contains graphic and too frequently one-sided 
accounts of them; pioneers have them by 
heart, and nearly every citizen, whether of 
long or short residence, knows much, if not 
all, their history. The historian is not uu- 
frequently asked the question as to how he 
proposes to treat certain cases found in crime's 
crimson calender. And indeed, to all such it 
may be here stated that it is not the object 
of this Biographical and Historical liecord 
to deal extensively on base crimes, or in any 
other manner to injure the feelings of any 
man or woman within these counties, or any 
of their relatives who may have been in any 
way connected with such crimes. 

It may, however, be stated with propriety 
in tiiis connection, that some crimes have 
been here committed the mere record of 



686 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.'- 



which can in no wise harm any one, whila 
they will be read as matters merely of his- 
tory by those who may come after us, with 
some degree of interest, and serve to show 
the contrast of the days when laws were not 
as much respected as in the day in which we 
now live. 

THE JELLERSON MURDER AND SUBSEQUENT 
LYNCHING. 

The darkest page of crime's history within 
Audubon County up to the present time was 
made in the years ISSl-'SS. As in all such 
cases, the reports given, especially as to 
where the blame should rest the heaviest, 
varies as told by different men and written 
about by various pens. It is not the sphere 
of the recorder of local history to shade and 
cover for the purpose of fastening guilt upon 
or censuring any who may have been unfort- 
unate enough to have taken part in any way 
in a deed so full of darkness. From the best 
possible sources the writer has obtained the 
following facts concerning Audubon County's 
double tragedy: 

It appears that on April 26, 1884, an old 
and inoffensive citizen of the county living 
about four miles southeast from Audubon, 
named Hiram Jellerson, was taken from his 
bed at night by his son and two sons-in-law 
(as was finally proven) and dragged some dis- 
tance to a tree, where in his nakedness he 
was hung. From all that can be learned 
Mr. Jellerson was a crippled up old man who 
was a good citizen, possessing fairly good 
moral and intellectual traits of character, but 
who had been unfortunate in his family con- 
nections, and through them had lost much of 
his hard-earned property. His son, Ciccru 
B., who confessed the terrible crime later on, 
was of a brutish make-up, inheriting, it is 
believed, from his mother, who was of a low 
type and anything but intellectual. 



The sons-in-law were residents of Carroll 
County named Joel J. Wilson and John A. 
Smyth, who, together with the son of a self- 
ish mother, took the life of an aged, well- 
respected man after several weeks of plan- 
ning. After the usual preliminary work the 
three murderers were arrested, the son Cicero 
having allowed their crime to be made known 
to an outraged community, partly through 
his simple-mindedness and partly through 
the total depravity to which he was sunken. 
Hence the three were subsequently indicted 
and placed in jail awaiting their lawful trial. 
The ensuing term of the district court allowed 
the case to be continued. The next term of 
court was held in February, 1885, Judge 
Loofbourow on the bench. The defendants 
filed a motion for a oliange of venue on the 
ground of prejudice among the citizens of the 
county, the said motion being sustained by a 
few attorneys, together with four affidavits 
tiled by men in e.vtreme parts of the county, 
and who were supposed to know but little 
concerning the case or the feelings of the ex- 
cited community who had been too frequently 
annoyed by mismanaged courts and slow 
grinding " mills of justice.'' 

The motion was filed, but not acted upon 
the same day, by Judge Loofbourow, who, 
before court convened the following week 
(for reasons not generally known) exchanged 
benches with Hon. Judge H. C. Henderson, 
of Marshalltown, Iowa, who took charge of 
the court in Audubon on the following Mon- 
day, in place of Judge Loofbourow. These days 
were full of suspense to the anxious citizens, 
who had made up their minds that these mur- 
derers should be tried, or at least punished, 
in their own county — their guilt having been 
established beyond a doubt. To the great 
surprise of the vast throng from all parts of 
the county present. His Honor Judge Hen- 
derson made it known that Judge Loof- 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



687 



bonrow had concluded not to try the case at 
home, but had lieard with favor the prayer of 
the seven men who asked for a change of 
venue to Cass County. 

Anger and outrage seemed depicted on the 
face of the great gathering in attendance, and 
the bitterness of feeling for the time seemed 
to turn from the real criminals to tlie person 
who had absented himself, as they believed, 
from facing his own decision — Judge Loof- 
bourow. By many it is believed that the 
fury of an exasperated crowd, lead on perhaps 
by some lawless character, would have en- 
dangered the life of the judge had he been 
present. 

It is said that not less than 150 men from 
all parts of the couiity were in council as an 
indignation party the evening following 
Judge Henderson's announcement, who it 
was believed had feared some trouble might 
arise, and had ordered the sheriff to have the 
prisoners sent at night-time by a special train 
to Atlantic, the county-seat of Cass County, 
where by order of the court they were to be 
tried. 

This placed all in favor of trying them at 
home, on their guard, and united them by a 
sort of common consent in the conclusion 
that they should not escape their just deserts, 
though violence had to be used as a last re- 
sort. The people knew that they were taking 
chances at the hands of foreign courts, be- 
sides the matter of creating an almost too 
burdensome expense upon Audubon County, 
whose people were in no shape to pay un- 
necessary taxes at that date. 

Certain it is that all nigiit long the town 
was guarded, and no one permitted to ap- 
proach the jail. Excitement ran high every- 
wliere the following day; nothing else was 
tiiought of or talked over among lousiness 
men and farmers. 

At two o'clock in the morning, Tuesday, 



February 4, came the culminating act! Sheriff 
Henry Herbert was awakened from his slum- 
bers by a loud rap at his door within the 
county jail building. He responded by going 
to a window and inquiring what was wanted. 
A voice replied, " Henry, we want to see yon." 
The sheriff again asked what was wanted of 
him. The reply was, "We want the Jeller- 
son murderers." Herbert looked out of the 
window and estimated that there were about 
seventy-five men about the jail yard. He at 
once informed them that the prisoners were 
in his charge as an officer of tiie law, and 
that he would not give up the keys as de- 
manded by them, but would defend and pro- 
tect the prisoners. They then informed him 
that they did not intend to allow the prison- 
ers to go to another county for trial, it having 
been rumored that the sheriff was to remove 
them by night. Herbert told them if they 
would go away, that he would promise them 
upon honor to remove them by day, givino- 
them due notice when it should be done. He 
added that he should neither give up the keys 
nor prisoners. Then a voice replied, "Her- 
bert, every man here is your friend, and we 
know your duty as well as you do; but we 
have come on business, and that business we 
must do quick. We are no mob, but a body 
of determined men who are citizens of your 
county. We came for Jellerson's murderers, 
and we will not quit short of having them 
let it be at whatever cost it may." 

The sheriff and his deputy, Mr. Workman 
then tired several shots over the heads of the 
crowd, to try and alarm the citizens about 
town, but all to no avail. Some one from the 
crowd tired at the jail window, causing the 
officers within to believe that they meant all 
they had said. The sheriff ran down stairs, 
but found they had spiked his key-hole in a 
manner which securely fastened him inside 
of liis sleeping-room, making him powerless 



688 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTi\ 



to defeud the prisoners. The mob (for such 
it had then come to be) soon broke an open- 
ing through the brick walls of the jail, by 
means of sledges, crow-bars, etc., and were 
inside, bolting the other door, thus cutting 
off all possibility of the officers protecting 
the prisoners. 

An account given by one of another set of 
prisoners, aside from those the mob were 
after, gave the following details of the 
tragedy: The prisoners sought were in two 
cells inside an iron cage, and they slept on 
hammocks. At the first alarm Smith re- 
marked, "They are after us!" Wilson re- 
plied, "Yes, it's all up with us now!" One 
of the mob carried a lantern, while others 
were well provided with tools; yet it took 
nearly an hour and a half to gain access to 
the prisoners' inner cells, by the dextrous use 
of cold chisels, hammers, etc. Upon their 
entrance Smith struck one of the nine masked 
men, who were within the jail, with a broom- 
handle, knocking him over by a table; where- 
upon the lyncher drew his revolver and 
shot Smith in the head, instantly killing 
him. 

In the cell were two chairs, and whenever 
a man attempted to enter Wilson would strike 
at him violently, and it was some time before 
they could conquer him. He finally ran 
toward the opening, like a mad beast, with 
chair in hand, but was silenced bj' a bullet 
for an instant, but kept up his uneven fight 
for life until after the third shot had taken 
effect, when he fell to the cell floor. The 
bodies of the two already killed were dragged 
to the opening the mob had made in the 
jail wall, taken out and hung to a fence 
stringer. 

Cicero, the fiendish culprit, was still' within 
his cell, frightened almost to death, but re- 
marked to one of his fellow-criminals, after 
the party left to hang up the prisoners already 



shot, that he did not think they would kill 
him. But alas! he did not seem to measure 
the storm of passion then engendered in the 
hearts of the furious yet seemingly level- 
headed lynchers. The next move was to re- 
move Cicero from the jail, which he did not 
resist. When out they placed a rope around 
his neck, and he was obedient and humble as 
a lamb. Nothing further is known of the 
procedure until the dead body of Cicero was 
found hanging within the band stand, in the 
center of the public square. 

While the mob were ontside with the other 
two prisoners, Cicero, confined in his cell, 
confessed his terrible guilt, together with 
that of Smith and Wilson. He confessed 
with the express understanding between him- 
self and the other convicts of the jail that 
they should not tell on him only in case the 
mob should kill him. Smith and Wilson, 
however, protested their innocence to the 
last. 

The verdict of the coroner's jury was to 
the eflect that the three prisoners came to 
their death "by unknown hands." 

Judge Henderson always claimed that tiie 
exchange of judges was made at his and not 
at Judge Loofbourow's request, but the ma- 
jority of the people always felt that their 
judge shirked a known duty, and dare not 
face his own act in granting a change of 
venue. To say that Audubon County people 
upheld mob law would be false, but it is true 
that they had become tired of mismanaged 
courts of justice. There had been seven 
murders committed during the three years 
prior to this affair, and none had been 
properly dealt with by the courts of justice, 
all of which tended to nettle and make tlie 
people ready to justify, to a certain extent, 
this last lynching act. And since that date 
law and order have prevailed and crime won- 
derfully decreased. 



HI STOUT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



68!) 



"POLK CITY MURDERERS 
LYNCHED. 



CAPTURED AND 



Tliis terrible tragedy may be recorded as 
an Audubon-Shelby County affair, belonging 
as much to one county, perhaps, as another, 
beginning as it did in Audubon and finally 
culminating in the county-seat of Shelby 
County. The following is about as plain and 
brief a statement of the noted case as can here 
be given, owing to the fact that the courts of 
justice never had the chance to hear the evi- 
dence, the culprits botli meeting their fate at 
the hands of " Judge Lynch,^' whose court 
never records its speedy decision, which in 
some instances may have been acts of pru- 
dence and a safeguard to the welfare of com- 
munities where real courts have failed to bring 
the guilty to justice. 

Early in the month of April, 1882, Mayor 
Stubbs, of Polk City, Iowa, was aroused from 
his slumbers by two men who Hashed a dark 
lantern in his eyes; as he sprang from his 
bed a bullet pierced his heart and he fell 
dead. Search was at once made, no pains 
or expense being spared to find the guilty, 
midnight assassins, but for months the hunt 
seemed in vain. About the 15tli of July, 
the same year, Polk City was the scene of 
another cold-blooded murder. The postmaster 
there, named Clinigan, and his deputy, a Mr. 
Hanger, were closing for the nigiit, two men 
accosted them with a pleasant " Good even- 
ing" salute, and in a few seconds the post- 
master was dead with a bullet-hole through 
his neck. Five minutes later armed men were 
in pursuit of the murderers, yet, strange to 
relate, the clue to them was lost. Several trails 
were followed up, one commencing where two 
horses had been stolen a few miles from the 
tragic spot. Detectives were speedily dis- 
patched in all directions, and a day or two 
later a telephone dispatch at the office of 
Charles Stuart & Son, of Audul)on, revealed 



the fact that the horse thieves were just fleeing 
over Stuart's " rancii," eight miles east, and 
were being pursued by eight men. At once 
fhe sheriff and other officers at Audubon sent 
telegrams to all points on both railroads, 
notifying the agents to be on the look-out. 
Subsequent developments revealed the fact 
that they had compelled a farmer in the edge 
of Guthrie County to get them breakfast, and 
then stolen two fresli horses and continued 
their flight west until they reached the farm 
house of Hugh McGiil, in Melville Township, 
Audubon County. It was then five o'clock 
in the morning. The first intimation the 
farmer had was the approach of two men, who, 
with revolvers pointed at him, addressed him 
thus: " We want your team.'" They took 
his fine team and continued their journey 
west. In the meantime the agent of the Rock 
Island road at Audubon had been notified of 
the approach of the men who it was supposed 
were the " Polk City murderers." The news 
spread rapidly and soon a posse of men was 
formed, consisting of W. G. Stuart, John 
Griggs and William Stotts, who started west 
accompanied by City Marshal Spriggs, it 
having been learned that the desperadoes had 
been seen passing a mile north of Audubon. 
Various reports and trails were traced out, 
including one on the " Mormon Trail," where 
the two men had inquired for Walnut Station. 
The next heard of them was a few rods from 
Kimball ton Postoffice, where John Gardner 
and E. Baxter were building a bridge across 
Indian Creek. On approaching the bridge 
they were informed they could not pass, as it 
was yet unsafe, so tiie}' made the Iiorsesjump 
the stream, which aroused suspicion, and the 
bridge builders at once saddled their liorses 
and followed them, but soon lost sight of 
them. 

The next seen of them was at a point seven 
miles north and west of Elkiiorn Grove; but 



090 



niSTORY OP AUDUBON VOUNTr. 



upon being pursued they turned, going toward 
the grove. One of their horses giving out, 
they both mounted the same horse, finally 
landing in the dense thicket about the grove, 
where they hitched their horse and concealed 
themselves, being watched only by Gardner, 
Baxter and two Danes who lived near by. The 
horse whinnied, giving the alarm, and thus 
showing the exact spot where they were con- 
cealed, so the men rode in and captured the 
animal, leading him to the road-side. In a 
short time twenty farmers were present and 
stationed as guards around the grove. At 
11:30 A. M. Isaac Hallock and Mr. Zim- 
merman, from Oakfield, arrived, M'hen, in com- 
pany with John Gardner, they decided to go 
through the grove, but the trip revealed 
nothing new. At about this time squads ar- 
rived from Audubon and Exira, when a line 
was formed, which proceeded to march 
through the grove — the men being about 
twenty feet apart. After penetrating the grove 
300 yards, the murderers were seen by young 
Willis Hallock, who called out "Here 
they are!" whereupon he was instantly shot. 
]S'o other member of the company saw the 
men, and as Hallock claimed their attention 
the villains again escaped fartlier into the 
forest. By dark there were stationed around 
the grove not less than 300 men, fresh re- 
cruits arriving all night long. During the 
niu'lit the murderers attempted to e.-cape 
several times but failed. The guards were 
fed in the morning by farmers and by those 
who had sent provisions from surrounding 
towns. Again a line was formed and marched 
through the grove to no purpose; it was sup- 
posed they had made their escape during the 
night in some way, but better judgment pre- 
vailed and the third inarch was ]jrojected by 
cool-headed officers, who determined to go 
over every yard of land within the forest. 
The march was ordered, and when half way 



through the assassins were seen and one of 
them at once tired a revolver at John Maddy, 
of Marne, the bail taking effect in his side. 
Then the men broke for the prairie — running 
a race for life, in which they failed! After 
going over a wheat field, about forty yards, 
the leader was shot down by Levi Montgom- 
ery, of Exira, when the others took for the 
timber again. The man shot lived about thirty 
minutes, during which time he was questioned 
about the Stiibbs murder, but he refused to 
talk. He finally confessed to shooting Clini- 
gan, also the two men in the grove. By this 
time there were present fully 2,000 people. 

As to the proceedings after the capture, no 
better account can be given than that pub- 
lished at the time in the State Register: 

"The sheriff of Polk County desired to 
take charge of Hardy, the living culprit, but 
the crowd were not ready to release him. He 
was marched to the public road, eighty rods 
distant, where they halted, when the cry 
went up from all sides — '■Rang him,!'' 
^ Hang him!'' But the sheriff and cool 
heads succeeded in gaining a calm, when it 
was learned the prisoner had not eaten for 
many hours, so he was fed. 

"The greatest crime to which he would 
confess was that of stealing horses. He 
claimed his name was William Smith, a 
native of Denison, Texas, aged twenty-two 
years. He claimed only to have been in Ijad 
company, but said he never killed a man. 
Said his mother died when he was ten years 
old, and that he believed in a Supreme Being. 
He liegged for mercy, and yet seemed per- 
fectly cool in all his actions. Finally the cry 
for '■Rope!'' became again loud, and against 
the oflicer's will a rope was placed about his 
neck, and with strong hands to firmly hold 
him he was tied. Turning south the crowd 
ran with violent yells, which frightened the 
horses, upsetting several buggies. The pris- 



HISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



U91 



oner was then led witli a rope nearl}' a mile 
to the bridge crossing Indian Creek. Hardy 
was taken to the center of the rude stiucture 
and told he must soon die, which statement 
did not seem to ruffle him in the least. He 
asked for pencil and paper with which to 
write to his mother, wishing some one pres- 
ent to convey it, along with his $14 in money, 
to her. Dick Griggs, of Exira, was selected. 
The liack of a scale-book leaf was given him, 
upon which he wrote the following: 

" ' To 3frs. Ellen Crist, Butler, Bates 
County, Missouri: 

'"Dear Mothek: — As I am now on the 
gallows, speaking the last time to you, I will 
speak in sorrowful, although in firm tones. 
I am sorry to have come to such an end; I 
know it will nearly kill you, but it is my 
fault, not yours. Mr. Griggs will see that 1 
am decently buried, and give you the details 
of the case. I will send you what money I 
have and a lock of my hair, that will, I hope, 
have some bearing on the future life of the 
buys. Your loving son, 

" ' Wm. IIakdy.' 

" Prominent men then spoke to the crowd, 
pleading with them not to defeat justice, and 
keep their hands clean of human blood! E. 
J. Freeman, M. Nichols, J. D. ITolmes, Es- 
quire Darnell, the Sheriff of Shelby County, 
and others spoke. Then the prisoner spoke 
at length of his innocence, after which citi- 
zens again spoke, trying to cool the blood- 
craving spirit already rife. At last it was 
concluded to vote on the question of hanging, 
which seemed to be in favor of lettinif law 
prevail. During the trying ordeal Hardy 
stood with rope around his neck, yet not a 
quiver era change was seen upon his face. 

"The Sheriff of Shelby (bounty succeeded 
in pinioning his arms and getting him in a 

44 



buggy, in which he soon drove away to the 
jail at Harlan. The crowd, nearly worn-out 
by over-ta.\ed nerves and loss of sleep, soon 
went their several ways." 



HAEUY LYNCHED. 



Hardy was confined in the jail at Harlan 
July 14, and on the night of the 24th of the 
same month, at about two o'clock, a. m., the 
city fire bell rang an alarm to awaken the 
citizens, who speedily as possible, after find- 
ing the trouble, went to the county jail, 
which had been quietly surrounded by about 
fifty masked men, who frightened the keys 
from the jailor's wife; they then securely 
tied the jailor, and at once proceeded to take 
Hardy from his cell, which they quickly ac- 
complished, and hastened him along through 
the town to the bridge; just south of the 
town, crossing the Nishnabotna River at a 
point near J. W. Chatburn's flouring mill, 
where, from all that could be traced by the 
officers who looked the ground over afterward, 
it seems they hung and shot the outlaw, and 
afterward threw his body into the river. 
The oTily conversation heard by those not 
directly interested was that heard by Judge 
Chatburn, who, upon hearing the noise, step- 
ped to his doorway, when he heard some one 
say, " Please donH shoot me, boi/sf" Again 
a voice said, " Pull him up from the water! " 
and immediately there were not less than 
100 shots fired, a dozen or more of which 
took deadly eft'ect in the body of Hardy. 

Hundreds of people began to crowd around 
the scene by this time, but at nigiit no one 
se-med to lead, and those who constituted 
the mob of lynchers made good their escape, 
some going in one direction and some in 
another. 

A search was at once made. J. H. Weeks, 
member of the Harlan tire department, 
volunteered to go into the river in search of 



692 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY^ 



the body, wlucli in less than ten minutes was 
found and brought to the shore. 

Upon examination it seemed quite certain 
that he had at first been hung, and then shot 
at by the mob, as they passed along by the 
man in rapid succession. Some of the dozen 
or more balls had penetrated his heart; the 
size of the bullets was thirty- two calibre. 
The teeth of tiie corpse were firmly set, show- 
ing that Hardy had died as he lived — a man 
of iron nerve. His hands had been tied be- 
hind him with a piece of check-rower cord, 
the sume as was used in binding the jailor. 

" CKOOKED CKEEK OUTLAWS." 

This was the name given to a band of law- 
less citizens, who from the close of the IJc- 
bellion up to about 1885 iTihabited the soutii- 
eastern portion of AiuIuIhui County, as well 
as the northern tier of townsliips in Cass 
County. Many of the deperadoes had set- 
tled along Crooked Creek, from which they 
took their name. For many years this band 
of murderous, thieving people was the terror 
of both counties. They included men who 
had run away from the Confederate States — 
were rebels of the darkest dye — and soon 
gathered to themselves such other outlaws as 
had already settled in this section of Iowa. 
They stole valuable stock, including horses, 
and they also gave quarters for hard charac- 
ters who chanced to go through their settle- 
ment. Law-abiding people were for many 
years harrassed to that extent tliat they dare 
not go before a grand jury and testify against 
them. In one night one farmer had fifty fat 
liogs stolen and driven from his barn-yard; 
and for fear of having his house and barns 
burned he never prosecuted, or even sought 
to trace out tlie tliieves, whoui he had every 
reason to believe were his nearest neighbors. 

From time to time these men have Ijeen 
.shot, sent to State's prison, or hung by lynch 



law here or in adjoining counties, until the 
"nest "has finally been pretty well broken 
up. While every new country has more or 
less trouble with this desperate sort of cliar- 
acters, it would seem that southern Audubon 
and northern Cass counties had more than 
their full share. 

It is for this and the other fact that courts 
of justice have necessarily had more or less 
of these outlaws upon their trial and grand 
juries, that it was impossiV)le for peaceable 
citizens to have justice meted out at the 
hands of courts, and in self-protection they 
got into the habit of taking the law into their 
own hands, and perhaps used the services of 
"Judge Lynch" more than they would have 
done otherwise. 

JILRDKR OF C. n. KLEVA. 

One of tiic most dastardly and cold-blooded 
murders committed in Audubon County oc- 
curred on the night of December 24, 1884, 
on section 17, of Oakfield Township. From 
the best reports now on file it seems that a 
man twenty-two years old, named Peter 
Ryan, had been to Bray ton the afternoon 
prior to the murder, and liad there imbibed 
too freely of that which so frequently 
kills — whisky. Upon returning his team 
had ran away, and he called at the 
farm-house of one of Audubon County's 
most highly respected citizens, C. II. Kleva, 
at about ten o'clock at night and wanted to 
warm his hands, having lost his mittens, he 
said. In a moment or two he went out of 
the door, remained a short time, and returned, 
sayinghe went to see if the man was outtliere 
holding his team yet. The farmer questioned 
whether there was any one there, or any 
team, and told Ryan he did not think he had 
a team there; whereupon Kyan pulled a re- 
volver and fired two shots, one taking effect 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



693 



in Kleva's mouth and the other in his chest, 
causing almost instant deatli to a perfectly 
harmless, innocent man. 

Marshals Walkup, of Audubon, and Camp- 
bell, of Exira, soon arrested Eyan, who of- 
fered but slight resistance. A preliminary 
trial was held before Ma3'or A. B. Houston, 
of Exira, which resulted in binding him over 
to the next term of district court. The feel- 
ing upon the day of the coroner's inquest was 
so great that it was feared he would be 
hanged by the enraged neighbors. But bet- 
ter judgment prevailed, and he was confined 
in the jail at Audubon to await his trial, 
which was postponed until September the 
following year — 1885 — when he was tried 
by some of the best attorneys in the State, 



but convicted, and finally sentenced to the 
State's prison at Fort Madison for a term of 
twenty years, at hard labor, by Judge Loof- 
bourow. 

At the same term of court parties belong- 
ing to the noted " Crooked Creek " gang, 
named Huntley and Heath, were sentenced 
each twenty months for stealing cattle. Since 
justice has been meted out in a proper man- 
ner by the courts of the county, but little 
crime has been committed, and it is without 
doubt that no lynching ever occurred in Au- 
dubon County where the parties were not 
guilty and richly deserving of such punish- 
ment. Innocent men have never been hung 
in this county, but many an innocent one 
brutally murdered. 





BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 





(UARLES VAN GORDER, banker, Au- 
dubon, Iowa, is a native of New Yoriv, 
born in Delaware County on a farm, 
on tlie baiilis of the Delaware River, Jan- 
uary 23, 1837. He is the fifth in a family 
of eleven children, eight of whom survive. 
His father, Simon Van Gorder, is still living, 
and is in his ninetieth year; he is a native of 
New York, born on the Delaware River, and 
is a farmer by occupation; his father was 
Lawrence Van Gorder, and his grandfather 
was John Van Gorder, of Hollandish descent. 
The motlier of our subject was Miss Jane 
Fisli, a native of Delaware County, New 
York, and a daughter of Isaac Fish; she was 
born in 1808, and died in 1882. She was 
a person of unusual merit. Charles Van 
Gorder passed his youth in his native State 
working on the farm; he received a common- 
school education. In 1850 he drifted west- 
ward to Illinois, stopping in Henry County, 
and afterward in Bates County, Missouri, 
where he remained three years. In the spring 
of 1860 he came to Audubon County, Iowa, 
and soon alterward fitted up a fine freigiiting 
team to Denver, Colorado, and at llie same 
time engaged in the inaniifactnre of brick; 



he continued the freighting and brick-making 
until 1862, wiien he entered the Union army, 
in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, Company 
B; he was sent to the front, and took part in 
several battles, among them Resaca and Ai- 
toona, in the last of which he was wounded, 
being shot in the left foot; he was disabled 
for six months. Recovering from this wound, 
he was ordered to report at Washington, D. 
C., where his discharge papers were made 
out, and sent to Clinton, Iowa, where he re- 
ceived his pay, and final discharge. He tilled 
every station from that of a private soldier 
to Captain. He then returned to Audubon, 
and accepted a position as clerk in a store, 
where he remained until 1869, when he was 
elected county treasurer of Audubon. He 
was re-elected in 1871, serving four years. 
After retiring from office he engaged in the 
real-estate business, which he continued until 
1876, when he formed a co-partnership with 
F. H. Whitney, and organized the Audubon 
County Bank; this partnersiiip continued 
until 1883, when Mr. Van Gorder bought 
out Mr. Whitney's interest in the bank; since 
that time he has operated the business alone. 
He owns several good farm.s wliicli he rents. 



69G 



n I STORY OP AUDLBON COUNTY. * 



In 18G9 Mr. Van Gorder was married to 
Miss Laura J. Delalioyde, of Oakfield, Iowa; 
slie is a daugliter of Thomas Delalioyde, who 
died when she was ij^uite young; she was born 
in Ireland, and came to this country when one 
year old. Mr. and Mrs. Yan Gorder are the 
parents of three children — Edwin S., Sidney 
L. and Lowene. Mr. Van Gorder has served as 
member of the city council and of the school 
board. He began life without any means, 
and has by tireless energy and excellent man- 
agement attained an enviable position in the 
county. 



.4„j,|^ 



5SAAC P. HALLOCK,Jk., a leading 
farmer of Audubon County, Iowa, was born 
, in Kendall County, Illinois, March 21, 
1840. He is the youngest son of Isaac P. 
and Abigail H. (Smith) Ilallock, who were 
among the iirst settlers of Oakiield, Audubon 
County. Isaac P. Ilallock, Sr., was born in 
Clinton County, New York, in 1802; his 
father was Israel Peter Ilallock, of Scotch and 
French extraction. Abigail II. Ilallock was 
born in the State of Massachusetts, in the year 
1800, and died in the year 1885; she was the 
mother of eight children, six of whom lived 
to maturity — Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Diss- 
more; Julia A., wife of E. D. Bradley; Ilich- 
ard S., John A.; Sarah M., wife of J. H. 
Basham, and Isaac Peter, the subject of tliis 
sketch. He was fourteen years of age when 
his parents removed to Earlville, Illinois, in 
which place tiiey lived two years. In the fall 
of 1856 they came to Audubon County, Iowa, 
and settled on a tract of land which is now the 
old town siteof Oakfield, as platted by liichard 
S. Ilallock and E. D. Bradley in 1857. Isaac 
P. Hallock, Sr., erected the first house in tlic 
village; soon after coming to the county ho 
was elected judge for one term; he was then 



elected justice of the peace, a position he held 
for several terms. He was appointed post- 
master of Oakfield, and held the otfice for 
many years. Mr. Ilallock is still living, in 
his eighty-seventh year. Isaac P. Hallock, 
Jr., received only the advantages of a common- 
school education. The school-house at Oak- 
field was a cabin of rude construction, which 
was afterward replaced by a frame building. 
At the age of nineteen years he assumed the 
care and responsibility of his father's farm, as 
his father was at that time afflicted with 
asthma. He was very successful in the man- 
agement of the place, and at the same time 
made some profitable trades in live-stock, lie 
then embarked in the mercantile business at 
Oakfield, beinof associated with I. H. Jenkins 
and D. W. Powers; this firm continued to 
transact business successfully for five years, 
and at the expiration of that time Mr. Hal- 
lock purchased the interest of both his part- 
ners and carried on the business alone. After 
a prosperous career of several years Mr. 
Ilallock sold his stock to T. E. Cotton, now 
deceased. He then bought a stock of goods 
owned by his brother, J. A. Hallock, at Exira, 
and managed that store forses'eral years. At one 
timehe also owned a stock of hard ware and farm 
implements at Brayton, Iowa. In the early 
spring of 1881 Mr. Hallock opened a hard- 
ware store in Carson, Pottawattamie County, 
Iowa, having as a partner L. L. Archer; they 
afterward sold out and invested the proceeds 
of the sale in Salt Lake City real estate. Mr. 
Ilallock is now largely engaged in feeding 
sheep for Chicago markets; he also feeds large 
numbers of cattle and hogs. Of later years 
he has given especial attention to the breeding 
of heavj' draft horses. His landed estate now 
covers 2,400 acres, and with the direction of 
this and the can^ of the stock his time is fully 
taken up. Mr. Hallock was married in his 
twenty-eighth year to Malinda A. Norton, of 



DIOGRAPinCAL SKETCHES. 



697 



Oakfield, daughter ofAVilliam C. Norton, who 
came to Oakfield in 1856. Tliey have liad 
born to them seven children, four of whom 
are living — Abbie 11., Keese C, Alice and 
Isaac Percy; three died in infancy. Mr. II al- 
lock has bueii iilentified with ahuost every 
enterprii^e tliat had for its object the advance- 
ment and growth of the town and progress of 
the c'l II Ml unity. He was one of the origina- 
tors, diricturs and stockholders of the Atlantic 
National IJaiik at Atlantic, Iowa, and held his 
connection witii that institiitidU fur many 
years. At one time he was owner of the 
Oakfield flouring-mills. He is a staunch 
member of the Republican party; has held 
the offices of townsliip clerk, trustee, and been 
a member of the board of supervisors of Au- 
dubon County, Iowa, and township assessor 
at one time. 



fOIlN F. CONSLGNY, one of Audubon's 
successful grocery men, came to the town 
in its infancy and established himself in 
business, in which he has been actively en- 
gaged ever since. He is a native of Canada, 
and was born April 2, 1848, in St. Cesaire, 
Province of Quebec, remaining there until 
nearly grown; here he received a good com- 
mon-school education, and later was sent to 
the Brothers' College. His father was Dr. A. 
P. Consigny, a highly esteemed citizen and a 
successful physician, who for many years con- 
ducted a large -and lucrative practice. Pre- 
vious to the division of Canada into counties. 
Dr. Consigny was, until iiis death, inspector 
of schools and colleges in Lower Canada. His 
death occurred in April, 1857. Ilis wife, who 
was Miss Lucy L. Goodrich, a daughter of 
Captain Ezekiel Goodrich, still survives him, 
and resides in Avoca, Iowa; lier father was a 
Captain in the Revolutionary war. John F. 



Consigny, on reaching his sixteenth year, 
went to the State of Vermont, and accepted a 
clerkship in a store containing a general stock 
of merchandise; he served in this capacity 
until 1863, when he enlisted in the First Ver- 
mont Cavalry, and was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac. While his company (M) 
was doing duty as mounted provost and body 
guard at Second Corps headqnartir.s near 
Hatcher's Run, Virginia, in October, 1864:, he 
was wounded in the foot, and alsn received a 
wound on the side of the head on April 2, 
1865, from the effects of which he has lost the 
hearing of one ear. He served his country 
faithfully for two years, and was discharged 
at Burlington, Vermont, in Jnne, 1865. He 
then resumed the occupation of clerkship and 
bookkeeper. In February, 1866, lie came to 
Dubuque, Iowa, and afterward made an ex- 
tended tour of several States, going as far 
south as Texas; he drifted back to Avoca, 
Iowa, and remained there for a period of two 
years, and thence came to Audubon and em- 
barked in the grocery business, as before 
stated. FroiQ his long experience, and honest 
and fair dealing he is widely and favorably 
known to the trading public. Besides his 
grocery stock Mr. Consigny carries a full line 
of queen's-ware and glass-ware, etc. Mr. Con- 
signy was united in marriage in February, 
1879, to Miss Alice Ileflin, of Avoca, Iowa; 
she is a daughter of Marshall and Nancy (Rusk) 
Ileflin, who are now residents of Avoca; she 
was born in Knox County, Illinois. Mr. and 
Mrs. Consigny have had born to them four 
children — Clarence P., Maliel A., J. Edward 
and James G. Mr. Consigny is a member 
of the city council, having served over three 
years. He is a member of Veritas Lodge, 
No. 392, A. F. & A. M.; of the I. O. R. M.; 
of the Knights of Fythias, No. 163; Uni- 
form Rank of the Aretas Fiodge, No. 396; 
Encampment of 1. O. O. F., ami of Allison 



COS 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNtT. 



Post, No. 34, G. A. R., having been five times 
delegate to the State Encampment and dele- 
gate to the National Encampment at Port- 
land, Maine, and San Francisco, California. 
Mr. Consigny is of French extraction on his 
father's side, and of English and Welsh on 
the mother's side. 



^TIIELBEET J. FREEMAN, of the 
%. firm of Freeman & Armstrong, bankers, 
real estate and loans, Audubon, Iowa, 
is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette 
County, September 22, 1840. The father is 
Mordecai Freeman, a farmer and miller by 
occupation, a native of Pennsylvania, now 
residing at West Liberty, Pennsylvania. The 
mother is Mary Freeman; she had two sons, 
of whom our subject is the eldest. The 
brother, Leroy Walter, was killed in the 
late war in November, 1864, at the battle of 
South Side Railroad, near Petersburg, Vir- 
ginia. E. J. Freeman, the subject of this 
notice, was educated in the common schools 
of his native county. In 1857 he went to 
McDonough County, Illinois, and followed 
farming and carpentry'. In 1864, May 24, 
he enlisted in the Sixteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, Company A; he was assigned 
to the department of the Army of the Cum- 
berland ; he took part in the battles of Plue 
Mills, Missouri; Island No. 10, and its capt- 
ure; Tiptonville, Tennessee ; Farmington, 
Mississippi; Stone River, Tennessee, and 
other smallerengagements; lie belonged to the 
Second Division, Second Brigade, and the 
Fourteenth Army Corps. He was honorably 
discharged February 5, 1863, on account of 
disability. lie then returned to McDonougii 
County, Illinois, and engaged in farming. 
In the fall of 1867 he came to Audubon 
County, and settled on 160 acres, which he 



had purchased. In 1878 he was appointed 
agent for the town of Audubon, and for rail- 
road lands belonging to the Rock Island A: 
Pacific Railroad, a position which he still 
holds. In 1880 Mr. Freeman was elected 
treasurer of Audubon County, and was re- 
elected in 1882, serving four years in all. In 
1883 he formed a co-partnership with A. F. 
Armstrong, and continued dealing in real 
estate and loans; in 1885 the Citizens' Bank 
was established and Mr. Freeman was made 
cashier, and still holds this position. Sep- 
tember 13, 1862, Mr. Freeman was married 
to Miss Nancy Leightj', of McDonough 
County, Illinois, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of Daniel Leighty, now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs Freeman have eight children — 
Daniel, Eva, Edmond, William, Drew, Eth- 
elbert, John, and a babe unnamed. Mr. 
Freeman was elected the first mayor of Au- 
dubon, receiving every vote that was cast. 
He has been chief of the fire department 
since the starting of the town, and now he 
has been chosen to operate the water-works. 
He has been a member of the school board 
since his first residence in the county. He 
is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. 
F. & A. M.; Amity Chapter, No. 92, R. A. 
M.; Godfrey Commandery, No. 44, K. T. Mr. 
Freeman has a tine residence and comfortable 
surroundings. He is also a member of the 
Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R. 

g . 3 . . ; . ;. ..■■ 



,0N. RUSSELL A. STEERE was born 
in Jefl'erson County, Ohio, March 27, 
1821. His father, David Stecre, was a 
miller by trade, and was born in Virginia, of 
French parentage, in August, 1786. His 
father was Joseph Steere. The Steere family 
settled in South Carolina in 1700; six gen- 
erations have i)een born in America, the first 



BIOORAPUICAL SKBTGIIBS. 



699 



settlers having been French Huguenots. The 
mother of Russell A. Steere was Phoebe Mil- 
hous, who was born in the city of Phila- 
delphia, where she grew to womanhood. Her 
father was William Milhous, a native of 
Pennsylvania, of German descent. Russell 
A. Steere passed his early boyhood in Ohio, 
and in 1833 went ont to Michigar., remain- 
ing there until he was eighteen years of age; 
he then entered Mount Pleasant College, a 
Quaker institution in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
and was graduated in 1841. He then began 
his career as a teacher, and taught in Mich- 
igan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. In 
1844 he went to Cincinnati, and was there 
employed in an importing dry-goods estab- 
lishment until 1847 when he enlisted in the 
Mexican war, entering Company P, Second 
Ohio, Charles Broughf actino; as Colonel of 
the Regiment; he was sent to Matamoras, and 
then to Vera Cruz, where many of the 
soldiers took the yellow fever; all of the 
officers and many soldiers died. Mr. Steere 
was sent to New Orleans, and was there 
placed in the hospital under the care of the 
Sisters of Charity. After being mustered out 
of the service he returned to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and resumed his place in the wholesale 
house, remaining there until 1853, when he 
went to Minnesota, and settled in Fillmore 
County. In 1864, when there was a call for 
more men to defend the flag of this nation, 
Mr. Steere again shouldered his musket, antl 
enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota 
Volunteer Infantry; he was sent south, and 
joined Sherman's army at Savannah, and took 
part in the pursuit of General Johnston, who 
surrendered at Raleigh. He was then ordered 
to Washington, D. C, took part in tiie grand 
review, was mustered out July 11, 1865; was 
paid at Fort Sneliiiig, and received his final 
discharge July 20, 1865. Mr. Steere was 
married in Deceinher, 1855, to Miss Alice 



King, a daiigliter of John E. King, a native 
of England. She was born in Illinois. Eiglit 
children were born of this marriage — Ed- 
mund IL, Ernest K., Samuel II. (deceased), 
Francis V. (deceased), Lincoln, Elinor, Alice 
M. and David. Alter returning from the 
war, Mr. Steere began farming near Spring 
Valley, Minnesota, and remained there until 
1867, when he removed with his family to 
Michigan and bought a farm in Branch 
County, and lived upon it until 1872; he then 
went back to Minnesota, attended to some 
business, and in October, 1873, he removed 
his family to Audubon County, residing the 
first two years at Oakfield. In 1875 he 
moved to his present farm, whicii contains 
160 acres; since his residence there Mr. 
Steere has devoted all of his time to directing 
and improving his farm; he gives special 
attention to raising live-stock. While living 
in Minnesota, Mr. Steere was elected a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, and was appointed to 
the offices of county commissioner and county 
clerk. He also filled several township offices, 
acquitting himself in all these positions witli 
much credit. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic order, and of the I. O. O. F. He is a 
member of the Union League, and is a staunch 
temperence man. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican; he was born and raised a Wliig. He 
voted for General Harrison in 1840, ant! for 
Benjamin Harrison in 1888. He is a mem- 
l)er of the G. A. R. 

Ill . n? * ! ! < t * V * * " 



IHARLES HOWARD VAIL is a de- 

HJK. scendant of the sixth generation of John 
•grl and Eiizal)ct]i Vail, who came from Kng- 
land and landed at South-hold, Long Island, 
in 1650, to enjoy freedom to worship God; 
they were members of the Society of Friends. 
They liad three children tlohn, Samuel and 



700 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. » 



Martha. The eldest, John, was a useful min- 
ister ainuiig the Friends of that remote period, 
and his descendants became distinguished in 
political life and scientific attninments. The 
second son, Samuel, was born Octoljer 21) 
1G78, and was twice married. He purchased 
a large plantation on Green Brook, near the 
place that is now covered by Plainiield, New 
Jersey; this property has been in the posses- 
sion of members of the family ever since — 164 
years. Samuel Vail died April 26, 1733. 
(A copy of his will is now in the possession 
of C. U. Vail.) His eldest son, John, and a 
brother occupied the Green Brook farm. In 
1780 John married Margaret Shotwell Laing, 
and they were the parents of eight sons who 
were all married and who had large families, 
whose descendants are numerous and widely 
scattered. The eldest son, John Vail, Jr., 
and o-reat-grandfather of C. II. Vail, married 
Catherine Fitz-Kandolph, a descendant of a 
large and influential family of P'riends, who 
came from England to America in 1630, set- 
tling in Massachusetts. John, Jr , and Cath- 
erine had seven children — Margaret, Edward, 
Amos, Isaac, Phoebe, Nathan and Joel. Dur- 
ing the contest for American Independence, 
when the British forces held possession of 
Perth-Amboy and the adjacent country. Gen- 
eral Washington and staff called at the farm 
residence of John Vail, and asked to be guided 
to some prominent spot on the mountain, from 
which a good view of the plain below could 
be obtained ; this request was granted, and the 
spot to which he was conducted still bears the 
name of Washington's Rock. Edward Vail, 
the second child of John, Jr., and Catherine 
Vail, grandfather of our subject, was Ixirn 
Marcli 27, 176-1, at Green Brook, New Jersey. 
When a young man his father gave him one 
of the Green Brook farms, and there lie l)ni]t 
a commodious residence. On the 20th of 
December, 1793, he was married to Sarah 



Kinsey, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, who was 
born June 8, 1770, and wliose family have 
always held an enviable position in the best 
society — socially, politically and religiously. 
They came originally from Scotland. Edward 
and Sarah Vail had nine children, six of whom 
lived to be over seventy years of age. Their 
seventh son, Abel Vail, father of C. H. Vail, 
was born February 12, 1807, at Green Brook, 
New Jersey, and was married November 2, 
1831, to Arietta Bristol, of Dutchess County, 
New York. She was born March 1, 1809. 
Abel Vail was a hatter for many 3"ears, but 
afterward went upon the old homestead and 
was a farmer the remainder of his days. He 
and his wife were the parents of four children, 
of whom C. H. Vail is the youngest. In 1853 
Abel Vail moved to Indiana, settling near La 
Porte; he died while on a visit to New York, 
August 15, 1885. In the history of the So- 
ciety of Friends in New Jersey, it is said that 
there is no family name more honorably or 
continuously associated with the welfare of 
the society than that of the Vails. From the 
earliest records of the meetings it is learned 
that a conspicuous and important part was 
always taken by some of the family from the 
very beginning of the society. In 1687 men- 
tion is made of John Vail, as an active mem- 
ber of the first meeting at Amboy, and as one 
of the founders of the meeting at that place. 
Among the numerous names of ancestral 
fame and honor, that of Vail was pronounced 
the leading one in the number bearing it. 
Charles Howard Vail was born February 26, 
1851, near Plainfield, New Jersey. When 
two years of age his parents removed to Indi- 
ana, in which State he grew to manhood; he 
was edncjited in the district school, and spent 
his summers working on the farm. In 1875 
he came to Audubon County, Iowa, and set- 
tled at Oakfield; he soon after became clerk 
in a general store, a position he held until 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCUES. 



701 



187B, wlien he took charge of a branch store 
for R. Keininling, at the old town of Ilamliii. 
In the fall of 1879 he formed a copartnership 
with John T. Jenkins at Braytoii, Iowa, in 
the dry-goods and general merchandise busi- 
ness, under the firm name of Jenkins & Vail; 
this business relation continued until 1886, 
when Mr. Vail was elected clerk of the dis- 
trict court. He assumed the duties of that 
office January 1, 1887, and in the fall of 1888 
he was re-elected for the two years following, 
having filled the office to the entire satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. Mr. Vail was mar- 
ried March 31, 1880, to Mrs. Martha C. 
Reynolds, of Oaktield, Audubon County. 
Mrs. Vail was born in New York. They liave 
two children — Arthur H., born in Brayton, 
Iowa, June 2, 1881, and Arietta, born in 
Brayton, Iowa, August 10, 1883. Mrs. Vail 
had one daughter by her former marriage — • 
Rose G., wife of Joseph S. Grosvenor. 



" "I ' S"? ' 



^ENRY FRANKLIN ANDREWS, of 

Audubon, was born in Lovell, Oxford 
County, Maine, June 27, 1844. He is 
the eldest child of Jacob and Martha Phin- 
ney (Hamblen) Andrews. His brothers and 
sisters are — Dr. Charles Hamblen Andrews, 
of Exira, born June 21, 1847; Isaac Stearns 
Andrews, a farmer, residing three miles north- 
east of Atlantic, Iowa, born April 25, 1849, 
and Sarah Kimball Andrews, born September 
25, 1857, who married William Tingle, of 
Cass County, Iowa, and removed to Bassett, 
Nebraska, where she died September 26, 
1887. Mr. Andrews is descended in nearly 
every branch of his family from the earliest 
New England settlers. In the paternal line 
his first ancestor in America was Robert An- 
drews, who came from England with his 
wife, Elizabetli, and resided at Ipswich, 



Massachusetts, as early as 1635. This was 
the home of this branch of the family down 
to the time of the Revolutionary war, 
through si,x generations, including Robert 
Andrews, viz.: John Andrews, and Sarah, 
his wife; John Andrews, and Judith, his 
wife; William Andrews, and Margaret Wood- 
ward, his wife; Solomon Andrews, and Eliza- 
beth Ingalls, his wife, married October 27, 
1726, and Captain Abraham Andrews, born 
September 6, 1747, married Esther Stearns, 
October 19, 1773, wlio was descended from 
Isaac and Mary Stearns, who came from 
England and settled at Watertovvn, Massa- 
chusetts, in 1632; their so!), John Stearns, 
and his wife, Sarah Mixer, settled at Biller- 
ica, Massachusetts; their eon. Captain John 
Stearns, and his wife, Joanna (Call) Parker, 
of the same place, and their son, John Stearns, 
and his wife, Esther Johnson, and their son, 
Hon. Isaac Stearns, and wife, Sarah Abbott, 
of the same place, who were the parents of 
Esther Stearns. Isaac Stearns, as well as 
many other members of the Stearns family, 
was a soldier in the French and Indian wars. 
Captain Andrews was at the battle of Lex- 
ington, and served all through the war of the 
Revolution. He was a Captain in the Second 
Regiment of Massachusetts Foot (Infantry), 
in 1788. With his brother-in-law, Benjamin 
Stearns, and wife's uncle, John Stearns, he 
removed to Lovell, Mainf, and made the 
first white settlement in the town. His son, 
Isaac Stearns, was born here, August 13, 
1788. He married Sally Kimball, Octoi)er 
15, 1815. Their son, Jacob Andrews, father 
of II. F. Andrews, was born at Lovell, Maine, 
February 24, 1820. In the maternal line 
Mr. Andrews' first ancestor in America was 
James Ilaniblen and Anne, his wife, wiio 
canu! from London, England, and settled at 
Harnstablo, Massachusetts, about l()3!t, wliere 
four generations of the family were born — 



702 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. » 



their son, John Hamblen, born June 26, 1644, 
married Sarah Eearce; their son, Ebenezer 
Hamblen, born May 12, 1683, married his 
cousin, Thankful Hamblen, May 11, 1710; 
their son, Gershon Hamblen, born Jnly 19, 
1718, married Hannah Almony, August 9, 
1739. He was a soldier in the French war, 
under General Wolf at Quebec, in 1759, and 
died at Barnstable some time prior to 1763. 
Their son, Gershom Hamblen, was born Sep- 
tember 16, 1745. In the year 1763 the 
widow of the elder Gershom Hamblen, with 
her children, including the son Gershom, re- 
moved to Gorham, Maine, and settled tlere 
upon land granted them by the Legislature 
of Massaciiusetts, ibr military services ren- 
dered by their relatives in King Philip's war 
of 1675. Two sons of James and Anne 
Hamblen, Bartholomew and Eleazer, are 
known to have been members of Captain 
John Gorham's company, of Barnstable, and 
served in that war. Gershom Hamblen, the 
younger, married Deborah Jenkins at Gor- 
ham, December 17, 1774. Their soii, Ichabod 
Hamblen, was born at Gorham, April 11, 
1791. He married Lydia Webb Fickett at 
Portland, Maine, October 11, 1815. He was 
a soldier in the war of 1812. Their daugh- 
ter, Martha Phinney Hamblen, mother of 
Mr. Andrews, was born at Limington, Maine, 
December 25, 1818. Ex-Vice-President Han- 
nibal Hamlin, of JJangor, Maine, is a lineal 
descendant of James and Anne Hamblen, 
al)ove mentioned. Of the family of Stearns, 
above mentioned, Hon. Onslow Stearns was 
Governor of New Hampshire, and Hon. Mar- 
cellus L. Stearns was Governor of Florida. 
lion, (ieorgc Andrews, one of the present 
Supreme Judges of New York, and llun. 
Abraham Andrews Barker, of Ebensburg, 
Pennsylvania, are descendants of Captain 
Aljraliam Andrews. The parents of Mr. 
Andrews were married at Lovell, Maine, 



June 25, 1843. Mr. Andrews lived with his 
father until he was eighteen years of age, 
first at Lovell, then a few years at Stoneliam, 
an adjoining town. The family then moved 
to Portland and lived four years, when in 
1853 they returned to Lovell and remained 
until 1865. Mr. Andrews attended the com- 
mon district school, summer and winter, 
imtil he was twelve years of age; he then 
worked on his father's farm and in the tim- 
ber, his father being then engaged in farming 
and lumbering during the spring, summer 
and autnmn months, and attending school in 
the winter. Thus he received an education 
in the common branches then taught in the 
district school. July 18, 1862, he enlisted 
as a private soldier, for three years, in Com- 
pany 1), Sixteenth Regiment Maine Volun- 
teer Infantry. He served through the war, 
and was discharged as a private at Washing- 
ton, D. C, July 13, 1865. He participated 
with his regiment in the following services: 
Antietam campaign, September, 1862; the 
battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Decem- 
ber 12-15, 1862; Burnside's mud march, 
Falmouth, Virginia; battle of Chancellors- 
viUe, Virginia, April 28 to May 4, 1863; 
march to point near Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, June, 1863; engagement at Rappa- 
hannock Station, Virginia, August 1, 1863; 
march from Culpepper, Virginia, to Center- 
ville, Virginia, October 11-17, 1863; skir- 
mish at Bristow Station, Virginia, November 
26-30, 1863; Wilderness and Spottsylvania 
Court House campaign, May, 1864. The 
last year of the war, from June, 1864, on 
account of ill- health, he was on detached 
iservice at Washington, D. C. In June, 1865, 
his parents, brothers, sister and grandfather 
Andrews removed to Exira, where he joined 
them t)ctober 3, 1865. The following year 
he taught school in Cass County, at Crooked 
Creek. The summer of 18(56 he worked at 



niOGRAPniC'AL SKETGIIBS. 



703 



farm labor in Audubon Connty, and the fol- 
lowing winter taught school in Nathaniel 
Hamlin's district, in the south part of Audu- 
bon County. At the general election in 1866 
be was elected recorder of Audubon Connty, 
and served two years, and worked a portion 
of the time at carpenter work. In the sum- 
mer of 1868 he was appointed county judge 
of Audubon County, to fill a vacancy until 
the general election of tiiat year. In the fall 
of 1866 his father purchased land, built a 
residence and opened a farm, now occupied 
and owned by J. J. Ilensly and J. II. Basham, 
one-half mile south of E.xira. This place Mr. 
Andrews made his home most of the time 
until his parents sold the farm and removed 
to their present farm and residence, two miles 
northeast of Atlantic, Iowa, in 1869. In 
1870, as Deputy United States Marshal, he 
took the census in Audubon County, and also 
Shelby County. In 1870 he was admitted to 
the bar of Audubon County, as an attorney 
and counselor at law, which profession he has 
since followed with short intermissions. Feb- 
ruary 25, 1871, at Atlantic, Iowa, he was 
married to Jennie Maria Norton, by Rev. M. 
Hughes. She was a daughter of William C. 
Norton and his wife, Ruth Harriet (Thayer) 
Norton, of Oakfield, born at Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, June 21, 1850. Iler parents were 
formerly from Spring Water, Livingston 
County, New York. They settled at Oak- 
field in 1856. Mrs. Norton died in June, 
1882; Mr. Norton died in November, 1884. 
Both are buried at the Oakfield Cemetery, 
and were at the time of their decease mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The 
ciiildren of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Andrews 
were all born at Exira, Iowa. They are — 
Charles Franklin, born April 24, 1872; 
Claude Norton, born March 10, 1874; Jessa- 
mine Julia, born April 16, 1877; Wallace 
Pearl, born July 28, 1879; Jolm Hamblen, 



born October 15, 1886; I'liilip Stearns, born 
July 20, 1888. In 1872 Mr. Andrews at- 
tended one term of the law department of tiie 
Iowa State University. Aside from the school 
privileges above mentioned, Mr. Andrews has 
been a self-edncated man. He has resided at 
Exira nearly continuously since his settle- 
ment there in 1865, the only exceptions being 
a residence at Iowa City four months in the 
latter part of 1872, and a residence of one 
year at Atlantic, frojn October, 1874, and a 
residence at Audubon from March to Octo- 
ber, 1882. In politics he has always been a 
Republican. His grandfather, Isaac Andrews, 
died at Exira, December 31, 1868. Both his 
grandfather and sister are buried in the ceme- 
tery at Exira. Since March, 1882, the law 
oftice of Mr. Andrews has been located at 
Audubon. Mr. Andrews is a member of 
Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., 
Exira; Exira Lodge, No. 181, K. of P., Ex- 
ira; Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R.; Audu- 
bon, Nishnabotna Tribe, No. 8, I. O. R. M., 
Audubon; Audubon Lodge, No. 115, I. L. 
II., Audubon. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are 
both members of the Eastern Star Lodge at 
Audubon. At this time he is associated in 
the law business with William H. Hanna, 
Esq., county attorney of Audubon County, 
under the firm name of Andrews & Ilanna. 

Ill 'i ? ' 8 i ' C * A i 



jj^EV. EDWARD B. COUSINS is a mem- 
ber of the firm of Cousins & McCiure, 
editors and proprietors of the Audubon 
County Republican, Audubon, Iowa. The 
Republican was started in December, 1885, 
by Mr. Cousins and Sidney A. Foster. The 
paper was continued under tlie management 
of this firm for fifteen months. In April, 
1887, W. H. McClufo purcliased the interest 
of Mr. Foster, and tlie j)aper has since been 



704 



IIIHTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



conducted by this firm. The Republican, as 
its name implies, is Hepublican in politics. 
It is an eight-coluinn folio, issued Thursday 
of each week, and has a good circulation. It 
has done the county printing for three years, 
and it also does the city printing. The office 
is well organized and well equipped for this 
work, and the paper comes from the press a 
neat and clean sheet. Mr. Cousins was born 
in Cedar County, Iowa, May 2, 1841. He 
is the youngest of ten children of Robert and 
Ann (Beattie) Cousins. Both the father and 
mother were born in Ireland, and emigrating 
to America they iinallj settled in Cedar 
County, Iowa, where they both died about 
six months ajiart. Edward B. was then six 
years of age. His youth was spent on a farm 
and he had the advantages of the common 
schools until he was nineteen years old. He 
then went to Cornell College, Mount Vernon, 
where he pursued his studies for two years. 
In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 
Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, as a private, 
serving three years. On the organization of 
his regiment he was sent south, and took 
part in the siege of Yicksburg, also in the 
lied Uiver campaign. He then went, via 
New Orleans, around to the Shenandoah Val- 
ley, under General Phil Sheridan, and took 
part in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's 
Hill, Cedar Creek, and other smaller engage- 
ments. He was then ordered to Savannah, 
Georgia, then to Augusta to guard the ar- 
senal at that place. Afterward his regiment 
was ordered back to Savannah, Georgia, where 
Mr. Cousins was mustered out of the service 
in July, 1865. He returned to Davenport, 
where he received his pay and final discharge. 
He then resumed farming for a time, and 
'then entered the State University at Iowa 
City, graduating in the academic department 
in the class of 1872. • Going back to the 
farm, he remained but a short time, and then 



went to Chicago and entered the Presbyterian 
Theological Seminary, graduating in 1875. 
In the spring of 1874, previous to his gradu- 
ation, Mr. Cousins was licensed to preach at 
Wilton, by the Iowa City Presbytery. He 
was ordained by the Cedar Kapids Presbytery 
at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, having preached at 
several places. In the fall and winter of 
1878 and 1879 he was employed as historian 
by a history firm, having their headquarters 
at Adel, Iowa. In the spring of 1879 he 
came to Audubon as pastor of the Presby- 
terian church at that place, where he remained 
for four years. He then carried on farming 
for two years. Following this he was em- 
ployed as bookkeeper for Charles Stuart & 
Son for two years. He then became con- 
nected with his present newspaper work. In 
1876 Mr. Cousins married Miss Lou M. Post, 
of Clarence, Iowa, a daughter of E. E. Post. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cousins are the parents of one 
son — Charles Edward, who died at the age of 
six years. Mr. Cousins is a member of Ver- 
itas Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Amity Chapter, 
and Godfrey Comraandery, being one uf the 
charter members of the last. He is also a 
member of Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R. 



YRON S. PHELPS, of the firm of Nash, 
Phelps & Green, attorneys at law, Au- 
dubon, Iowa, is a native of the State of 
Vermont. He was born in Millon, Chitten- 
den County, in November, 1854, and is the 
ninth of eleven children, eight of whom sur- 
vive. William E. Phelps, the father of Byron 
S. Phelps, is a native of Vermont, and was a 
farmer by occupation; he is now retired, 
living in Milton, in his eighty-fourth year; 
the mother, Ursula Plielps, is also still living. 
Byron S. Phelps passed his early boyhood in 
Milton where he received his first lessons in 





cyCu-oo't:a^/Jce^ crzjipc^-'pzj^'io^ 




\F 



uf^io-m^^^^nAXij mj ^fom^lUiy 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



70U 



the cominou schools; he tlieu entered the 
Underliill Academy, and afterward went to 
Plattsburg, New York, At which place he 
spent one year in school. In 1873 he came 
to Atlantic, Iowa, and entered the law office 
of his brother, with whom he read law for 
three years. He was admitted to the bar of 
the circuit court. Judge Stockton presiding. 
In 1877 he removed to Stuart, Iowa, and 
started what was called the Stuart Bank in 
company with E. C Chapman; he continued 
the banking business until the fall of 1878, 
when he sold his interest in the bank. In 
June, 1878, he went to E.xira, and on the 
starting of the town of Audnbon came to 
that ]ilace; having formed a partnership at 
E.xira with John A. Nash, both gentlemen 
removed to Audubon, where they have done 
a large and prosperous business in law, real 
estate, loans and insurance. In 1886 Mr. 
Green was taken into the firm, thus making 
up the firm of Nash, Phelps & Green. Mr. 
"helps was married J nne9, 1886, to Miss Sallie 
Forbes, a daughter of James Forbes, a promi- 
nent merchant of Andubon. Mrs. Phelps 
was born in North Carolina, and was l)rought 
to her western home when a little girl. They 
have one child — Lucia, born February 22, 
1889. Mr. Phelps owns two good farms, 
which he rents. lie started out for himself 
with limited means, but by industry and 
hard work he has accumulated a considerable 
property. He owns a business house, and 
his residence, which stands ujion a high spot 
commandinii a fine view of the town. 



kATHANIEL HAMLIN.— It is a privi- 
lege that many years hence will not be 
vouchsafed to men to hear the history 
of pioneer days from the lips of the worthy 
old pioneers themselves. Nathaniel Hamlin, 



the first settler of Audnbon County, Iowa, 
was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, March 
13, 1814. His father, William Hamlin, was 
also a native of Kentucky, and was one of the 
first settlers of Lewis County. His grand- 
lather, John Hamlin, of Scotch descent, emi- 
grated from New Jersey to Ke'ntucky. His 
mother was Mary Smith, a daughter of James 
Smith, Esq., a native of England, a sailor by 
occupation. After her marriage to William 
Hamlin they settled in Lewis County, Ken- 
tucky, and there dwelt until the death of 

William Hamlin, which occurred in 1836 

tlie wife and seven children surviving. Some 
years after her husband's death Mrs. Hamlin 
came to Iowa, and made her home with her 
son Nathaniel. She died at the advanced awe 
of 100 years, one month, and a few days. 
Nathaniel Hamlin was married in Vermillion 
County, Illinois, April 9, 1840, to Margaret 
Poague, daughter of Ellen and Margaret 
(Terrill) Poague. Mr.s. Hamlin was born in 
Greenu]) County, Kentucky, August 12, 
1824, but when she was two years old her 
parents removed to Vermillion County, Illi- 
nois. Nathaniel and Margaret Hamlin are 
the parents of twelve children — Mary M., 
wife of Isaac Thomas; Ilaimah M., wife of 
C. C. Hawk; Sarah P., wife of B. F. Thomas; 
Malinda C, wife of William Ptadciifie; Will- 
iam Allen, married Florence A. Lewis; Mar- 
tha J., wife of E. S. Calph; Eliza (deceased); 
Susan P., wife of John V. Plantz; Clarinda 
II., wife of John M. Allen; Nathaniel D. 
married Elva Crane; Fernando R., married 
Emma E. Kilwortii; Kobert E., married 
Sarah Wheeler. Mrs. Hamlin's grandfather, 
Robert Poague, was a native of Scotland, and 
iier grandmother, Rebecca Poague, was born 
in Ireland. After their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Hamlin settled in Vermillion County, 
Illinois, and there resided until 1844; they 
then removed to Mahaska County, Iowa, and 



no 



HTSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



lived there seven years. September 10, 1851, 
they came to their present farm — being the 
first actual settlers in the county of Audu- 
bon. Mr. Hamlin first entered 160 acres of 
land, selecting that on the waters of Trouble- 
some Creek, which is skirted by a beautiful 
natural grove. To the south stretches a rich 
and fertile prairie, making an ideal farm- 
land. Here the pioneer settled and planned 
his future home. His first house was a 
double log cabin of two rooms, but these two 
rooms had the capacity of accommodating a 
good many persons. This house was for 
many years the travelers' liome, and numbers 
of people to-day remember the generous hos- 
pitality extended by the worthy host and his 
faithful wife. The first barn was erected the 
following fall. It and a corn-crib, erected at 
the same time, still stand as monuments to 
those early days. Mr. Hamlin went to work 
in earnest, broke out a part of his ne'w farm, 
and proceeded to place it under cultivation. 
He found a read}' market for most of his prod- 
uce, especially corn, among the emigrants 
who were journeying still further westward. 
During the years when the tide was at its 
height, Mr. Uamlin remembers many times 
when forty or fifty teams would camp in his 
gruve on account of the high waters of 
Troublesome Creek. Mr. Uamlin was elected 
the first county treasurer, an office he held 
for eight years. During a part of that time 
he acted as recorder. He was the first post- 
master appointed at Hamlin's Grove post- 
office, and held the position until the election 
of Abraham Lincoln. He has always been 
an old-style Jacksonian Democrat, and was 
appointed postmaster under General Taylor's 
administration. For two years he was county 
supervisor. Instead of Mr. Hamlin's seek- 
ing the office it sought him, and politics was 
in a healthier condition thati it is to-day. 
I)urin" the eight 3'ears he acted as treasurer 



of the county he kepthis money in the house. 
On being asked by the writer if he were not 
afraid of iiaving the money stolen, he replied 
that it was quite safe — people in those days 
being generally honest. Mr. Hamlin built 
the first school-house in the county, and he 
and one of his neighbors furniched eleven 
children, and paid the teacher. Judge D. 
M. Harris held the first court of the county in 
this same school-house. Mr. Hamlin was fond 
of chasing deer and wolf, and always kept a 
good number of hounds for the purpose, and 
to this day he keeps three fine hounds for 
chasing wolves. From the modest beginning 
of 160 acres Mr. Hamlin has increased his 
landed estate to 1,400 acres, besides having 
ffiven to each of his children from ninety to 
100 acres. This in itself is a record of in- 
dustry, thrift and wise management. Mr. 
Hamlin has been actively engaged in feeding 
live-stock, and has annually shipped from one 
to four car-loads of live-stuck to the Chicago 
markets. Although in his seventy-fifth year 
he is sound in mind and body, and attends 
to all his business with the same energy and 
pusli as in younger days. He and his estima- 
ble wife have journeyed many years together, 
and peace and happiness have been their re- 
ward. They have sixty-three grandchildren 
and four great-grandchildren. 



►>^ 



LEXANDE-R H. ROBERTS, pharma- 
cist, Audubon, Iowa, came to the place 
October 15, 1878, the day on which the 
town lots were first offered for sale. He is a 
native of the State of Iowa, was born August 
26, 184:8, in Des Moines County, twelve 
miles west of Burlington. His father, James 
Dorsey Roberts, is a native of Virginia, and 
a farmer by occupation. He removed to Iowa 
in 1838, and is now a resident of Henry 



nioa HAPIIICA L S KETCHES. 



711 



County, Iowa, wliere he has lived since 1855. 
He was born in 1823. Tlie inotlier of Ale.\- 
ander II. Roberts is Susan (McDonald) llob- 
erts, a daughter of Alexander McDonald. 
She was born in 1826, and is still living. 
The family consists of four children, of whom 
A. H. is the second. The subject of this brief 
sketch was seven years old when his parents 
removed to Henry County, Iowa. lie at- 
tended the common schools, and later pur- 
sued a three years' course at Howe's Academy- 
After leaviiig school he taught for a time, 
and then went to liurlington, where he grad- 
uated at the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- 
lege, and where he was employed as mailing 
clerk in the Burlington Ilawkeye office for 
six months. He then embarked in the mer- 
cantile business in Corning, Iowa, wiiere he 
remained twelve mouths. He went from Corn- 
ing to Mount Pleasant, wiiere he engaged in 
the drug business, in which business he has 
been engaged since that time. In the autumn 
of 1878 he came to Audubon and opened a 
stock of drugs, books and stationery. He is 
well established in trade, and is a very efficient 
druggist and careful pharmacist. Mr. Iloberts 
was united in marriage, September 14, 1871, 
to Miss Lizzie Pritchard, of Mount Pleasant, 
Iowa, a daughter of Thomas Pritchard, Esq. 
Mrs. Roberts was born in Henry County, 
Iowa, where her father was one of the earliest 
settlers, coming to the county from Philadel- 
phia in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have 
two children — Ira Pearl and Ralpli Pritchard. 
Mr. Roberts was a member of the first school 
board, serving six years. At present he is 
president of that body. He was also a mem- 
ber of the first city council. He is a member 
of Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. 
M., Mount Pleasant, Iowa; of Amity Chap- 
ter, No. 93, R. A. M., Audubon, and of God- 
frey Comniandery, K. T., Audubon. He was 
the first treasurer of the Audubon County 

45 "' 



Agricultural Society, serving four years, and 
has been elected secretary for the cominor 
year. In political matters he is rather con- 
servative. He is an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and has been 
since childhood. He is serving his tenth 
year as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, 
for the success of which he has been a faith- 
ful worker. Mr. Roberts has not only been 
an active spirit in all business enterprises in 
Audubon, but he has also been instrumental 
in elevating the morals of his adopted city. 
Reuben Roberts, grandfather of A. II. Rob- 
erts, came to Iowa at an early day. He 
made the journey via the Ohio River to the 
Mississippi, thence via the Mississippi to 
Burlington. He came from near Wheelinsr, 
West Virginia, and was the father of twelve 
children. 



' 2"I * ^" ' '■' 



fOHN D. HOLMES, physician and sur- 
geon, Audubon, Iowa, is a native of Ohio, 
born in Tuscarawas County, near New- 
commerstown, July 1, 1849. He was the 
fifth of a family of eight children, seven of 
whom were girls. His father was James 
Holmes, also a native of Ohio, born in Bel- 
mont County in 1818, a farmer by occupation. 
His mother was Elizabeth Dillahay, a native 
of Maryland, who died in 1882; she and her 
husband were among the pioneers of Ohio. 
The family moved by wagon to Wayne County, 
Iowa, in 1858, where the parents passed the 
remainder of their lives. The boyhood of the 
Doctor was passed in Wayne County, attend- 
ing the district school and working on the 
farm, where he lived until he was seventeen 
years old. He then began teaching school in 
Lucas County, Iowa. Afterward he entered 
Sinij)8on College, pursuing his studies three 
years. In 1870 lie entered the office of Dr. 



IIISTOUY OF AUnUBON COUNTTy 



C. W. Davis, under whom he read inediciiie 
tliree years. He then entered the Medical 
College of Ohio at Cincinnati, where he took 
a course of lectures. lie then came to Audu- 
bon County and commenced his practice. 
The following winter lie went to Keokuk, 
Iowa, and entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, from which he graduated in 
1876. He returned to Indianola, where be 
formed a copartnership with Dr. J. D. Mc- 
Cleary, which continued for one year. He 
then returned to Hamlin, Iowa, and resumed 
his practice there. In the fall of 1878 be 
removed to the new town of Audubon, where 
he has been actively engaged in his profession 
ever since, with the exception of seven months 
spent in Little liock, Arkansas. He is a mem- 
ber of the Botna Valley Medical Society, of 
the State Medical Society, and of the Ameri- 
can Medical Society. He was elected mayor 
of the town of Audubon, serving three years, 
and succeeding E. J. Freeman. He was one 
of the electors from the Nintli Congressional 
District, and cast the electoral vote for James 
G. Blaine and John A. Logan. He is a mem- 
ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., 
of which he is now Master. He is a member 
of Amity Chapter, No. 93, K. A. M., and of 
Godfrey Commandery, No. 44, K. T. 



fllOMAS WINTERS, who may be num- 
bered among the pioneer settlers of 
Audubon County, Iowa, was born in 
Yorkshire, England, November 5, 1833. He 
is a son of John and Mary Winters, who 
emigrated to America when Thomas was one 
year old; they landed on Long Island, where 
they were shipwrecked, having intended to 
land in New York City. They crossed the 
Eastern States to Upper Canada, and stopped 
in Brantford, where they settled permanently 



and lived the remainder of their days. The 
father was a shoemaker by trade. At the 
age of fifteen years Thomas left home to learn 
the carpenter's trade, and served an appren- 
ticeship of five years. After this period of 
time he worked as a journeyman on the rail- 
road through Canada, buildine' bridges on 
the Great Western. He then left the British 
dominion and came to the United States, 
spending two years in Michigan and one in 
Missouri; from Missouri he went to work on 
a farm in Mercer County, Illinois, and re- 
mained there one year. In tiie year 1862, 
when tliere was a call for men to defend this 
country's flag, he entered the army, enlisting 
in Company G, One Hundred and tecond 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He remained 
in Illinois some time; was then ordered south 
through Kentucky and Tennessee, and joined 
Sherman's army, participating in the cam- 
paign from Nashville through to Savannah; 
then hack through tlie Carolinas on to Wasli- 
ington, D. C, where he took part in the 
grand review. After being honorably dis- 
charged and receiving his pay he I'eturned to 
his home and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits for the three years following. In the 
fall of 1868 he removed whh his family to 
Audubon County, settling on what was known 
as the swatnp land. The following spring he 
bought of the American Swamp Land Com- 
pany eighty acres of land on the Nishnabotna 
River, in what is now Viola Township; the 
county had not been divided into townships 
at that time. Mr. Winters broke out his land 
and built a shanty, into which lie moved his 
family. He had no neighbors, and his near- 
est market-place was Gliddeu, Carroll County, 
Iowa, at a distance requiring two days to 
make the trip. All the hardships met by 
pioneers were endured by Mr. Winters and 
his family. The second winter they spent in 
Exira, returning to the farm in the spring. 



DIOQUAPIIWAL SKETCHES. 



713 



Tlie farm is rich bottom land, finely located, 
and well stocked with hogs and cattle of high 
fjrades. Being a carpenter by trade, Mr. 
Winters built his own lioine, the lumber for 
which was sawed at the mill of Nathaniel 
Hamlin, the first settler of the county. In 
1861 Mr. Winters was married to Susanna 
Wheeler, a daughter of Caleb Wheeler; she 
was born in Ohio, but was a resident of 
Mercer County, Illinois, at the time of her 
marriage. Eight children have been born to 
this union — Eva, Blanche, Nora, Laura, Min- 
nie, Mary, Lois and George. Little Eva died 
at the age of four years. Death again came 
into the happy home and called away Lois, 
the youngest girl, a bright child of ten years. 
She died May 14, 1888. Mr. Winters ha^ 
represented his township as treasurer, and as 
school director. He is a member of the G. 
A. R. Politically he affiliates with the 
Democratic party. 



|MIL BILHARZ, an active business man 
of Audubon, lias been identified with 
the town since the spring of 1879. He 
was born in Baden, Germany, October 20, 
184:5, and emigrated to America when lie was 
nine years of age; his parents came to this 
country at the same time; they were on the 
water thirty days, and landed at the city of 
New York; from New York they went to 
Ottawa, Illinois, where they settled; here 
the father died two years later; he was a har- 
ness-maker by trade. The mother, Maria 
(Speas) Bilharz, died in Ottawa in her forty- 
tiiird year; she was also a native of Baden, 
Germany. There were ten children in the 
family, six of whom survive. Emil was the 
fourth child. After coming to this country 
he spent his youth in Ottawa, Illinois. At 
the age of nineteen years he entered a store 



in Seneca, Illinois, as clerk; here he remained 
several years, and acquired a very thorough 
knowledge of the business. He then re- 
moved to Audubon, Iowa, where he estab- 
lished himself in I)nRiness, first in a general 
store, and later he kept a restaurant for 
several years. In 188(3 he opened a grocery 
store with a large and well-selected stock, 
and he is now firmly fixed in Audubon busi- 
ness circles. Mr. J5illiarz was married in 
1871 to Miss Emma Moore, of La Salle 
County, Illinois, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who came to Illinois with her parents at an 
early day. At her death she left two children 
— Edward F. and Ilattie May. Mr. Bilharz 
married his jiresent wife in 1887; she was 
Miss Mary Dawson, of Audubon, a native of 
Canada. No children have been born by this 
marriage. Mr. Bilharz owns a farm in Leroy 
Township, one in Melville Township, and one 
in Cameron Township; he also owns three 
good business houses which he rents. He 
began his career without means, and by in- 
dustry and wise management he has accumu- 
lated a good property. He is a member of 
Seneca Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Amity Chap- 
ter, No. 93, Audubon, and of Godfrey Cora- 
mandery. No. 44, Audubon. Mr. Bilharz's son « 
is a student at Grinnell College, Iowa. 



jOBERT M. CARPENTER, Postmaster 
j|,|M at Audubon, Iowa, was born in Powe- 
shiek County, near (Jrinnell, Iowa, Jan- 
uary 29, 1854; he is the fifth of nine 
children of R. C. and Mahalah (Thurinan) 
Carpenter. The father is a native of Ken- 
tucky, who in early life removed to Ohio, where 
lie was married, and resided for a number 
of years; he is still living and is a resident 
of Audubon County, Iowa; the mother was 
a native of Oliio, and was a daughter of Levi 



714 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNT f". 



Tliurnian. Robert M. Carpenter jtassed his 
bojliood in his native county, attending the 
district school, and working on tlie farm in 
the summer time. He attended Iowa Col- 
lege at Grinnell, and afterward Oskaloosa, 
remaining in the latter school two years. 
He began his career as a teacher, and fol- 
lowed this profession for nine years. In 
1878 he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, 
and in the following year was elected super- 
intendent of the Audubon County schools, 
which office he held for two terras, being 
elected on the Democratic ticket. In Jan- 
uary, 1884, he became editor and proprietor 
t)f the Auduhoii County Advocate,' he con- 
tinued in this business until Ja' uary 25, 
1887, when he sold out the paper. October 
27, 1887, he was appointed postmaster of Au- 
dubon, the appointment being confirmed No- 
vember 8, 1887; he assumed the duties of 
this office January 25, 1888, and is an effi- 
cietit, accommodating officer. December 13, 
1879, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage 
to Miss Minnie A., daughter of Freeman 
Drake, of Audubon County, Iowa. Mrs. Car- 
penter was born in the State of Miimesota; 
they are the parents of two sons — Maurice 
• M. and Carroll C. 



fOHN JARMAN was born in Sussex, 
England, November 25, 1827, and is a 
son of William and Sarah (Noaks) Jar- 
man. He remained in his native country 
until he had attained his majority, being 
reared to the occupation of a farmer. He 
obtained a limited education in the common 
schools, but by the cultivation of his observa- 
tion lie has acquired a fund of information, 
enabling him to attend to any business that 
may devolve upon him. Mr. Jarman was 
married in the year 1849 to Mary Coomer, 



daughter of Stephen Coomer. She was born 
in 1825 and died in 1859. Four children 
were born of this marriage — ^Sarah, residing 
in Illinois; Hannah and Eliza, both residing 
in Minnesota; and Mary, living in Dakota. 
Almost immediately after his marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Jarman emigrated to America, and 
settled in Saint Clair County, Michigan, 
where Mrs. Jarman died. In 1860 Mr. Jar- 
man removed to Minnesota, and settled in 
Winona County. There he made his home 
until 1878, when he came to Andubon County. 
He was married to his present wife, who was 
Miss Mattie Irvin, July 3, 1887. She is the 
daughter of John and Agnes (English) Irvin, 
natives of Kentucky, and was born in Itush- 
.ville, Illinois, November 8, 1845. When 
j\Ir. Jarman came to Andubon County he 
bought a tract of 200 acres in Greeley Town- 
ship, which had very few improvements, and 
about fifteen acres of land broken; the re- 
mainder was raw prairie, but to-day it is one 
of the finest farms in that part of the county. 
There is a beautiful frame residence, and 
barns for stock and grain. Our subject de- 
votes himself to farmine: and stock-raisinir, 
and is striving to better tiie grade of live- 
stock in the community. He is a man who 
has done much toward the development of 
the county, and is deserving of tlie esteem in 
which he is held. lie affiliates with the Re- 
publican party. lie and his wife are con- 
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

~*-^|*i'-'^^**-~^ 

fRANK D. ALLEN is a member of tlie 
firm of Allen & Crane, proprietors of 
the Audubon County Advocate, the 
oldest paper in the county. This firm suc- 
ceeded the firm of Crane & Crane, Mr. Allen 
purchasing an interest in the paper in Octo- 



BWaRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



715 



ber, 1888. Frank D. Allen was the former 
jiroprietur and founder of the Western, Bliz- 
zard at Uray, Iowa, a semi-weekly, success- 
fully managed by Mr. Allen for a time, and 
then moved to Audubon and consolidated 
with the Adoucatc. Previous to his starting 
the Blizzard Mr. Allen had been traveling 
corresjiondent for several of the leading 
OuKiiiH papei'S for a ]ieriod of two years, vis- 
iting all the important towns and cities from 
the Missouri River to the J'acific Coast. 
Mr. Allen i.- a native of the State of Iowa, 
born in Jones County, in November, 1867. 
lie received his earlier education in the com- 
mon schools, and then entered tiie Western 
Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, where 
he pursued his studies for one year. On 
leaving school he began his career as an ed- 
itor. Although the father, A. E. Allen, was 
a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, the son 
preferred to wield the pen. A. E. Allen was 
an old settler of Jones County, Iowa, and 
owner of nearly 1,000 acres in Audubon 
County; he moved to the county in 1882, 
and is one of the substantial farmers of Vi- 
ola Township. The mother of Mr. Allen was 
Miss Mary Gilbert, of Jones County, Iowa, a 
native of Ohio, and a daughter ot Eussell Gil- 
bert, now a prominent merchant of Wyoming, 
Iowa. She died in 1872, leaving four sons, 
three of whom still survive. Frank I). Allen 
started his first paper at Dedham, but it was 
not a success, and he took Horace Greeley's 
advice, and turned up at the Black Hills in 
Dakota. After he had been there three 
months he secured a position with the 
county attorney, as secretary and corre- 
spondent, for two months; after that he se- 
cured a position on the Omaha Bee as local 
correspondent; he traveled in the interest of 
the paper and wrote up many im])ortant 
towns and cities in Nebraska and Soutliern 
Dakota. At one time he was con-espoiident 



for the Chicago papers, among which we 
mention the Chicago Sunday National, one 
of the leading humorous papers of the west. 

'°^ "| * 3"t ' |" — 



fAMES T. BELL,oneof Audub.m County's 
pioneer teachers, has devoted twenty 
years to his chosen profession, ami many 
a youth owes his success in life to the early 
impressions iTiade by the zeal and energy 
which Mr. IJell manifested in his noble call- 
ing. This venerable teacher was born in 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, August 
8, 1827, and is the oldest son and second 
child of William and Martha L. (Shannon) 
Bell, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared 
in his native county and received a common- 
school education. He began his career by 
teaching one term in his own county. He 
then drifted west, and in 1855 stopped in 
Garnavillo, Clayton County, Iowa. He con- 
tinued to reside there until 187-4, when he re- 
moved to Audubon County, and soon after 
began teaching. He closed his last term in 
March, of the present year, 1889. On May 4, 
1861, he entered the Union army, joining the 
Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was 
assigned to Hannibal, Missouri, and there 
guarded the Hanibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
during the iirst summer. The following fall 
he was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, and was 
ordered from that point to St. Charles, where 
he guarded the North Missouri Railway at 
different points for one winter. His regi- 
ment was then sent to make up tiie expedition 
of the Tennessee River, General Grant com- 
manding. He took part in the engagement 
at Blue Mills, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, 
and was ordered to Moscow, Tennessee; and 
was then ordered to Moscow, Missouri, 
guarding there the Memphis tSi St. Ciiarles 
Railroad. In the following spring he went 



710 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.-^ 



to Memphis, and from that jjlace passed to 
Vicksburg, and was iu the siege from May 
18 to July 4. Thence the regiment was 
ordered to Natchez, after which he was sent 
to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was honorably 
discharged in June, 1864. Returning to 
Clayton County he remained there until 1874, 
when he went to Audubon County, as before 
stated. Soon after coming to the county Mr. 
Bell bought eighty acres of land to which he has 
added until he now owns 240 acres, all fenced 
and nuder good cultivation. Mr. Bell was 
married in March, 1888, to Mrs. Irving, a 
native of the State of Kew York. She came to 
this county in 1883, having previous to this 
timelosther former husband, James F. Irving, 
by whom she had one son, Frank F. Irving. 
Mr. Bell has served as township clerk three 
terms, and as trustee one term. 



►^wf- 



UKE BAKER, a farmer of Greeley 
Township, has been a resident of the 
State of Iowa since he was twelve years 
of age. lie is a native of Stephenson County, 
Illinois, and was born January 23, 1859. 
His parents are Richard and Fannie (Shoe- 
smith) Baker, natives of England, who emi- 
grated to America, and now reside in Gutii- 
rie County, Iowa. Mr. Baker was married 
February 25, 1885, to Miss Laura A. Giles, 
a daughter of Salem and Sophlana Giles. 
Mrs. Baker was born in Henry County, Illi- 
nois, April 27, 1858. One child has been 
born of this marriage — Ada R. In 1884 
Mr. Baker came to Audubon County and 
settled on his farm. In 1882 he had purchased 
120 acres of wild land in Greeley Township, 
upon which he has made many valuable im- 
provements. He has a good two-story frame 
residence, and all his surroundings are indic- 
ative of prosperity. Although a young man 



Mr. Baker has a good foothold in the county, 
and we anticipate for hiiu a successful future. 
In politics he supports the issues of the Re- 
publican party. He is the present trustee of 
the township, and has served as road super- 
visor. He devotes himself to farming and 
stock-raising, and is numbered with the fore- 
most farmers of Greeley Township. 

^.. ? .;,.{. ? ..-~ 



HOMAS WALKER has been identified 
with the history of Audubon County 
since 1865. He was born in England, 
June 30, 1824, and is a son of William and 
Mary (Sherman) Walker. He received a 
good common-school education in liis native 
country, and in 1841 he went to London and 
clerked for a number of years. On February 
3, 1850, he sailed for America, and landed in 
the city of New York, March 16. Thence he 
went to New Jersey, and was there employed 
on a farm for two years; after which he 
drifted west to the State of Ohio. He did 
not remain there long, but returned to New 
Jersey, and then removed to La Porte, Indi- 
ana, and engaged in farming. In the spring 
of 1865 Mr. Walker moved west to Audubon 
County, Iowa, and was variously employed 
until 1872, when he was elected clerk of the 
Audubon County court, a position which he 
has filled ably, and for which service he was 
paid the extravagant sum of $14 per month! 
He resigned this position, and went to grub- 
bing to make money faster. Collecting his 
money together he started a store in Oakfield 
on a small scale, and later he associated him- 
self with other parties. In 1875 he was 
elected county auditor for a term of two 
years, and was twice re-elected. He also 
served as deputy two years under W. F. 
Stotts. On retiring from office he engaged 
ill the real-estate and abstract business. He 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



717 



owns some valuable town lots and some prop- 
erty which he rents. At present he is city 
and township assessor, township clerk, and 
notary pnl)lic. In 1877 Mr. Walker was. 
united in marriage to Lena Delaiioyde, of 
Exira, Iowa. Mr. Walker is a member of 
Veritas L xi-e, JSo. 392, A. F. & A. M.; of 
Amity Ciiapter, No. 93, R. A. M.; and of 
Goli'Vcy Commandery, No. 44, K. T. 

■ " • ■^ • 3"; . ^ i. ... 



^ENRY W. HANNA, attorney at law, 
Audubon, Iowa, was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, in the village of Utica, 
December 25, 1847. Ills father, Andrew G. 
Ilanna, was one of the early settlers in Ohio, 
lie was mari'ied to Miss Lavina Sharp, of 
Wayne County, Ohio, and they settled in 
Licking County, afterward removing to Rich- 
land County; from this county they came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, in 1854, and stopped 
at what was then known as Clark's Mills, 
now Coralville. Here they lived until Sep- 
tember, 1855, and then moved to Iowa City, 
where they resided until March, 1850, when 
they removed to Benton County, Iowa. Here 
they went on a new place, to which they 
added many improvements. In 1875 they 
removed to Marengo, where Andrew G. 
Hanna died, December 30, 1880. II is wife, 
who still .survives him, makes lier home with 
her daughter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is 
the mother of six children, four sons and two 
daughters. Henry W. Ilanna is the third 
child. His early education was received in 
the district schools of liciiton (bounty. In 
186() iie entered the State University at Iowa 
City, and graduated from the academical de- 
partment in 1872. He spent the winters of 
1867, 1808 and 1869 in teaching school. In 
September, 1872, Mr. Ilanna went to Cass 
County, Iowa, and began the study of law in 



Atlantic with his brother, J. T. Ilanna. He 
was admitted to the bar in March, 1874. In 
September of the same year he moved to Ex- 
ira, Audubon County, and commenced the 
practice of law. In October, 1879, he went 
to Audubon and opened an office alone, and 
has since Been engaged in an active practice 
of his profession. Mr. Ilanna was married 
September, 1883, to Miss Jennie Braytoii, of 
Audubon, a native of Wisconsin. They have 
two children — Lena L. and Ruby M. Mr. 
Ilanna wa.s elected county attorney in the fall 
of 1886, and re-elected in 1888. He owns a 
good farm, which he rents. He was initiated 
in Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., 
at Exira, and liecame a member of Veritas 
Lodge at Audubon in 1882. He is also a 
member of Godfrey Commandery, No. 44, 
being one of its charter members, and re- 
corder since its organization. Durinir his 
residence in Cass County he was appointed 
deputy sheriff, and served under E. E. Her- 
bert and J. S. Presnall. He has served as 
secretary of the Blue Lodge for two years. 
He has a select law library which cost $1,500, 
and is one of the best in the western part of 
the State, and a complete set of abstracts of 
all lands in Audubon County. 



►>^ 



DELBERT L. WEVER, Recorder of A u- 
dubon County, is a native of New York, 
born April 8, 1849, near Syracuse. He 
was three years old when his parents moved 
to Illinois, where he grew to manhood. His 
■father, Moses 11. Wever, is a blacksmith by 
trade, and continued his work until he was 
in his seventieth year. He is now making 
his home with our subject. His wife, Adel- 
bert L. Wever's mother, was Catherine (Free- 
dom) Vandenburg, of Dutch descent, who 
died when her five children were all (juite 



713 



IIISTOnr OF AUDUBON COUNTT^ 



young. Adelbert L. AYever attended the 
common school in liis boyhood; he then en- 
tered Wheaton Academy, and afterward pur- 
sued his studies at tlie Baptist University at 
Burlington, Iowa, for one year. lie then re- 
turned home and began farming, which he 
continued until 1873, when lie removed to 
Stewart, Iowa. Here he engaged in the 
butcher's business for some years. In the 
fall of 1879 he came to Audubon and engaged 
in the grain trade. He managed the grain 
business for George Gray at this station, until 
he was elected to his office in 1886. He as- 
sumed the duties of this position January 3, 
1887. He was re-elected in the fall of 1888 
by the largest majority that had ever been 
given any office since the organization of the 
county. Mr. Wever was married in 1878 to 
Miss Anna Walsh, of Stewart, Iowa, a native 
of County Sligo, Ireland, where slie was 
reared. They have two children, a son and 
daughter— George and Anna. Mr. Wever is 
a member of the I. (). O. F., Audubon 
Encampment, No. 109; of the Knights of 
Pythias, No. 163, belonging to the uniformed 
rank, and of the Independent Order of Red 
Men, Nishnabotna, No. 8. 

fOIIN T. JENKINS, a prominent fanner 
and extensive land-owner, is the second 
son of John S. and Malinda (Miller) 
Jenkins. He was born in Meade County, 
Kentucky, November 14, 1838. Soon after 
liis birth his parents removed to Perry 
County, Indiana, and settled near Rome, on 
a farm, and remained there between four and 
five years. In the fall of 1850 John S. 
Jenkins and family removed to Wapello 
County, Iowa, and remained tiiere a few 
months. In the following May they removed 
to Audubon County, and settled on a tract of 



land which is now a part of the old town site 
of Oakiield. This land was pre-empted by 
Mr. Jenkins, and when it came into the mar- 
ket he bought it of the "jovernment. Audu- 
bon County was at that time a part of Cass 
County. This tract of land was skirted ou 
the north by a fine grove of timber, while to 
the south lay a beautiful prairie which was 
as level as a table, and was well designed by 
nature for the home of a pioneer. Mr. 
Jenkins broke out and put under cultivation 
a part of this new farm, which contained IGO 
acres of prairie and a small piece of timber. 
So attractive was the spot that Mr. Jenkins 
believed he had struck the garden spot of the 
world. However, after the lapse of four years 
he sold this place and bought anotlier, two 
and a half miles east of the first one, the 
present site of the town of Oaktield. On this 
farm he lived several years, and then sold it 
and purchased a tract of land on the west 
side of the Nishnabotna River. By this time 
Mr. Jenkins had become (piite an extensive 
land-owner. He and his son, Jolin T., owned 
the land on which the town of Brayton now 
stands. This place was platted by Joiin T. 
Jenkins, in 1879. John S. Jenkins" next 
home farm was north and west of the town 
site of Brayton. He was an active citizen, 
well and favorably known, and when his deatli 
occurred, July 11, 1886, Audubon County 
lost one of lier beloved pioneers and most 
honored citizens. Mrs. Jenkins passed to iier 
eternal rest March 10, 1882. She was the 
mother of six children, all of whom lived to 
be ofrown, were married and had children — 
Benjamin F. died December 2-1, 1887, leaving 
a wife and six children; John T., Sarah B., 
wife of L. L. Bartlett, of Shelby County; 
Isaac H., Harriet, wife of G. W. Cannon, and 
George W. Joim T. Jenkins, the subject of 
this notice, was reared on a farm and received 
the industrial and intellectual training com- 



DWGRArUICjU. SKETCHES. 



719 



iiion to his surroundings. On reaching his 
twentieth year ho took a trip to Pike's Peak, 
in search of wealth, and returned the follow- 
ing winter. August 19, 1861, he enlisted in 
the defense of his country, being a member 
of the Second Iowa Battery, Nelson T. 
Spooner, Captain. He passed the first win- 
ter in northwestern Missouri, building breast- 
works and guarding railroads. In February, 
1862, he was sent south to Ishind No. 10, and 
took part in that engagement. Thence he 
came up the Tennessee River to Ilainliurg's 
Landing. For twenty-one days before reach- 
ing Corinth he was under fire. He took part 
in the first and second battles of Corinth, 
the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of luka, 
Mississippi, Tupelo, Mississippi, and was in 
the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth 
Army Corps, under Generals McPherson, 
Sherman and Pope. He was mustered out 
September 4, 1865, and returned to his old 
lionie in Audubon County. January 19,1865, 
Mr. Jenkins was married to Darthula Rodg- 
ers, of Audubon County, Iowa. She was 
born in Illinois, and was the second daughter 
of Thomas and Sarah Rodgers. After his 
marriage Mr. Jenkins settled on a farm and 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 
1879 he formed a partnership with C. H. 
Vail, embarking in the mercantile business 
under tiie firm name of Jenkins tt Vail, at 
Brayton. This firm continued in transact 
business successfully for a period of nine 
years, when Mr. Vail was elected county 
clerk. Mr. Jenkins bought Mr. Vail's inter- 
est, and the business was continued. In 
1887 Mr. Jenkins retired from the business, 
and since that time he has been largely en- 
gaged in dealing in live-stock. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenkins have had born to them three chil- 
dren — Jeanette, Marion E. and Fraidc G. 
Mr. Jenkins's landed estate numbers 540 
acres, which is in a higli state of cultivation. 



He has served two terms as supervisor, as 
township clerk and as township trustee. He 
has been a member of the school board three 
terms. Politically he is a staunch Republi- 
can, and takes an active interest in the suc- 
cess of the party. He was elected an alternate 
to the National Convention in Chicairo in 
1888. He was appointed postmaster under 
General Grant's administration, and held the 
office until the election of Grover Cleveland 
as President. Mr. Jenkins is a member of 
Pymosa Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M., at 
Atlantic, Iowa, and of Audubon Lodge, No. 
217, I. O. O. F., at Brayton. 

^ • 3"i - |" "^ 



fO H N RILEY, physician and surgeon, 
Exira, Iowa, is a native of the State of 
Illinois. He was born in Bureau County, 
near the spot where Neponset now stands, 
August 18, 1850, and is the second in a 
family of seven sons, all of whom lived to 
maturity. John and Abigail (Burnet) Riley 
were his parents, and they were both natives 
of New York. Mrs. Riley's mother and 
General Slocum were first cousins, and they 
trace their ancestry back for five generations. 
John Riley, Sr., is also a doctor, and he and 
his wife are both living at S])ring Hill, Illi- 
nois. He was one of the pioneer physicians 
in Illinois. He was educated in New York, 
and came to Chicago by way of the lakes, and 
thence across the ])rairies by wagons. In his 
younger days he conducted a large and prof- 
itable practice, and gained some distinction 
in that section of country. John Riley, Jr., 
passed his boyhood in Wiiiteside County, 
Illinois, whither his father had removed when 
he was an infant. His primary education 
was received in the district school, and later 
he attended the Academy of Prophetstown, 
and finished his literary education at Fulton, 



720 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.^ 



Illinois. He then began teaching school in 
Clinton, Iowa, and continued in this profes- 
sion for six years. "While engaged in teach- 
ing he took up the study of medicine, and 
afterward entered the office of Doctors Mc- 
Cortnick & Smith, the leading physicians of 
the place. After reading under their direc- 
tion for some time he entered the medical 
department of tlie Iowa State University, and 
was graduated from that institution in 1880. 
He then came to Exira, and began the prac- 
tice of his profession, to which he has de- 
voted the whole of his time and energies with 
gratifying results. Dr. Riley was married 
August 26, 1880, to Miss Mary J. Powers, a 
native of Ohio. She was a graduate of the 
TVesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and 
for some time was engaged in teaching at 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have two chil- 
dren — Ethel M. and John. The Doctor is 
Master of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & 
A. M., and M. W. of the A. O. U. W. He 
is a member of the town council, and is now 
president of the school board; he is also a 
member of the Iowa State Medical Society, 
and president of the Botna Valley Medical 
Association. Of the seven sons in this fam- 
ily three are physicians, three are lawyers, 
and one is a farmer. One of the attorneys 
died in March, 1888; he had studied law with 
Mrs. Foster. Their names are — Charles, at- 
torney; John, physician; William, attorney 
(deceased); George W., attorney; Bruce, phy- 
sician; Lincoln, physician; and Henry Clay, 
at home on the farm in Illinois. All are 
married, except Bruce. 



iTTO WITTUAUER, dealer in lumber, 
Exira, Iowa, was born in Center County, 
Pennsylvania, in the town of Wood- 
ward, October 11, 1857. He is the third 



child of Herman and Louisa (Fleal) Witt- 
haner. natives of Germany, who emigrated to 
America in 1854 and settled in Pennsylvania, 
and there remained until April, 18(35, when 
they removed to Guthrie County, Iowa; here 
they permanently settled and still reside, Mr. 
Witthauer devotinof himself to farminjr. Otto 
Witthauer was only seven years old when his 
parents came to Guthrie County, Iowa; there 
he passed his boyhood and attended the dis- 
trict school. Later he attended the Guthrie 
High School at Panora, in which institution 
he-pursued his studies industriously for eight- 
een months. He then begran his career as a 
teacher at the age of nineteen years, and con- 
tinued work in this profession for four years. 
In the summer of 1880 he took the United 
States census in the two townships, Valley 
and Jackson, in Guthrie County. In the fall 
of 1880 he entered the employ of Charles 
Stuart, of Guthrie Center, Iowa. He took 
charge of the grain and lumber business at 
Monteith, Iowa, and remained there until 
April, 1881, when he came to Exira and took 
chargeof the same business. Mr. Witthauer 
continued in Mr. Stuart's employ until 1884, 
when he was elected to the office of county 
recorder on the Democratic ticket. He then 
removed to Audubon, and assumed the duties 
of the office January 1, 1885. He tilled the 
office acceptably and was renominated, but 
defeated by the small majority of thirty. He 
is treasurer of the independent school district 
of Exira, and a member of the city council. 
He takes an active part in politics, acting as 
delegate to State, congressional and judicial 
conventions, voting the Democratic ticket. 
In January, 1887, Mr. Witthauer returned to 
Exira, and embarked in the grocery business 
with his father-in-law, Mr. Bowman. May 10, 
1887, he lost some property by fire, having lit tie 
insurance. ' He again took charge of Mr. 
Stuart's business, and when Mr. Stuart sohl 



BlOGUArUICAL SKETCHES. 



out tlie business Mr. Witthauer einharked 
in the same enterprise on his own account- 
He keeps a good stock of lumber, posts, and all 
kinds of stone and lime. He was married June 
13, 1883, to Miss Mattie Cowman, daugliter of 
William Bowman, Esq. She was born in the 
State of Ohio, and when a child came to New- 
ton, Iowa, with her parents. Mr. and Mrs- 
Witthauer are the parents of two children — 
Bessie, and one child that died in infancy. 
Mr. Witthauer is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, Lodge No. 181, and is keeper of 
records and seal, and trustee of the same. 



■• ""! • 3 < ' S • I ' '-^ 

I^POLLONIUS B. HOUSTON, a pioneer 
of Audubon County, Iowa, was born in 
the State of South Carolina, February 
16, 1823. At the age of nine years he was 
taken to Tennessee, whither his parents had 
removed, and settled in Maury County. 
Oswald Houston, his father, was born in 
South Carolina, in 1798. He engaged in the 
mercantile trade at Williamsport, Tennessee, 
and on his removal to Atlanta, Georgia, he 
was occupied with the same business. He 
died in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11, 1861. 
Oswald Houston's wife was Anna Louisa 
Shaw, a daughter of Anna Fardoo. She was 
born in 1803. They had born to them ten 
children, six of whom lived to maturity. 
ApoUonius B. was the eldest child. lie 
passed the greater part of his youth in Ten- 
nessee, and received his education in the 
subscription schools. He was a partner of 
his father in the mercantile business in 
Atlanta, Georgia, and remained there until 
1853, when he made a tour of the State of 
Texas and the Pacific States, after which he 
returned to Tennessee. In 1856 he removed 
to Audubon (/ountj, Iowa, in wagons, cover- 
ing the journey in seven weeks. He had 



started to California, but was prevented by 
the government on account of the dej)rcda- 
tions committed by the Indians. Mr. Hous- 
ton settled near Hamlin's Grove, and was 
one of the first settlers in Exira, building the 
first dwelling house in the village. He also 
assisted in the erection of the first school- 
liouse in the place. In 1844 Mr. Houston 
was married to Nancy Bridges, of Maury 
County, Tennessee, a daughter of James C. 
Bridges, by whom teTi children were born, all 
of whom have lived to maturity — Henry B., 
Udora 1., now Mrs. W. F. Stotts; Lonisa B., 
the wife of M. J. Kagan; W. W. Houston, 
O. J. Houston, Flora D., wife of David B. 
Lyon; Mary L., wife of Thoma.s Bryant; 
Charles W. and Robert L. Houston, and Lida 
A., wife of George Henshaw, and the young- 
est child. Mr. Houston has filled the offices 
of county clerk, county judge, county treas- 
urer, and many minor offices. For the last 
six years he has served as justice of the peace. 
He has been a member of the Masonic order 
for forty years. He has served as mayor of 
Exira for two terms. During the past twelve 
years Mr. Houston has dealt in real estate. 
lie owns land in the States of Nebraska and 
Missouri. He built the Houston House in 
Exira in 1871, and was proprietor of the 
hotel until August, 1888. Mr. Houston's 
mother died November 21, 1888, at Atlanta, 
Georgia. 

~*''^*^J*|«-~ 



ARIUS W. POWERS was born in 
1 Hamilton County, Ohio, in the city of 
Cincinnati, September 23, 1847. Fie 
is the son of Cyrus and Mary 11. (Wallace) 
Powers, natives of the State of Vermont. 
Cyrus Powers emigrated to the State of Ohio 
at an early day, and was a contractor in Cin- 
cinnati for many years, building a number of 



733 



UI8T0RT OF AUDUBON COUNTY.^ 



the liuer old residences. In 1856 he re- 
moved to La Salle County, Illinois, and set- 
tled on a farm, spending the remainder of his 
days there. He died in October, 1871. His 
wife survived him until 1884. Darius W., 
the subject of this biography, passed his boy- 
hood on a farm in La Salle County, Illinois, 
and attended the district sciiool. At the age 
of twenty-one years he began teaching school, 
and continued this occupation three years. 
In 1874 he came to Oakfield, and in the fol- 
lowing spring he embarked in the mercantile 
business, being associated with Isaac P. Hal- 
lock and I. H. Jenkins, under the firm name 
of Hallock, Jenkins & Powers. At the ex- 
piration of three years Mr. Jenkins and Mr. 
Powers sold their interest to Mr. Ilallock. 
Mr. Powers then engaged in the grain, lum- 
ber and coal business, selling the grain interest 
in 1885, and disposing of the coal and lumber 
business in 1888, to the Green Baj' Lumber 
Company. In the fall of 1888 he again be- 
gan handling grain. Mr. Powers was married 
in October, 1869, to Miss Eliza M., daughter 
of Thomas and Mary E. (Ilallock) Dissmore, 
of La Salic County, Illinois. They are the 
parents of four children — Male, George D., 
Marie and Richard W. Mr. Powers has 
hold the office of justice of the peace for 
three terms, notary public for thirteen years, 
a member of the school board, and treasurer 
of the township. lie is a staunch supporter 
of the Republican party. Mr. Powers owns 
a farm of 400 acres, which is well stocked, 
especially with cattle and horses. 



ILSON BURNSIDE, one of Audu- 
■'s prosperous business men, and 
one of its pioneer grain dealers, es- 
tablished his business in the county seat in 
1878. lie was the first to start the business 




in which he has been actively engaged ever 
since. He is a man who has contributed his 
full share to the business interests of his 
adopted town, and who has added very ma- 
terially to its linancial standing, as well as its 
good name. Wilson Burnside was born in 
McIIenry County, Illinois, near "Woodstock, 
the county seat, September 7, 1848, and is 
the son of Wilson and Celestia (Wayne) 
Burnside; the mother was a daughter of An- 
thony Wayne, Esq., and a native of New 
York; the father was of Scotch-Irish descent. 
Wilson Burnside passed his early boyhood in 
McIIenry County, attending the common 
school in the winter time, and assisting his 
father on the farm during the summer. At 
the age of twenty-two he went to Kansas, 
and embarked in the mercantile business in 
the town of Florence; here he remained four 
years, and at the expiration of that time, he 
disposed of the business and removed to Car- 
roll County, Iowa. There he engaged in the 
grain trade and general merchandising for 
three and a half years, and then sold out, 
coming to Audubon; here he established 
himself in the grain trade, handling live- 
stock, principally hogs and cattle, in con- 
nection with the grain. He built the first 
warehouse near the Northwestern Railroad, 
and also one near the Rock Island Railroad, 
thus affording the best shipping facilities. 
The first three years of his residence in Au- 
dubon, he had a store containing a general 
stock of merchandise, in connection with his 
grain business. In August, 1888, Mr. Bum- 
side formed a partnership with C. A. Francis, 
under the firm name of Burnside & Francis; 
during the years 1888 and 1889 they shipped 
200,000 bushels of corn and oats. Mr. Burn- 
side was elected a member of the school 
board in 1888, and still holds that position. 
He is a meml)er or Veritas Lodge, No. 392, 
A. F. it A. M.; Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. 



BIOGIiAl'HWAL SKETCUES. 



723 



A. M.; and of Godfrey Conimandery, No. 44, 
K. T. In political matters he is rather con- 
servative. Mr. Burnside began his business 
career on small capital, but by industry and 
close attention to business he has acquired a 
handsome property. He has a line residence 
which is situated on the summit of a hill, 
affording a view of Audubon and the sur- 
rounding country. Mr. I'urnside was mar. 
ried in 1871 to Miss Mary E. Ary. of Linn 
County, Iowa, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of Sinclair Ary, Esq. Tliey are 
the parents of five children — Grace J3., Mary 
Belle, Charles, Wellington and Ned, the last 
two named being deceased. 



., ? . 3 m;. ? .«.~ 



fOIIN B. DOAK, Treasurer of Audubon 
County, Iowa, is a native of the State 
of Pennsylvania, born in Columbia County, 
on a farm near Bloonisbnrgh, October 19, 
1851. He is the eldest son and second child 
in a family of four sons and four daughters, 
all of whom are living. His father, Henry 
Doak, is a farmer by occupation; his mother 
was Dorcas Brothwell, a native of Pennsyl 
vania, and a daughter of Dr. C. Brothwell; 
both parents arc living on a farm near 
Bloomsburgh, the father in his sixty-third 
3'ear, and the mother in her sixty-first. The 
boyhood of our subject was spent in his na- 
tive county, attending the district school; 
later, heentered the Normal School at Blooms- 
burgh, and afterward taught two winters. He 
remained with his parents until his twenty- 
first year. He then went to Lehigh Coal 
Mines, and remained there four years, having 
various connections with the coal company. 
In 1877 he went to Saint Joseph County, 
Michigan, stopping near Three Rivers. In 
1879 he came to Audubon County, stopping 
at Exira, where he spent one winter; he then 



came to Audubon and remained one year. 
He then went to Fort Collins, Colorado. In 
1881 he returned to Audubon County, and 
acted as a clerk in a store until he was elected 
treasurer of the county in 1887. Mr. Doak 
assumed the duties of this office January 1, 
1888. He is a member of the Veritas Lodo-e, 
No. 392, A. F. & A. M.; of Amity Chapter' 
No. 93, R. A. M., and of Godfrey Com- 
mandery. No. 44, K. T. 

fANIEL G. LASS, physician and sur- 
geon, Audubon, Iowa, is of German 
nativity, born in the city of Bremen, 
January 19, 1858. He is a son of Lorenz 
H. and Meta (Rohde) Lass. The father was 
a sea captain on the waters between Bremen 
and Honolulu. lie died at Bremen in 1805, 
and the mother died at the same place in 
1860. The youth of our subject was passed 
in attending the schools of his native city, 
where he received the degree of B. A. In 
1872 he emigrated to the city of New York, 
where he remained four years in the employ 
of John Faber, brother to tlie celebrated Faber 
pencil-maker, in the capacity of pharmacit-t. 
In 1875 he came to Iowa, and 6toj)ped in 
Nora Springs, where he clerked in a pharmacy 
for Dr. C. C. Birney, who became his pre 
ceptor in the study of medicine. He passed 
one examination before tiie Iowa Commis- 
sioner of Pharmacy, and took one course of 
lectures at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, Keokuk, Io.\a. He took a second 
course at Vanderbilt University Medical De- 
partment, Nashville, Tennessee, graduatin-' 
with the class of 1885, and receiving the 
degree of M. D. Dr. Lass was elected cor- 
oner of Audubon County in 1887. He has 
also held the position of county commicsiuner 
for the insane. He came to Audubon in 



724 



UISTORT OF AUDUBOH COUNTY: 



March, 1884, and has devoted his entire time 
to his profession. He was married in 1880 
to Miss Hattie Bailey, of Audubon, a native 
of Christian County, Illinois Dr. Lass is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, of the 
Botna Valley Medical Association, and sur- 
geon for the Mutual Benefit Association, of 
Galesburg, Illinois. His brother, Lorenz 
Lass, is captain of the German ship, J. "W. 
Vendt, plying between New York and Bre- 
men. Dr. Lass has built up a good practice 
during his residence in Audubon. 



fEROME SHINGLEDECKER, a success- 
ful firmer of Leroy Township, was born 
in Cass County, Michigan, near Cassop- 
olis, the county seat, January 12, 1848. He 
is the son of Isaac A. and Barbara (Hain) 
Shino-ledecker. Isaac A. Shiuucledecker was 
Lorn in Miami County, Ohio, February 20, 
1818; his father, Jacob Shiiigledecker, was a 
native of Westmoreland County, Pennsyl 
vania, and was of German ancestry; he was a 
soldier of the war of 1812, with the rank of 
Captain. The mother of Isaac Shingledecker 
was Mary Ann Rue, a native of West Vir- 
ginia. Isaac A. was married to Barbara Ann 
Hain March 14, 1844; she was a daughter 
of Isaac and Elizabeth Hain, of German an- 
cestry. After his marriage Isaac A. SLiiigle- 
decker and wife resided in Ohio, and then 
removed to Michigan, where they remained 
until 1875 when they came to Audubon 
Count}', Iowa. The subject of this biography, 
Jerome Shingledecker, passed his youth and 
school days in Michigan, where he was reared 
on a farm, and well trained in all the details 
of the management of a farm. In 1872 lie 
took a trip to California, wiiere he remaii,ed 
three years engaged in farming. He returned 
to Michigan, and again went to California, 



being fairly successful in his business oper- 
ations. He returned once more to Michigan, 
where he was married in 1882 to Sarah 
Adams, a native of Michigan; she is a 
daughter of Moses and Hannah (Wiley) 
Adams, natives of Vermont and New York 
respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Shingledecker 
have had born to them two sons — Clarence 
and Louis Adams. In the fall of 1883 they 
removed from Michigan to Audubon County, 
Iowa, and rented their present farm for three 
years; at tlie end of that time they bought 
the place, which they have made into an at- 
tractive, comfortable home. Mr. Shingle- 
decker has made many improvements, and 
has been uniformly successful in the manage- 
ment of his farm. While a resident of 
Michigan lie was a member of the Masonic 
order at Cassopolis. Politically he is con- 
servative, voting the Republican ticket, but 
being his own judge as to who is hest fitted 
for positions of trust. 

^ ' S t' I ' S — 




ILLIAM A. CRANE, senior member 
of the firm of Allen & Crane, editors 
and proprietors of the Audubon 
County Advocate, has heen connected with 
the paper since November, 1887, leasing an 
interest from R. M. Carpenter, the present 
postmaster of Audubon. Mr. Crane managed 
the paper until March 1, 1888, when he 
formed a partnership with his uncle, the 
new firm being known as Crane & Crane, the 
Messrs. Crane having purchased the entire 
interest of the paper. They conducted the 
business successfully until October, 1888, 
when Mr. Allen bought a half interest in the 
concern, and the firm was changed to Allen 
kfe Crane. William A. Crane was born in 
Audubon County, Iowa, near Exira, Decem- 
ber, 1860. He is tlie eldest son of John and 



BIOOHAPIIICAL SKETCUES. 



725 



Mary I. (Harris) Crane. The mother is a 
daughter of D. M. Harris, the founder of the 
Audubon County Defender, a paper pub- 
lished at Exira for several years. John Crane 
was a native of tlie State of Ohio, being born 
in Highland County. He was a farmer in 
early life, but after his removal to Audubon 
County he was appointed deputy sheriff. He 
was the tirst Democratic candidate for office 
of sheriff in the county, and was beaten in the 
general election by one vote out of eighty- 
one votes cast in the county. The mother of 
our subject is still living. William A. Crane 
was reared in Exira and educated in the 
schools of that place. At the age of eighteen 
he went west to Fort Collins, Colorado, and 
entered the office of the Fort Collins Courier 
to learn the printer's trade, first serving in 
the capacity of printer's devil. He remained 
in the office for some time, and was sent out 
as a correspondent, to western Colorado and 
the Territory' of Wyoming; the country then 
being new and wild, he did nut like it, so re- 
turned to Exira. In 1881 he bought an 
interest in the Audubon County Defender, 
which was conducted under the firm name of 
Crane it Milliman. This partnership was of 
short duration, liowever, Mr. Crane going 
south to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was em- 
ployed in the State printing office. On 
leaving Atlanta, Mr. Ciane went to Cliilli- 
cotlie, Ohio, where he secured a position on 
the Sclota Gazette, as job compositor, for one 
year. He then returned to Iowa and took 
the foremanship of the Advocate at Audubon, 
holding this position for twenty months. He 
was then emphiyed in the office of the Repub- 
lican, then under the management of Cousins 
& McClure. He remained tliere about one 
year. He then took a trip through the States 
of Missouri and Kansas. He returned to 
Audubon and formed tlie business relation 
before mentioned. Mr. Crane was united in 



marriage July 31, 1884, to Miss Jennie M. 
Burton, a daughter of Henry Durton, of Exira 
Township, Audubon County. Mrs. Crane 
was born in Guthrie County, Iowa. One 
child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crane — 
Frankie Belle. Mr. Crane is a member of 
the K. of P., and of the Imi>roved Order of 
Red Men. 

M.., ? . 2 .i ; . '^ ..... 



fOSEPH McFADDEN, a successful 
farmer and stock-raiser, was born in 
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 
1853. He is the youngest son of Joseph and 
Mary (Jamison) McFadden. Joseph McFad- 
den, the father, was born in Pennsylvania, 
and is a descendant of a Scotch-Irish family. 
The mother, Mary Jamison, was also born in 
Pennsylvania, and after her marriage to Mr. 
McFadden they settled in Fayette County, 
where they lived until they removed to Mc- 
Donough County, Illinois; here they lived 
on a farm for six years, and in 1872 they 
removed to Audubon County, Iowa, and set- 
tled on a farm now owned by Mr. Shingle- 
decker in the east part of the township of 
Leroy; at that time this place was raw prairie, 
and here Mr. McFadden passed the remainder 
of his days. He died October 4, 1886, in his 
ninety-third year, and was active in mind and 
body until within six months of his death. 
When eighty years of age he made a hand 
in the harvest field. He was a kind husband, 
an indulgent father, and a generous neighbor 
His wife is still living, and makes her home 
in Shelby County with her daughter, Mrs. 
Andrew Marshall. Joseph McFadden, Jr., 
the subject of this sketch, was thirteen years 
old when he removed to Illinois with his 
parents; at the age of nineteen the family 
removed to Audubon County, and his serv- 
ices beino- valuable on the farm his school 



726 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTTf 



days were cut short; lie was well trained in 
agricultural pursuits. He continued to live 
with his parents until May, 1886, when he 
was married to Miss Abbie Iloyt, daughter of 
Francis and Elizabeth (Lauinan) Hoyt. Her 
parents now reside in Melville Township, Au- 
dubon County, and are natives of Connecticut 
and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. and Mrs. 
McFadden are the parents of one son — Francis 
Hoyt McFadden. After his marriage Mr. 
McFadden settled on his present farm of 
eighty acres, wliicli he has developed from 
raw prairie land into choice, well-improved 
land on which he has built a good residence. 
He is a very successful stock feeder, fattening 
from a half to a car-load of cattle annually. 
Mr. McFadden votes with the Republicans, 
and takes an active part in elections. Mrs. 
McFadden was born April 22, 1862, at Ot- 
tawa, La Salle County, Illinois. 



*^^j-^y 



arSAAC THOMAS.— One of tlie pioneer 
M settlers of Audubon County is Isaac 
^ Tliomas, who lives on section 7, Audubon 
Townsliip. He was born in AVashington 
County, Ohio, May 28, 1835, and is the son 
of Jacob and Elizabeth (Linn) Thomas. Mrs. 
Elizabeth L. Thomas was one of tlie first 
white children born in Monroe County, Ohio. 
She now resides in Sioux County, Nebraska, 
at the age of eighty-nine years, and is taking 
up a claim of 160 acres. Her husband died 
in Washington County, Ohio, about the year 
1847. She is the mother of ten children, of 
wliom Isaac Thomas is the tifth. He was 
reared to farm life in his native county, and 
received his education principally in tlie 
common schools. He had spent one year in 
college, when he was compelled to abandon 
the course on account of ill-health. In the 
spriiicr of 1860 he came to Iowa, and settled 



in Audubon County. He secured employ- 
ment on the farm of Nathaniel Hamlin, and 
remained in his employ for four year.s. 
About one year after he came to the county 
he was married to Miss Mary M., the oldest 
daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret (Foague) 
Hamlin, who was born in Vermillion County, 
Illinois, October 22, 1841. She was the first 
white woman who settled in Audubon County, 
having come with her father to assist in 
founding the new home, as she was the old- 
est child. She made herself very useful in 
driving the oxen and planting corn. After 
four months she returned to Mahaska County, 
where the family were then living; later, the 
same fall, the entire family removed to the 
new home in Audubon County. After the 
niarriage of Mr. Thomas, which occurred 
March 14, 1861, he remained in the employ 
of his father-in-law for three years. During 
this time he purchased eighty acres in Audu- 
bon Township. There was a rude hut on 
this place, and about twelve acres of land had 
been broken. In tlie spring of 1864 Mr. and 
Mrs. Thomas caine to this ]ilace, and have 
since made it their home. In the beginning 
they had many hardships to undergo. They 
were obliged to travel eighty miles to Des 
Moines to do their marketing, and grain and 
produce had to be hauled the same dist:ince. 
Mr. Thomas has added to his farm until he 
now has 335 acres; he has as good land as 
lies in the county, and it is improved with a 
fine residence, and barns for stock and grain. 
Politically he is a staunch Union Labor man, 
being one of the first to join the party. Pre- 
vious to the organization of this party he was 
a Democrat. He has been elected to the 
office of county supervisor three terms, and 
has held the office of justice of the peace, be- 
sides other township offices. He and his wife 
are members of the Christian church. They 
are the parents of eleven children — Luann, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



727 



Mutiirin, Belle, wife of S. J. Bloom; Jacob, 
Is'^ancy J. (deceased), Nathaniel, Oral (de- 
ceased), Rosie, John (deceased), Isaac (de- 
ceased), and Bessie. 




SILLIAM M. POULSON, farmer and 

'', dealer in fanning implements, is the 
^^^^^J present proprietorof theGrant House, 
Audubon, Iowa. He is a native of the State 
of Iowa, born in Jasper County, near the 
noted springs of Colfax, A])ril 13, 1852. His 
])arents are J. C. and Mahala (Spray) I'oul- 
son, natives of Maryland and Ohio respect- 
ively. The father was born July 20, 1820, 
and is of German ancestry. lie is a farmer 
by occupation, and now resides on the farm 
on wliich he settled in Jasper County in 1851. 
The mother died April 5, 1880. William M. 
Poulson was reared to the life of a farmer, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. He remained with his parents until 
liis majority, when he was married to Maggie 
McCuen, of Jasper County, Iowa, a daugh- 
ter of George A. McCuen. She was born in 
Ohio, and came to Iowa with her parents 
when a little girl. After his marriage Mr. 
Poulson settled in Jasper County, and fol- 
lowed farming until the spring of 1878, when 
he removed to Audubon County, settling on 
a farm in Lincoln Township. There were 
100 acres, not a furrow of which had been 
turned at that time. He built a house and 
broke out the farm which is now under good 
cultivation. He continued to farm until 
1887, when he rented the place and removed 
to the town of Au<lubon, and rented the 
Grant House, which he is still managing. It 
is a good $1 per day house, with comfortable 
sleeping-rooms, and a home-like air in all 
departments. In the si)ring of 1889 Mr. 
Poulson opened a stock of agricultural imple- 

40 



ments and buggies in Audubon. He carries 
the celebrated Champion mower and binder, 
one of the best in the market. Mr. and Mrs. 
Poulson are the parents of two children — 
Charles J. and India B. Mr. Poulson is a 
staunch Republican. lie has represented his 
township as trustee. He began his career as 
a farmer on his own account, and at the bot- 
tom of the ladder. He has met with success 
in all his efforts, and by industry and energy 
has acquired a good property. 



-►^i ^ ' S u S ' ^ ""- 



F. LITTLEFIELD has been a resident 
of Audubon County, Iowa, since 1870. 
^■^ He was born in Norfolk County, Mas- 
sachusetts, April 25, 1837, and is a son of 
Thomas and Lucinda (Sherman) Littlefield. 
He was reared in his native county, and was 
trained to the occupation of a farmer. He 
received his education in the common schools. 
When he was eighteen years of age he took 
a trip to California, and remained there 
eleven years, engaged in mining on the Pa- 
cific Coast. In 1807 he came to Iowa and 
settled in Madison County, where he engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. For ten years he 
made this his home, and then went to Audu- 
bon County. He first located in E.vira 
Township, on a farm of 200 acres of partially 
improved land. At the end of one year he 
sold this place, iiiid l)ought a farm of 100 
acres in Audubon Township, which he has 
since made his home. He has made many 
valuable improvements, erecting a good frame 
residence, and barns for stock and grain. He 
has made an addition to his farm, and now 
owns 320 acres. He is a staunch adherent 
to the principles of the Republican party. 
He has been officially identified with his 
township as treasurer of the school board for 
nine years. Mr. Littlefield was united ii) 



728 



UISTORT OF AUDUBON COU^TT. 



marriage August 2, 1867, to Miss Sarah Ed- 
wards, daughter of Francis and Margaret 
Edwards, natives of England. Mrs. Little- 
tield was born in England in July, 1850. 
Ten children have been born of this marriage 
— Thomas, Margaret L., Minnie M., Annie 
L., Charles A., John, William, Alonzo F., 
and an infant daughter. Alice was born 
March 23, 1886, and died November 22, 
1886. The family are among the most re- 
spected and worthy people of Audubon Town- 
ship. 




'^> l ' i K l '^ 

WILLIAM MALLORY, Siieriff of Au- 
dubon Couuty, is an efficient officer. 
I*-§&r| He was born in Henry County, Iowa, 
near Mount Pleasant, November 18, 1851, 
and is a son of Daniel Mallory, who was born 
at Harper's Ferry in 1826. The grandfather 
of William Mallory was William Mallory, 
who was a native of Vii-ginia and a descend- 
ant of an Irish family. Daniel Mallory was 
a farmer iu early life, and was among the 
early settlers of Henry County, Iowa. He 
enlisted at Burlington, and going tu Me,xico 
took part in most of the battles of the Me,\i- 
can war. After the close of the war he went 
to California in 1849 in search of gold, re- 
maining there two years. He then returned 
to Henry County, Iowa, and engaged in 
farming, which occupation he has since fol- 
lowed. He is still living, and resides in 
Henry County. Daniel Mallory's wife, the 
mother of our subject, was a Miss Hhoda 
Jay, born of Quaker parents, in North Caro- 
lina. Her family removed to the Territory of 
Iowa when she was a young child. Daniel 
Mallory and wife were the parents of ten 
children, one daughter and nine sons, six of 
whom still survive. William Mallory, the 
subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm 



near the bank of the Skunk River. He spent 
his summers in working on the farm, and his 
winters in attending the district school. Later 
he was sent to Howe's Academy at Mount 
Pleasant, Iowa, where he pursued his studies 
one year. In 1873 Mr. Malloi'y was married 
to Miss Ophelia Lane, of Henry County, a 
schoolmate, and a daughter of Abner and 
Barbara Lane. In 1877 they removed to 
Audubon County, living on a farm for one 
year. When the town of Audubon was started 
Mr. Mallory moved to the place and em- 
barked in the clothing business, which he 
carried on successfully for six years. In 1885 
he was elected sheriff of Audubon County, 
and was re-elected in 1887, and is the present 
incumbent of the office. Aside from the 
duties of his office, he devotes considerable 
time to auctioneering, his circuit extending 
over six counties. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory 
have twu sons — J. Howe and Ira Wade. Mr. 
Mallory is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also 
a member of the I. O. O. F., of which he is 
a charter member. He is an active and 
public-spirited man, deeply interested in the 
progress and welfare of the community. 

g - I"; . g 4>^ 



iIIARLES BAGLEY, attorney at law, 
and dealer in real estate and loans, 
Audubon, Iow;i, was born near West 
Liberty, Iowa, May 29, 1854. He is the 
fourth of ten children, all of whom are living 
and residents of the State of Iowa. His 
father, William A. liagley, was a native of 
Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation, and is 
now a resident of Cass County, Iowa, living 
on the farm to which he came in 1873. His 
mother, Lucretia Burgan Bagley, was also a 
native of Ohio. After their marriage his 
parents settled on a farm in Muscatine 
County, Iowa; thence they removed to Cass 



BIUORAPUWAL SKETCHES. 



720 



County. Charles Bagley was a mere lad 
wlieii his parents went to Muscatine County, 
where he grew to manhood. His primary 
education was received in the district school; 
he afterward attended a select school, and 
then entered the State University at Iowa 
City, where he pursued his studies for two 
years. He then entered the law department 
of the same school, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1881. In 1882 he came to Audu- 
bon, and opened a law oflice, devoting his 
time to his profession in connection with 
real estate, loans, collections and insurance. 
Mr. Bagley was united in marriage in Octo- 
ber, 1888, to Miss Amanda Williams, of 
Audubon, Iowa, a daughter of Sarah Will- 
iams. Her father died when she was a little 
girl; she was boru in the State of Indiana. 
Charles Bagley was elected mayor of Audu- 
bon, Iowa, in March, 1886, and re-elected in 
1887, and has served two terms. 




IILLIAM H. SCOTT is a member of 
,, y,;, J| the tirm of Scott Brothers, under- 
l'-©^^ takers, and dealers in furniture, Au- 
dubon, Iowa. This business was established 
by Horace Prentice, W. II. Scott becoming 
his agent for the first year. At the end of 
that time Mr. Scott bought a half-interest in 
the business, and the firm continued for sev- 
eral years. In 1884 Walter R. Scott, brother 
tu William H. Scott, purchased the half- 
interest of Mr. Prentice, and the firm changed 
to Scott Brothers. The business was con- 
tinued at the old stand, Scott Brothers own- 
ing the building. They purchase their sup- 
plies directly from eastern factories, and are 
well known and established in the business. 
William II. Scott was born in Warren 
County, New York, May 11, 1847. lie is 
the oldest son of Robert and Eliza (Ilodgin) 



Scott. The father was a Highland Scotchman, 
and the mother was a native of Saint Law- 
rence County, New York, both her father 
and mother being of Scotch descent. They 
were the parents of six children, three of 
whom survive. The father died in 1874, in 
his fifty-eighth year; the mother isstill living, 
and is a resident of Audubon, Iowa. The 
boyhood of William H. Scott was passed in 
his native State, where he grew to manhood. 
He began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade 
at the age of eighteen, and served an appren- 
ticeship of two years, when the firm with 
which he was employed tailed. He then 
went to Greenwich, Washington County, 
New York, where he worked at his ti-ade,and 
afterward worked in Troy, New York. In 
May, 1876, he came to Mechanicsville, Cedar 
County, Iowa, where he Remained for two 
years. In the fall of 1878 he came to Au- 
dubon as agent for Mr. Prentice, as before 
stated. In October, 1868, Mr. Scott was 
married to Miss Miriam W. Tefft, of Saratoga 
County, New York, a daughter of John H. 
and Mary E. (Sherman) Teft't. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scott have one adopted daughter — Katie. 
Mr. Scott has been a member of the council 
since the incorporation of the town. He is a 
member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & 
A. M.; Amity Ciiapter, No. 93, and Godfrey 
Commandery, No. 44. lie has served as a 
delegate to the Grand Lodge. 



►JwJ-. 



INCENT A. WALKUP, Superintend- 
ent of the Audubon County Poor Farm, 
took charge of this institution in 1888. 
The farm consists of 200 acres, formerly be- 
longing to Michael O'Donnell, and was pur- 
chased by Audubon County for $7,000. It 
is situated one and a half miles south of the 
county seat, on the Bluegrass Creek. Tiiere 



780 



HItiTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



is a beautiful natural grove on the i'arin, west 
of the house and barn, which affords fine 
shade in the summer and serves as a wind- 
break in the winter, besides adding very ma- 
terially to the attractiveness of the place. 
Mr. Walkup was born in the State of Ken- 
tucky, January 8, 1844. lie is a son of John 
and Nancy (West) Walkup, natives of Scot- 
land. Ills mother was well educated and 
taught many terms of school in the South. 
She died in 1865. After the death of the 
mother, the father and family removed to 
Iowa and settled on a farm near AVinterset, 
Madison County. Here the fatiier passed 
the remainder of his days. He died in Feb- 
ruary, 1879. He was reared on a farm, and 
at the age of nineteen entered the Union 
army, Company L, Thirteenth Kentucky 
Cavalry, and went to the defense of his 
country. He took part in many skirmislies, 
and scoured a large territory. He was taken 
prisoner November 17, 186B, at Columbus, 
Kentucky, and was paroled several days after- 
ward. He never lost a day when in active 
service, and was honorably discharged Jan- 
uary 25, 1865. He removed to Madison 
County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near 
St. Charles, where he lived several years. In 
the spring of 1881 he came to Audubon and 
resided here six years. He built the first 
steam flour- mill in Audubon, which he kept 
running for some time, but it was not a pay- 
ing investment, and he retired from the 
business and took charge of the water-works, 
lie was appointed city marshal, in which 
capacity he served three years. Mr. Walkup 
was then appointed superintendent of the 
poor farm, a position he is well fitted to 
till. Mr. Walkup was married in 1865 to 
Miss Ann Kinnaird,of Kentucky, a daughter 
of Joseph Kinnaird, a prominent farmer of 
that State. Tliey are the parents of si.x chil- 
dren — Robert A., Cornelia, wife of Samuel 



Fisher; Alexander, Joseph, Mack and Sylves- 
ter. Mr. Walkup is a member of Veritas 
Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., of the I. O. 
O. F., of the Knights of Pythias, and of the 
G. A. R., Allison Post. 



.^ 



-'■'?" S -„V- 



s)^ 




ROF. CHARLES F. WILLCUTT, Super- 
intendentof the AuduboiiCounty schools, 
was born in Franklin County, Massacliu- 

1 setts, August 26, 1841. He is the oldest son 
of George and Martiaette (Stanley) Wilicutt, 
both natives of Massachusetts. George Will- 

, cntt was a farmer by occupation, and when 
his son Charles was four years old he removed 
with his family to Portage County, Oliio, in 
the t^ectiDU wiiich is now known as the West- 
ern Reserve. The father died in 1852, his 
wife and tiiree cliildren surviving him. The 
mother ot our subject was the daughter of 
Phineas Stanley, of English descent, three 
generations having been born in America. 
The great-grandfather of Charles Wilicutt, 
Zebedee Wilicutt, was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war. The Willcutts were of Encf- 
lisli descent. Charles F. passed his boyhood 
in Portage County, Ohio, attending tlie dis- 
trict school until his thirteenth year, during 
that time losing only two days. Tiie lather 
dying ab(jut that time, the mother removed 
to Hiram, (31)io. There Charles entered what 
was called then the Western Reserve Eclectic 
Institute, which is now Hiram College. Here 
he pursued his studies four years, working on 
the farm during his vacations. At the age 
of seventeen years he began teaching school, 
boarding around among the pupils, thus earn- 
ing money in the winter to p.'iy scliooling 
during the spring and fall terms at the Ec- 
lectic Institute. Thus he passed four more 
years of life. At the age of twenty-three 
years he removed to Sangamon County, Illi- 



BIOGRAPHICAL HKETCUEti. 



731 



iiois, and there engaged in teaching three 
years. Here he was married to Miss Amelia 
B. Mason, a native of New York, and a 
daughter of Dr. Milton Mason. In 1867 he 
was elected principal of the third ward school 
in Springlield, Illinois, a position which he 
held for a period of eight years. After leaving 
Springfield he taught six years in Illinois. In 
188 i Mr. Willcutt came to Exira and taught 
two terms of school. In 1883 he was elected 
to the otlico of county superintendent, a posi- 
tion he still holds, being re-elected on the 
Kepublican ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Willcutt 
are the parents of four children — George B., 
Jessie L., wife of Julius Herrick; Maud and 
Paul B. Mr. Willcutt has devoted the greater 
part of his active life to the profession of teach- 
ing, a profession than which there is none 
higher. 



^IIARLES II. AVEEKS, deceased, was 
an old resident of Jones County, Iowa, 
who was born in the State of New 
York, November 22, 1883. His parents, 
Jacob K. and Hopey Weeks, removed to Iowa 
when he was a mere boy; here he grew to 
manhood, attending school in the winter, and 
workinfjr on his father's farm in the summer 
He acquired a good knowledge of the branches 
taught in the district schools of that day; 
he remained with his parents until he reached 
his majority. lie was married November 
27, 1858, to Miss Martha J. Ferguson, the 
second daughter of Hans and Margaret 
(Shields) Ferguson, who was born and reared 
in the State of Pennsylvania. After her mar- 
riage to Mr. Weeks they settled on a farm in 
Jones County, Iowa, where they lived until 
the death of Mr. Weeks, which occurred in 
187-4. Mrs. Weeks was thus left with four 
children, two sons and two daughters — -Mary 



E., wife of J. II. Jones, of Audubon County; 
Fred II., who is at home and has the man- 
agement of the farm; Victor C, who assists 
on the farm, and Maggie May. After the 
death of her husband Mrs. Weeks removed 
with her family to the farm of her brother, 
David Ferguson, where she has since resided. 
The farm contains 160 acres of well-im- 
proved land, and she with the help of her two 
sons, carries on the farm work successfully; 
they have the ])lace stocked with high grade 
cattle, hoirs and Iwrses. 



ERNAKD CUNNLNGHAM, an active 
farmer of Leroy Township, Audubon 
County, was born in Ireland in the 
County of Donegal. When he was eighteen 
years of age he emigrated to America, land- 
ing in New York City. He worked at various 
trades in New York and New Jersey until 
1861. In April of that year he drifted west- 
ward to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he 
engaged in farming until 1869, when he re- 
moved to Jasper County, Iowa. Here he 
settled on a farm of 160 acres in Synngrove 
Township. He paid $8 per acre, and during 
his residence made so many valuable improve- 
ments that he sold the place for $27 j)er 
acre. In October, 1882, Mr. Cunningham 
came to Audubon County and purchased 200 
acres of improved land in Lincoln Township. 
In 1882 he bought his present home place in 
Leroy Township, containing 105 acres of 
well-improved land. He has erected a good 
residence on this place. He has followed 
general farming, making a s[)ecialty of high 
grades of stock. Mr. Cunningham has been 
particularly successful as a corn grower. He 
owns some town lots in Manilla. Mr. Cun- 
ningham was united in marriage in 1868, to 
Miss Anna English, of Newark, New Jersey, 



b 



733 



UJSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



She is a native of Ireland and catne to this 
country when she was eleven years old. She 
is a daughter of Michael and Mary (Brady) 
English, who died in New Jersey. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cunningham have five children — James, 
Mary A., John B., Frank L. and William. 
Our subject had but $5 when he came to this 
country; but he had, what is sometimes bet- 
ter than money, pluck and energy. He votes 
the Democratic ticket, having become natu- 
ralized in 1861. His parents, Timothy and 
Hannah (McLaughlan) Cunningham, died in 
Ireland. 



■«|->^— 




I^^ICHAEL K. GIFFOKD, a retired 
farmer of Audubon County, Iowa, 
was born in Morgan County, Ohio, 
near Pennsville, a small Quaker village, 
October 1, 1824. His grandfather, Abraham 
Giftbrd, was born in the State of Maine, and 
removed to Ohio in 1816, and settled near 
Marietta, Ohio. He was of English ancestry, 
and for many years was a sailor on a whaling 
vessel. The father of our subject was xVlex- 
ander M. Gifibrd, also a native of Maine, 
born March 13, 1800. He was a farmer by 
occupation, and died November 16, 1884. He 
was married to Miss Isabel King, who died 
June 19, 1842, a daughter of Michael King, 
of English ancestry and Quaker stock. Mr. 
King was among the early settlers of Guern- 
sey County, Ohio, and built the first grist- 
mill in that part of the country. Isabel King 
Gifford was born July 28, 1802, in Guernsey 
County, Ohio. Michael K. passed his early 
boyhood in Morgan County, Ohio. Wlien 
lie was twelve years of age his parents re- 
moved to Noble County, Indiana, where he 
grew to manhood. The family continued 
their residence in Noble County until 1854, 
when they all removed to Cedar County, 



Iowa. There the parents settled permanently 
and passed the remainder of their days. Mr. 
Gilford was married May 7, 1848, to Miss 
Mary Ann Carman, of Allen County, Indiana. 
After his marriage Mr. Gilford settled in 
Noble County, but in 1854 removed with 
the family to Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming in Cedar County until October, 1873. 
He then moved to Jasper Count}', remaining 
five years; thence to Pottawattamie County, 
remaining one year. In April, 1880, he 
moved to Audubon County and settled on 
160 acres of land, for which he paid $13 per 
acre. He lived on this place and improved 
it until 1886, when he sold the farm for $25 
per acre, cash in hand, since which time he 
has not been actively engaged in business. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gifford are the parents of seven 
children, six of whom lived to maturity — 
Almira was born October 27, 1849, wife of 
Samuel T. Lambert; John W., born July 21, 
1851; CharlepC.,bornJuly 16, 1854; Mary, 
born October 27, 1857, wife of Wesley lines; 
Martha, born May 6, 1860, wife of Joseph 
Bottenfield; Jason A., born August 9, 1862 
and one child that died in infancy. When 
living in Cedar County, Iowa, Mr. Gilford 
held the office of justice of the peace for two 
terms. He is a member of the Wesleyan M. 
church, and was ordained in 1859, Junius 
A. Preston officiating. Mrs. Gilford was 
born in Steuben County, New York, May 6, 
1829. She was the daughter of Charles C. 
and Eliza Ann Carman. 



AVID FERGUSON, deceased, was acit. 
izen of Leroy Township, one of its early 
settlers, higldy esteemed, and widel}' 
and favorably known, not only in Audubon 
County but in adjoining counties. Mr. Fer- 
guson was born in the State of Pennsylvania, 



BIOGRArniCAL SKBTCHES. 



733 



Indiana County, Jamiary 26, 1832. His par- 
ents were Hans and Margaret (Shields) Fer- 
guson, both natives of Pennsylvania. Hans 
Ferguson, the father of our subject, was a 
fanner by occupation; he followed this pur- 
suit until his death, which occurred in early 
life. His wife, Margaret Ferguson, who 
survive.s him still, resides in Cedar County, 
Iowa, to which place she moved with 
her family in 1857; she is the mother of 
eleven chiklren, nine of whom are living; she 
is now in hfr eightv-third vi'ar, and iu reason- 
ably good health. David Ferguson moved to 
Cedar County with his mother, and in 1876 
came to Audubon County, and purchased the 
farm now occupied by his sister, Mrs. Charles 
PI. Weeks. The farm at the time of pur- 
chase contained 120 acres without improve- 
ments. He broke the land, built a good 
residence, barn and other buildings necessary 
to carry on successful farming. The place is 
situated on the east bank of the Nishnabotna 
liiver. Mr. Ferguson planted numerous trees 
whicii serve not only as a wind-break, but add 
very much to the appearance of the place. 
After a successful career, David P^erguson died, 
August 7, 1885; and thus passed away one 
of Audubon's honored and beloved citizens. 
His funeral was the largest ever occurring in 
the county. He had never married and Mrs. 
Weeks had been his housekeeper for many 
years before his death; he had deeded his 
farm to her before his death. He had not 
only been an honored citizen, but he iiad as- 
sisted in tlie defense of his country, serving 
her faithlully for three years. He was a 
member of Company H, Thirty-fifth Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the 
western army. He took part in the Red 
Iliver campaign under TJanks's command; in 
the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, under 
(ieneral Thomas; and was wounded in a bat- 
tle in Mississippi; he also took part in the 



battle of Pleasant Hill, the siege of Vicks- 
burg, and other important engagements. Iu 
July, 1865, he was honorably discharged at 
Muscatine, Iowa. He was a member of Al- 
lison Post, No. 34, G. A. R. 

~>-., ? . ; ,. ; . ? ..-^ 

1*1 ■* " (» 



AMUEL JORDAN, an euturprising 
farmer of Viola Township, vv;is born in 
Fermanagh, Ireland, October 13, 1831, 
He is the twelfth of a family of fourteen 
children of John and Elizabeth Jordan. His 
father was a modest farmer in his native land, 
in which country both his parents died. 
Samuel was reared to the life of a farmer, 
and received his education in the common 
schools. Arriving at the age of twenty years, 
he made a voyage to Australia, and there 
worked in the gold fields, being quite suc- 
cessful. He remained there nine years, dur- 
ing the time making one visit to Ireland. 
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Jordan came to the 
United States, landing in the city of New 
York; thence he went to Nova Scotia, and 
visited a brother living there. lie returned 
to New York, and thence proceeded to Rock 
Island County, Illinois. He remained there, 
engaged in farming until 1868; in November 
of that year he removed to Poweshiek County, 
Iowa, and settled on a farm which he im- 
proved. In the fall of 1880 he sold this 
place, and in March, 1881, he came to Audu- 
bon County and settled on his present farm; 
there were then only eighty acres in the 
place, but Mr. Jordan has added to it, until 
there are now 200 iicres. He devotes him- 
self to farming and stock-raising. In No- 
vember, 1853, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Jordan and Miss Alice Worrcl, a native of 
Ireland, and a daughter of William Worrel, 
Esq. By this marriage eight children were 
liorn, seven of whom arc living —Joshua; 



734 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY.* 



Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Johnson; Ann J., 
wife of Robert Smith; William J., Thomas 
C, Sainnel K. and Alice Beatrice. In Na- 
tional and State matters Mr. Jordan votes 
the Republican ticket; in local afiairs he 
votes for the best man for the place. He 
has a good, comfortable home, barns and 
cribs, and is well fixed in this world's goods. 
He is energetic, honorable in his dealing, and 
is numbered among the best of Yiola Town- 
ship's farmers. 



~.. .^ . !m; . ^ «^-^ 

I AMUEL HAYS was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pennsylvania, November 
28, 1844, and is the son of Fred and 
Mary (Uobins) Hays, natives of the State of 
Pennsylvania. When Samuel was eighteen 
months old his parents removed to Rock 
Island County, Illinois. There he passed his 
early youth, being reared to the occupation 
of a farmer. He obtained his education in 
the district schools and the graded schools of 
Cordova. He was entering his second term 
in the latter place when he enlisted in the 
United States service in the Fifteenth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, Company D. After si.K 
months he was honorably discharged, and re- 
turned to Rock Island County, and remained 
there until 1867, engaged in farming during 
the summer season and in teaching school in 
the winter. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Hays 
came to Iowa, and for several years he was 
occupied in teaching in the winter season, 
and working at the carpenter's trade and at 
the shoemaker's trade during the rest of the 
year. For three years after coming to the 
State he made his home in Henry County, 
after which he removed to Marshall County, 
remaining there four years. He was married 
September 6, 1872, to Miss Ellen L. Clark, 
daughter of C. C. and Pha-be A. (Rodgers) 



Clark, who was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, 
July 17, 1854. They are the parents of nine 
children — Frew L., Maud A., Willie A., 
Gabriel C, Samuel E., Miles F., James A., 
Mary M. and Alice L., all at home. In 1875 
Mr. Hays removed his family to Andubon 
County, and settled on a farm of eighty acres 
in Greeley Township, which was then wild 
prairie laud. He has added eighty acres to 
his first purchase, and has made many valua- 
ble improvements, erecting a good frame 
residence, and barns for stock and grain. He 
affiliates with the Democratic party, bnt votes 
for the man that he judges best qualified to 
fill the position. He takes an active interest 
in the political affairs of the county, and has 
filled most of the township offices. He is a 
member of the K. of L. 



-jMf- 



fRANK M. PIENSLEY, an enterprising 
farmer of Greeley Township, Audubon 
County, is the seventh child of J. J. and 
Martha J. (Popejay) Ilensley. He was born 
in Polk County, August 31, 1858, and passed 
his early childhood in his native place. When 
he was ten years of <ige his parents removed 
to Jasper County, where thej' resided three 
years. In 1871 they came to Audubon 
County and settled in Exira Township; there 
he was reared to the occupation of a farmer, 
and attended the common schools. In the 
year 1887 lie took a trip through the west to 
California, and remained one year. He re- 
turned to his old home in January, 1888, and 
entered into the mercantile business, follow- 
ing the same for one year, but finding in-door 
life did not agree with his health retired to 
his farm in January, 1889. April 11, 1888, 
he was united in marriage to Ella, daughter 
of Perry and Barbara Parrott; she was born 
in Dubuque County, Iowa, April 10, 1866. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



735 



Mr. and Mrs. Heusley are the parents of one 
child— John J., born February 25, 1889. In 
.Tanuarv, 1889, Mr. Hensley moved to liis 
present home, a farm of eighty acres, in section 
19, Greeley Township, which he has owned 
since 1882; the land was raw prairie when it 
came into his possession, but has been con- 
verted into one of the finest farms in that part 
of the county. He also owns eighty acres in 
section 20, Greeley Township. lie has a fine 
frame residence on his home farm, and has 
made numerous other valuable improvements. 
Mr. Hensley devotes himself to farming and 
stock-raising exclusively ; he is one of the live, 
energetic farmers in the county, and enjoys 
the- esteem and respect of a wide circle of 
friends. Politically he is a staunch supporter 
of the issues of the Democratic party. He 
has served as township assessor. 

— ^. . ,g .3..;.|^ — 



fUDGE ARTHUR L. SANBORN is a 
native of the State of New Hampshire 
born in the town of New Hampton, No- 
vember 7, 1842. Ilis father, Caleb M. San- 
born, was of the thirteenth generation of an 
English family who were among the first 
English settlers of New Hampshire. The 
mother of Arthur L. was a Miss Nancy 
Quinly, daughter of James Quinly, who was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and held 
a Captain's commission. Arthur L. Sanborn 
is the youngest of sixteen children, ten of 
wliom lived to maturity. He remained in his 
native county until he was fifteen years old, 
when he went to Massachusetts, and went to 
work in a sash, door and blind factory, in 
which employment he continued until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, when he en- 
listed, August 14, 1801, in the First New 
Hampshire Cavalry; he served his country 
faithfully until July 19, 1865, when he was 



mustered out of the service as Quartermaster- 
Sergeant. He returned to New Hampshire, 
and soon after went to Chicago, and worked 
there one year with J. H. Reed ik. Co., whole- 
sale druggists. He then went to Carroll 
County, Illinois, and in 1868 he came to 
Audubon County, stopping in Viola Town- 
ship and opening up a new farm; he remained 
there eight years, and his daughter Viola was 
the first child born in the township. He left 
the farm and spent six months in Exira, and 
then went to Washington County, Iowa, re- 
turning to Audubon County in 1878. He 
was appointed postmaster of Audubon, re- 
ceiving a commission from 1879 to 1883; at 
the expiration of his commission he was suc- 
ceeded by E. H. Kimball. On retiring from 
the postoflice he went to Manning, Iowa, and 
there engaged in the drug trade with Cloughly 
Brothers. In 1888 he returned to Audubon, 
still in the employ of the Cloughly Brothers, 
as clerk, a position he now holds. Mr. San- 
born was united in marriage December 24, 
1867, to Mary Cameron, a daughter of Allen 
and Catherine Cameron, and a sister of John 
Cameron. Seven cliildren have been born to 
this union — Arthur C, Donald O., Herbert, 
Viola E., the wife of E. E. Dutt, and Mabel ; 
two died in infancy. Mr. Sanborn is a mem- 
ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392. A. F. & A. 
M., being first junior warden of the same. 
He is a member of Allison Post, No. 134, G. 
A. R. Politically he is a staunch Republican. 



II^^ICHARD GAULT, a farmer and ex- 
tensive stock-shipper, of Exira Town- 
ship, was born in the City of Brotherly 
Love, August 21, 1834. He is the fourth of 
a family of six children of Francis and Deb- 
orah (Stewart) Gault, the father being from 
the north of Ireland, and the mother a native 



736 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY.' 



of Aberdeen, Scotland. The parents of Rich- 
ard Gault removed from Philadelphia to Wis- 
consin, and remained there two years. In 
1853 they settled in Appanoose County, and 
in 1854 they moved to Audubon County, 
Iowa, and settled on a farm near Exira; there 
the fatlier died in 1871, and the mother in 
1868. The subject of this notice passed his 
early boyhood in his native city, receiving 
the advantages of a city-school education. 
After leaving school he learned the cutlery 
trade, working at it three and a half years. 
AVhen his parents removed to Wisconsin he 
accompanied them, but when they went to 
luwa he remained behind until they were en- 
tirely settled in the new home. May 1,1860, 
Mr. (rault married Mary L. Ilerrick, the 
daughter of Alvin and Pauline Herrick, who 
■were early settlers of the county. She was 
born in the State of Massachusetts. By this 
union six children were born — Henry F., 
Augusta C, Mildred A., wife of John B. 
Hash, a merchant of Exira; Charles, Caroline 
and Anna B., the three latter being at home. 
Mr. Gault's present home farm, which he se- 
cured in 1858, contains 360 acres, near the 
waters of the Nishnabotna Piver; here he has 
erected a good residence, barns and sheds for 
the protection of cattle and live-stock. He 
also has another good farm in (ireeley Town- 
ship, which is well stocked. Every winter 
he feeds about two car-loads of cattle, and 
now has 175 head on his two farms. He is 
a practical farmer, and is well known through- 
out the county as a large dealer in live-stock. 
He has been politically identified with his 
county; first, as deputy treasurer under Na- 
thaniel Hamlin; then as county clerk, a 
position he held four years, from 1858 to 1862, 
Mr. Gault commenced his career without any 
capital in gold or silver; but energy and 
diligence and devotion to one purpose are 
sometimes a better capital. With these he 



has succeeded, and to-day is the owner of a 
valuable estate. 



^ORACE M. BARTLETT, operator and 
station agent for the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad, at Brayton, 
Iowa, is the youngest son of W. and Martha 
E. (Cuppy) Bartlett, who were early settlers 
of Audubon County, Iowa. He was born at 
the old homestead, on the hill overlooking 
the villages of Brayton and Oakfield, Novem- 
ber 9, 1865. His boyhood was passed on 
his father's farm, and his first lessons were 
learned in the district school. He was taught 
the details of farm work, but did not con- 
tinue the occupation. After spending three 
months in the Exira High School Mr. Bart- 
lett began the study of telegraphy, February 
14, 1882, under the direction of J. M. Rey- 
nolds, then agent for the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad at Brayton. He 
continued his studies for six weeks; at theex- 
piration of that time he was promoted to act- 
ing agent by Superintendent Royce, whicii 
position beheld for two years, Mr. Reynolds 
desiring to retire. Mr. Bartlett was the young- 
est agent ever appointed on the Rock Island 
Railroad, he being but sixteen years old. Mr. 
Bartlett proving himself an efficient man, he 
has filled this position acceptably ever since, 
with the exception of a short time spent in 
the west. He took a trip to the mountains, 
through Colorado, and on his return assisted 
in different stations as extra agent, in which 
such help was required. After taking a sec- 
ond trip through the west he returned to 
Brayton, and in 1886 he was made perma- 
nent agent, a position which he still fills 
with much credit to himself and the entire 
satisfaction of the railroad company. March 
31, 1887, Mr. Hartlett was united in marriage 



BIOGRAPniGAL SK ETCHES. 



737 



to Jeanette Jenkins, daughter of Jolin T. and 
Dartbula Jenkins. They have liad born to 
them one daughter — -Mildred. Mr. Bartlett 
owns some farm hind, which is well stocked 
with cattle and hogs. June 4, 1889, he re- 
ceived the appointment as postmaster at 
Brayton. 



fAMES WILLOX has been a resident of 
Audubon County since 1878. He was 
born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, August 
22, 1852, and received his education in the 
common schools of his native country. lie 
left school at the age of thirteen and entered 
a dry-goods store, in which he was employed 
as clerk for six years. He then emigrated to 
America, landing at Portland, Maine. Thence 
he proceeded at once to Lake Forest, near 
Chicago, and clerked there for one year. He 
next went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he 
spent four months. The following four mouths 
were passed in Kansas City, Missouri. He 
went on to Georgetown, Colorado, and worked 
there in the mines two years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he returned to Lake Forest, 
and clerked there for two years. In the fall 
of 1878 he came to Audubon County, Iowa, 
as before stated. His first business was that 
of handling grain at the Exira station, which 
he continued until the spring of 1888. He 
then sold out and went on his farm, one and 
one-half miles west of Exira. This place 
contains 320 acres, eighty of which are tim- 
ber. Tlie greater part of the balance is in 
pasture, which he uses for feeding cattle for 
his own market, having bought the meat 
market of I. Hunt in the spring of 1889. 
Mr. Willox has a good two-story residence on 
his farm, a wind pump and tanks, besides 
many other improvements. He was married 
in 1880 to Miss Nettie F. Cooper, a native 



of the State of Maine, and a daujrhter of 
Andrew Cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Willox have 
four children — Edna, Maud, Bessie and Mag- 
gie. Mr. Willox served one term as member 
of the city council of P^xira. On his arrival 
in America he had but $50, which was dis- 
counted when exchanged. He has been suc- 
cessful in all his undertakings, and is one of 
the reliable men of Audubon County. 



HAllLES SMITH, a thriving agricult- 
iWlvli "'''^'' ^^ Hamlin Township, was born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 10, 
1851, and is the oldest livitig son of Adam 
and Frederika Smith, who emigrated to Amer- 
ica when Charles was five years of age. They 
landed in the city of New York, and after 
stopping there a short time they proceeded 
to Carroll County, Illinois, and there settled 
on a farm, where the father died March 26, 
1882. His wife, who survives him, is living 
on the old homestead in Carroll County, Illi- 
nois. Of her eight children four are living. 
Charles Smith spent his youth in Cari'oll 
County, Illinois, attending the district school 
during the winters, and assisting his father 
on the farm during the summers. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until iiis 
twenty-third year, when he began farming 
on his own account, in which he was fairly 
successful. He remained in Carroll County 
until 1882, when he came to Audubon County 
and invested in 120 acres of land, upon which 
he has made many valuable improvements. 
Formerly Mr. Smith followed general farm- 
ing, but of late years he has turned his atten- 
tion to stock-raising and feeding, and has 
been very i)rosperous in this department of 
agriculture. Charles Smitii was united in 
marriage to Dora Dahler, of Carroll County, 
Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Lizzie 



738 



HISTORY OF AUDliBON COUNTY.* 



Daliler, both natives of Germany. Five cliil- 
dren have been born of this union — Lewis? 
Adam, Louisa, Clara and Lena. ilr. Smith 
has served as townsliip trustee, and takes an 
active interest in the success of the Demo- 
cratic party. He began his career on the 
bottom round of the ladder, and while he has 
liad liis nps and downs, he has succeeded 
well, and to-day holds an enviable position 
among Audubon County farmers. 



|g.■^IRAM W. VAN GORDER, proprietor 
of the Audubon Marble Works, estab- 
lished this business in 1882. He was 
born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, April 
6, 1853, and is the j'oungest of nine children 
of Simon and Jane (Fisk) Van Gorder. The 
mother was born in Delaware County, New 
York, and the father is a native of Ulster 
County, New York. In early life they re- 
moved to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 
where the mother died, and the father is still 
living on the old homestead, in his ninetieth 
year, having been born July 21, 1799. Hiram 
W. passed his youth on the farm, receiving a 
common-school education. At the age of 
eighteen years he went to Elmira, New York, 
to learn the marble-cutter's trade, working 
there three years as an apprentice, and two 
years as a journeyman. He drifted west in 
1878, stopping at Audubon. There he was 
employed by his bi other, Charles Van Gorder, 
as assistant in tlie bank for two years. At 
the expiration of this period he returned to 
Elmira, New York, and was engaged as a 
letter-carrier in the United States mail 
service. Returning to Audubon in 1882, he 
opened the marble business, his shop being 
the Wrst in the town. The trade is active 
during the summer luonlhs, but is more or 
less quiet in the winter season. Mr. Van 



Gorder is a practical cutter and a fine work- 
man, doing all kinds of marble-cutting. His 
sales reach over this and into adjoining 
counties. On November 15, 1882, occurred 
the , marriage of Hiram W. Van Gorder and 
Miss Elizabeth Denuiston, a native of Ohio, 
and a daugliter of Joseph L. Denniston, Esq. 
They are the parents of one child — Helen 
Irene. Mr. Van Gorder is a member of Ver- 
itas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., and of 
Amity Chajiter, No. 93. He is also a mem- 
ber of St. Omar Commandery, No. 19, at 
Elmira, New York. 

r«) , . « 



fELSON L. MOREY, a farmer of Leroy 
Township, was born in North Adams, 
Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Feb- 
ruary 16, 1836. His father was Samuel 
Morey, a native of Rhode Island. He was a 
shoemaker in early life, but later emigrated 
to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and engaged in 
farming. The mother was Orvilla Hold- 
ridge, a native of the State of Massachusetts, 
and the mother of twelve children, ten of 
whom lived to maturity. Milton L. was a 
child when his parents removed to Ohio. 
The trip was made via the lakes and canal, 
the country being then a dense forest. The 
new home was a truly pioneer one, having no 
conveniences and scarcely the necessities. 
The school-house in which our subject re- 
ceived his first lessons was tiie typical log 
house of that day. He passed his youth on 
the farm with his parents, assisting in clear- 
ing out the farm. At the age of twenty-one 
years he came to Iowa and settled in Clinton 
Coujity, where he worked on a farm by the 
month for three years. He then returned to 
his old home in Ohio, where he engaged in 
farming for some years. In 1808 Mr. Morey 
was married to Julia A., tlaughtur of Martin 



BIOORA PRIG A L S KETCJfKS. 



739 



Qnakenbusli, a Canadian by birtli. Mrs. 
Morey was born in the State of New York, 
near Troy. After his marriage Mr. Morey 
remained in Ohio for seven years, and tlien 
returned to Iowa, renting a farm in Clin- 
ton County; here he remained until 1878, 
when he came to Audubon County, and 
bought 160 acres of raw prairie in Leroy 
Township. Mr. Morey has made many val- 
uable improvements, and is a successful 
farmer — paying special attention to the rais- 
ing of live-stock. Samuel Morey, the fatlier 
of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and was a iifer in the battle of Sackett's 
Harbor. He dropped dead of heart disease. 
Mrs. Morey's mother was Lucy Leed; her 
father died in the war of the Revolution. 



^WEN F. IDE, Postmaster at Brayton, 
Iowa, was born in Guernsey County, 
Ohio, May 7, 1861. He is the son of 
Ehenezer and Erneline (McKenna) Ide. His 
father was born in Ilehoboth, Massachusetts, 
in 1794, and during the war of 1812 he was 
the Captain of a Massachusetts company. 
He emigrated to Ohio and settled in Cam- 
bridge, in which place he was a Baptist min- 
ister for many years. He died at Fairview, 
Oliio, in 1864. His wife survived him four 
years. After her death Owen F. made his 
liome with his aunt, Mrs. Harriet Fowler. 
In October, 1874, he removed with his aunt 
to Audubon County, Iowa, and then went to 
live with Oliver Smith, with whom he made 
his home for fourteen years. During this 
time he took a course at the Agricultural 
College at Ames, Iowa, being a member of 
the class of 1885. On leaving college he re- 
turned to Mr. Smith's, and euirai'ed in farm- 
iiig for three years. In July, 1886, he formed 
a partnership with J. M. Reynolds in the 



general dry-goods business, under the firm- 
name of Reynolds & Ide. In October of the 
same year Mr. Ide was apjjointed postmaster 
at Brayton under Grover Cleveland's admin- 
istration. He is an efficient and faithful 
officer, and in connection with the office is 
doing a profitable business. Mr. Ide was 
married December 24, 1885, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Cotton, the oldest daughter of George 
and Mary Cotton, of Brayton, Iowa. They 
have one daughter — Bessie. A nephew of 
Mr. Ide's was educated at Heidelberir, Ger- 
many, and is now Professor of Languages at 
Cornell University, New York. Mr. Lie 
taught two terms of school after comin'T to 
the county. He began his career without 
means, but a well disciplined mind has done 
him good service, and to-day he is one of the 
reliable and highly respected citizens of the 
county. 



vm 



If^fflJ^LIAM E. DAVIS, of Exira 
I Township, was born in Wales, in the 
"S^ village of Merther, May 28, 1839. 
When he was five years old his parents emi- 
grated to the United States, and settled in 
Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylva- 
nia. His father, David Davis, was a miner 
by occupation, and followed this callinf the 
greater part of the tiinu after he came to 
America. Later in life, however, he removed 
to Truml)ull County, Ohio, and there died in 
1861. His wife, Lucy (Todd) Davis, died in 
Minersville in 1852; she was the mother of 
nine children, only three of whom survive. 
William E. was the second child, and he 
attended the winter schools of Minersville 
until he was fourteen vears old. At the a^e 
of ten years he began working in the mines, 
and when he had reached his sixteenth year lie 
made a regular hand. He continued this 



740 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY* 



occupation until he was forty years of age. 
Mr. Davis was first united in marriage to 
Martha, daughter of Jolin James, of Trum- 
bull County, Ohio. Two children were the 
result of this union, one of whom is living — 
David. In 1864 Mr. Davis entered the 
Union army, enlisting in Company D, One 
Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. He was sent to guard Johnson's 
Island, and later was taken prisoner at Cyn- 
thiana, Kentucky. He was held for thirty-six 
hours, when he was paroled and ordered to 
Camp Denison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
was there exchanged and ordered back to 
Johnson's Island. He served the full term 
of his enlistment, and was mustered out of 
the service in August, 1864. He then re- 
turned to Trumbull County, and thence went 
to Rock Island County, Illinois, and engaged 
in coal-mining for two years. He then went 
to Henry County, Illinois, and worked in the 
mines at Green River. In the spring of 1879 
removed his family to Audubon County, 
Iowa, having purchased eighty acres of wild 
land in 1872. Since then he has added 
to his first purchase until he owns 240 acres, 
which he has developed into a fine stock farm. 
He has been very successful in the feeding 
of cattle, and occasionally ships a car-load to 
eastern markets. Mr. Davis's second mar- 
riage occurred in 1864 to Mrs. Martha Evans, 
widow of Edward Evans, and daughter of 
Daniel Davis. Five children were the result 
of this union — Lucy, the wife of T. Thomas; 
William, Benjamin and Leona, at home; one 
died in infancy. By her first marriage Mrs. 
Davis had seven children, only one of whom 
is living — Elizabeth, wife of H. Hill. Mr. 
Davis has served a number of years as school 
director. In political matters he is rather 
conservative, but in State and National elec- 
tions he votes the Republican ticket. He 
began life without any cai>ital, but by dili- 



gence, hard work and economy he has accu- 
mulated a comfortable fortune. 



lOSS J. CREVELING, contractor and 
I builder, Audubon, Iowa, was born in 
Columbia County, Pennsylvania, No- 
vember 13, 1842. He is a son of Andrew 
S. and Theresa (Allegar) Creveling, both of 
whom were born and reared in Pennsylvania. 
The father was a farmer by occupation and 
lived in Columbia County until his death, 
which occurred in 1884. The mother has 
also passed into the other life. Ross J. spent 
his youth in his native county, being reared 
on a farm and receiving a common- school 
education. During the late civil war, in 
August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, Company F, and was assigned to 
the Army of the Potomac. He participated 
in the engai^ements of Chancelorsville, Get- 
tysburg, and the Wilderness; in the last- 
named battle he was wounded in the foot, 
and was so disabled that he was discharged 
in 1864, having served faithfully for two 
years. He then returned to his old home in 
Pennsylvania and went to work at the car- 
penter's trade. Mr. Creveling was married 
in September, 1860, to Miss Rebecca E. 
Brown, a native of Columbia County, Penn- 
sylvania, and a daughter of Matthew Brown, 
Es(|. Four children were born to this mar- 
i-iacre — Verge M., teacher; Theron B., grocery 
clerk; Ira M. and Lulu Grace. In 1872 
Mr. Creveling went west with his family and 
settled in Clayton County, Iowa, remaining 
there one year. He then removed to Noble 
County, Minnesota, and took up a homestead 
there. He was eaten out by the grasshoppers 
for two seasons, so he returned to Iowa and 
settled in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, 



BWOHAPnWAL SKETCHES. 



711 



where lie worked at his trade four years. In 
June, 1879, he removed to Audubon, which 
he has since made his liome. He has en- 
gaged in contracting and building, and has 
done a j^rofitable business. The family are 
all members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, Mr. Creveling being a trustee of the 
same. 

- ♦•' ^ • i"t ' ^" ' ■•' 



^I^EOKLV I. WHITTED, ex-County Sur- 
veyor, Exira, Iowa, was born in Maury 
County, Tennessee, in the town of Will- 
iamsport, February 29, 1832. William Whit- 
ted, the father of P. J. Whitted, removed from 
Virginia to North Carolina, and was there 
married to Miss Arrena Howard, a native of 
Orange County, North Carolina, and a daugh- 
ter of John Howard; she was born in 1796, 
and was the mother of thirteen children, eleven 
of whom lived to maturity. William Whit- 
ted and wife removed from North Carolina to 
Tennessee, and settled in Maury County, re- 
siding there until 1833, when they moved to 
Vigo County, Indiana; thence they went to 
Parke County, Indiana, and in 1838 they went 
to Vermillion County, Indiana. At this place 
the father engaged in packing pork; when 
going down the river lie was taken with yel- 
low fever and died; his wife late in life catne 
to Cass County, Iowa, and resided there until 
lier death, which occurred June 5, 18G2. 
Peoria, the subject, passed liis youth in Indi- 
ana, and attended the district school. In 1845 
tlie family removed to Keokuk County, Iowa, 
and here ho grew to manhood. He entered 
the Methodist College at Muscatine, Iowa, 
and here pursued his studies for two years. In 
1850 he went to Ottumwa, Iowa, and after- 
ward entered the printing office of the JJes 
Moines Courier; here he spent one year, then 
went on a government surveying e.xpedition 



to Santa Fe, New Mexico. After an absence 
of six months he returned to Iowa City, and 
then engaged in the survey of the railroad 
from Davenport to Iowa City; this is now the 
Rock Island Pailroad. In 1853 Mr. Whitted 
came to Audubon County, stopping at Ham- 
lin's Grove; at this time there were only six 
houses in the county. Mr. Whitted acted as 
land agent, and assisted in the laying out of 
Omaha, Nebraska. He was appointed organ- 
izing sherifi', and called the first election held 
in the county; this was in April, 1855, and 
the cabin of John S. Jenkins was the votino- 
place. On the first Monday of the following 
August a general election was held ; Mr. Whit- 
ted was a candidate lor county surveyor, and 
was elected; he soon after took charge of the 
office, and has held it for twenty-two years. 
After retiring from public office he continued 
the survey of private lands and roads. In the 
spring of 1857 he removed to Exira, and has 
since there made his home. Mr. Whitted was 
married February 28, 1860, to Miss Louisa 
C. Montgomery, of Exira, a daughter of L. 
I>. and Fannie (Boyls) Montgomery; Mrs. 
Whitted was born in Hancock County, Illi- 
nois, and at the age of fifteen years came with 
her parents to Exira. The father was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and the mother was born in 
the State of New York; both are dead, and lie 
buried in the cemetery at Exira. Mr. Whit- 
ted and wife have had seven children born to 
tliein — Clinton J., Mary, the wife of Albert 
Sewell; Minnie, wife of J. M. Barber; Forest, 
Elbridge, Carl C. and Clara P. Mr. Whitted 
is a member of the I. 0. O. ¥.; he is present 
assessor of Exira. In national matters lie 
votes the Democratic ticket. He owns two 
good farms, one in Exira Township and one 
in Hamlin Township, and five acres in his 
home place. Mrs. Whitted is a member of 
the Christian church, and is one of its most 
active members, as well as one of its liberal 



743 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNT} . ' 



contributors. Mrs. Whitted's father, L. B. 
Montgomery, was one of the first settlers 
of Audubon County. He held the office 
of county superintendent of schools for two 
terms. He liad a wide circle of friends and 
was greatly beloved by all wlio knew him. 



^YRUS H. SAMPSON, a thorough-going 
agriculturist of Viola Township, Audu- 
bon County, was born in Iowa County, 
Wisconsin, near Mineral Point, May 1, 1850. 
He is next to the oldest of four children of 
Henry and Elizabetli (Baker) Sampson, who 
are natives of England. They married and 
settled in Iowa County, Wisconsin, in which 
phice the mother died in 1864. The father, 
who survives her, is still living on the old 
homestead. Cyrus H. passed his youth in 
his native county, receiving in addition to a 
cotiinion school education a course in a busi- 
ness college. In 1873 he came to Audubon 
County, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of 
prairie land and rented land for two years. 
In 1875 he settled on the farm he now owns 
and went to work in good earnest. He has 
been prosperous, and has added to the small 
beginning Tintil he has a farm covei'ing 390 
acres, all well fenced and stocked with cattle, 
hogs, and a few hurses. He has erected a 
large, substantial residence, which is sur- 
rounded by a beautiful grove and lawn. Mr. 
Sampson devotes special attention to feeding 
cattle, shipping from one to two car-loads of 
cattle annually, besides large numbers of 
hogs. In 1877 Mr. Sampson was united in 
marriage to Miss Martha Ellis, of Audubon 
County, Iowa. She was born in the State of 
^'ew York, and removed with lier parents to 
Grinnell, Iowa, when a child. Three chil- 
dren have been born of this marriage — Henry 
E., Cyrus F. and Cora May. Mr. Sampson 



has served as supervisor of roads several 
terms. In politics he is conservative. He 
takes an active part in endeavors to elevate 
the morals of the community-; is a prominent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
using his money and influence in the support 
of the same. By his honorable and upright 
living he has won the confidence and respect 
of all who know him, and is considered one 
of the reliable farmers of Viola Township. 



|^,OBERT MILLER, deceased, was born 
•> in Allegheny County, near Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, June 9, 1807. He de- 
parted this life at his home in Leroy Town- 
ship, Audubon County, Iowa, July 28, 1886. 
He grew to maturity in his native State. He 
attended the common schools, and early in 
life learned the miller's trade, but afterward 
became a farmer. On April 2, 1834, he was 
united in niariiage to Miss Elizabeth AVood- 
burn, who was born in Allegheny County, 
Pennsylvania, and was the oldest daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Veasy) Woudburn. 
Her parents settled in Allegheny County in 
the day when Indians were numerous. They 
were of Irish descent, two generations having 
been l)orn in America. After his niarriasje 
Mr. Miller settled in Allegheny County, 
Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1856 he re- 
moved to Mercer County, Illinois, where he 
engaged in farming. He remained in this 
county ten years. In the fall of 1866 Mr. 
Miller removed with his family to Audubon 
County, Iowa, settling on a farm three niiles 
soutli of Exira, which is now known as the 
Gault farm. There he resided two years, 
and then removed to his present farm, sit- 
uated on the Nishnabotna River, section 1, 
Leroy Township, and containing 133 acres of 
well-improved lami. Mr. Miller was engaged 



BroaiiAPIIWAL SKETCUKS. 



743 



in general farming, but especially delighted 
in the care of fine live-stock. Ills horses, 
cattle and hogs were usually of high grades. 
Jlr. and Mrs. Miller had born to them ten 
children, eight of whom lived to maturity — 
\Yilliam, died at the age of eight years; 
Martha AV., wife of Perry Roberts; Benjamin 
F., died in November, 1886; Elizabeth, died 
at the age of eleven years; James, died in 
January, 188-4; Thomas, a prosperous farmer; 
Samuel, residing with his mother on the 
home farm; John A., a successful clothing 
merchant of Superior, Nebraska; Mary J., 
died February 3, 1874, and Sarali A., died 
December 5, 1879. Mr. Miller was appointed 
postmaster during President Hayes's adminis- 
tration, the office being kept in his dwelling. 
He also served as road supervisor. lie was 
an old-fashioned Democrat, and was an ad- 
mirer of President Cleveland's administra- 
tion. He did not chew tobacco, but enjoyed 
a good smoke. Mrs. Miller is now in lier 
seventy-seventh year, and is in possession of 
all her mental faculties, and assists and 
directs in the management of the farm. Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller had lived together for fifty- 
two years. Benjamin F. and James Miller 
served in the late Rebellion. B. F. was a 
member of the Tliirtieth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, Company G, and was Orderly Ser- 
geant of his company. James Miller was a 
member of the Ninth Illinois Mounted In- 
fantry, Company E, and served four years. 
He was among those who re-enlisted. 

g . MI . ^ ..... 



fOUN J. HENSLEY, a prominent farmer 
and stock-dealer in E.xira Township, was 
born in Chill icothe, Ross County, Ohio, 
September 11, 1819. His fatiicr, Jacob Hens- 
ley, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died 
when Joliu J. was a small Ijoy. His mother 

47 



was a Miss Sarah Wilfong, of German ances- 
try, a daughter of John Wilfong, who served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary war; she 
also died wlien John J. was a child, and he 
went to live with his uncle, Christopher Wil- 
fong, witli whom he remained until liis death; 
he was then thrown upon his own resources, 
and began the struggle of life alone. During 
his residence with his uncle he had attended 
school in the winter and worked on the farm 
in the summer. In 1844 lie was married to 
Miss Martha Popejay, of Fayette County, 
Ohio, and after liis marriage he settled on a 
farm in Fayette County; this he carried oa 
successfully for a number of years. In 1856 
he removed to Franklin County, Iowa, and 
there began dealing in live-stock in a small 
way, his means being somewhat limited. 
After a few years he removed from Franklin 
County to Polk County, and settled on a farm 
south of Des Moines; here he engaged in 
raising and shipping stock extensively until 
1869, when he moved to Jasper County and 
engaged in the same enterprise until 1871. 
He then sold out and moved to Audubon 
County, purchasing a farm one mile south of 
Exira, on the Nishnabotna River; this is one 
of the most desirable farms in tliis section, 
being of a very fertile soil and under high 
cultivation; there is a beautiful, natural grove 
north of the residence and barns, adding much 
to the attractiveness of the place, and afford- 
ing a most excellent shelter from the piercing 
winds of winter. Tiie farm is one of the oldest 
in the neighborhood, and was improved by 
Jacob Andrews, and at the time of purchase 
by Mr. Hensley contained 200 acres. Since 
his residence on this farm Mr. Hensley has 
devoted the greater portion of his time to 
buying, selling and shipping live-stock, while 
his sons have managed the agricultural de- 
partment of farming. From long experience 
in the business Mr. Ilensley iias become 



744 



U I STOUT OF AUDUBON COUNTY 



a most reliable judge of cattle; of late years 
he has also bought and sold hogs quite ex- 
tensively, shipping them to eastern markets. 
During their residence in Polk Countj' Mrs. 
Ilenslej was called from this life, in the year 
1869; she was a devoted wife and mother, and 
at her death left eight children — Leroy M., 
AVilliam I., Morgan, Martha A., wife of 
Daniel B. Hayes (Mrs. Hayes is now deceased) ; 
Fanny May (deceased), Frank M., John I. and 
Charles F. Mr. Hensley was married to his 
second wife in Polk County; she was Mrs. 
Maria Eckles, widow of Rev. William Ecklcs, 
and daughter of Heurv Reichert, of Indiana, 
a resident of Polk County, Iowa. Two chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hensley 
— Martha A. and Agnes. Mr. Hensley has 
not only been prominent in business circles, 
but he has also taken a lively interest in the 
elevation of the morals of the community; he 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, with which he has long been identi- 
fied, contributing largely of his time and 
means for its support; he has served as trus- 
tee and steward of the church. Politically 
he has lonjc been identified with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

-'♦■ ^ • 2 " i ' ^" ^ 



||\0N. WILLIAM WALKER has been 
identified with the interests of Audu- 
bon County since the year 1855. He 
was born in Huron County, Ohio, March 2, 
1834, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine 
(Sheridan) AValker. His father was a native 
of England, and emigrated to America when 
a young man. His mother was a native 
of Ireland, and was brought to this country 
when a child. After his marriage Joseph 
Walker settled in Huron County, remaining 
less than one year; he then removed to Per- 
rien County, Michigan, and settled on a farm, 



there passing the remainder of his days. He 
died in 1867; his wife, who survives him, 
occupies the old homestead in Michigan ; she is 
the mother of ten children, five sons and five 
daughters. William spent his youth on his 
father's farm, where his services were usually 
in demand, as he was the oldest son. He re- 
ceived the advantage of a district-school ed- 
ucation, and at the age of twenty-one years 
he forsook the ancestral roof and went to 
make his fortune in the far west, as Iowa was 
then considered. He pre-empted 160 acres 
of land in Audubon County, and entered 200 
acres at §1.25 per acre; this secured to him 
a home which he began to improve as his 
means would allow. In February, 1857, Mr. 
Walker was married to Miss Nancy J. Bowen, 
the oldest daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth 
Bowen, who came to Audubon County in 
1853. W. H. Bowen is still living at the 
age of seventy-seven years, and his wife died 
in 1873. Mrs. Walker was among the pio- 
neer school teachers of the count}'. After 
his marriage Mr. Walker settled on his farm 
on the west side of Troublesome Creek; this 
being a most excellent piece of land, Mr. 
Walker prospered, and as his means increased 
he invested in another farm on the east side 
of Troublesome Creek; this laud is skirted 
on the north by a heavy belt of timber which 
aff. rds the best protection to the live-stock 
on this farm. Here Mr. Walker has erected 
a fine two-story frame residence, a large barn 
for horses, and numerous buildings for the 
protection of live-stock. His landed estate 
at present numbers 1,500 acres, the greater 
portion of which is seeded down to grass. 
Large numbers of cattle are fattened annually 
on Mr. Walker's farm, and special attention is 
given to the breeding of the higher grades of 
live-stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the 
parents of nine children — John E., Charles 
W. (deceased), Frances A. (deceased), Laura 















A. f.JZ^&A 




uioaiiAPUicA I. SKETCH ma. 



749 



A., wife of J. D. Barhan; Ulysses S., Lula 
May, Oliver M., Eva and J. Grant. Mr. 
Walker has been politically identitied with 
his county as a member of the Legislature, 
serving in the twenty-second session; he was 
elected on the Republican ticket in 1887. 
lie has also served his township as clerk, 
trustee, and treasurer of the school district. 
He is a member of Exodus Lodge, No. 344, 
A. F. & A. M. Mr. Walker cast his first 
])residential vote for John C. Fremont. His 
grandfather, "William Walker, was a soldier 
in the British arn)y, and was present at the 
surrender of Cornwallis. Mr. Walker began 
life with small means, but his industry and 
good management have served him well, and 
to-day he is the owner of a handsome estate. 

— -" l - h ^ l - l * " " — 



I 



fOSEPn p. THORNISCH is a member 
of the firm of Thornisch & Isliam, livery 
and coal dealers, Audubon, Iowa. In 
the livery business Mr. Thornisch succeeds 
Mr. I. N. Simpson, of whom he bought the 
business in May, 1880, which he continued 
at the old stand. lie formed a partnership 
with Mr. Charles Isham, who with himself 
constitutes the present firm. Mr. Thornisch 
was born in Wyoming County, New York, 
August 2, 1844. lie lived in his native 
county until he was sixteen years old, when 
he went to Genesee County, New York, 
working on a farm, breaking horses, and fit- 
ting them for market. lie afterward drifted 
west and stopped in Audubon County, Iowa, 
in 1871, and spent his first winter on Davis 
Creek. In the following spring he took up a 
homestead near the present town site of Au- 
dubon, but through some technicality the 
Ilock Island Railroad Company gained pos- 
session of it, and ]\[r. Thornisch lost about 
$4,000. Abandoning the homestead he dis- 



posed of his cattle ranch, and purchased the 
livery stock, as before stated. The firm of 
Thornisch &, Isham is well known from the 
fact that both parties have been residents of 
the county for several years. They keep a 
good stock of buggies, including a fine hack 
and hearses, and attend to calls in the country 
promptly, as well as in the city. Their stock 
of horses is quite complete, and they have 
fine driving teams. In connection with their 
livery and coal business they have given 
special attention to the breeding of Henry 
Clay and Messenger horses; they also breed 
Clydesdale horses, and have invested a con- 
siderable sura in this business. Mr. Thorn- 
isch was married in 1867 to Miss Elizabeth 
Gabel, of Wyoming County, New York, a 
daughter of Jacob Gabel, of the same county. 
There she was born and reared to woman- 
hood. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornisch have been 
born three children — Eli A., Francis M., and 
Irma C. Mr. Thornisch has served one term 
as township trustee. He is a member of 
Gretas Lodge, No. 39G, I. O. O. F. Mr. 
Thornisch's parents were John J. and Catha- 
rine (Meyers) Thornisch, natives of Germany. 
The father emigrated to America before he 
was married. 



-jMf. 



fOIIN A. HICKS, an active farmer and 
stock-raiser of Exira Township, was iiorn 
in Canada West, February 11, 1843. He 
was reared on a farm, but when he had 
reached his nineteenth year he was bound to 
learn the blacksmith's trade, and served an 
apprenticeship of three years. He is the son 
of James and Margaret (Connon) Hicks, the 
mother only surviving. After he had finished 
his trade he worked as a journeyman for 
seven years in the State of Wisconsin, having 
come to the United States in his twenty- 



750 



UTSrORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



second year. In June, 1871, he came to 
Audubon County, stopping at Exira. Tliere 
he had a shop for eight or nine years, doing 
work for the country for miles around. lie 
continued this occupation industriously and 
with profit to himself. At the expiration of 
nine years he bought a farm of 200 acres, 
west of Exira. He has placed most of this 
under cultivation, and has a fine young grove 
of thirty acres. He has erected a good, 
substantial, two-story frame house, which is 
nearly surrounded by a natural grove, and 
other buildings necessary for the protection 
of live-stock. In 1874 Mr. Hicks was mar- 
ried to Mary B., the only daughter of Samuel 
and Gertrude Smith. Mrs. Hicks was born 
in Ross County, Ohio, January 6, 1854, and 
when she was three years of age her parents 
removed to Audubon County, Iowa. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Hicks have been born five children 
— James A., Samnel A., Ethel G., Clarence 
and John. Mr. Hicks began the struggle of 
life without a dollar, but by pluck, hard work 
and economy he has laid something by for a 
rainy day. His political sympathies are with 
the Republican party. His brothers and sis- 
ters all reside in Canada. 



lENJAMIN F. HOWALD, one of the 
leading merchants of Audubon, was born 
in Holmes County, Ohio, near Shanes- 
ville, August 30, 1850. He is the only son 
in a family of eight children, five of whom 
still survive. His fatlier was a shoemaker 
l)y trade; later Henry Howald became a 
farmer and contractor in Ohio, and died at 
the age of eighty years. The mother was 
Miss Magdalene Triver, a native of Germany, 
who died when i'enjamin was but eleven 
years old. Mr. Howald received a good com- 
mon-school education at the district school. 



He left home at the age of fourteen years, 
and commenced clerking in a store at Orrville, 
Ohio, after which he went to Cleveland, where 
he continued clerking until he was twenty 
years of age; the firm with whom he was 
employed did a large business, and with 
them he acquired a thorough knowledge of 
business methods, laying the foundation of 
his future success. In 1870, in company 
with his father, he came to Chicago, Illinois, 
and thence made a trip through the south- 
western States, remaining about two years in 
Texas, where he engaged in stock-raising. 
He then came to Atlantic, Iowa, where he 
engaged in the drug business with his 
brother-in-law, Dr. A. S. Moncrief; he re- 
mained here some time, and from Atlantic he 
came to Audubon where he embarked in the 
dry goods business on a small scale; this was 
in November, 1878. He carries a general 
stock vt' merchandise, including clothing and 
gents' furnishing goods; both departments 
are under Mr. Howald's control. In 1879 
he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor 
Disbrow, of Atlantic, Iowa, a daughter of 
Perry Disbrow, now a resident of Lewis, 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Howald have one son — 
George H. Howald. Mr. Howald is a mem- 
ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. 
M.; and of Godfrey Commandery, and is 
also a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
No. 163. Mr. Howald has in the course of 
erection a fine brick business block, 50x95 
feet, two stories in height, with a basement. 
There are no jjartitions on the first floor, the 
ceiling being supported by iron columns, thus 
leaving the space in one commodious room. 
The second floor will be fitted up in suites of 
rooms and offices which will admit of very 
handsome furnishings, as the building will be 
finished in good style; it will bo substantial 
throughout, and reflects much credit upon 
the thrifty young merchant of Audubon. 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCUEti. 



751 



lie began liis career in a modest way, and 
the proportions it has assumed is indexed by 
the hirge building which is to accommodate 
the growing trade. Audubon has many fine 
buildings, and Mr. Howald has given cause 
for increased pride in this direction. 



fOllN II. FRAHM.— The Stuart House, 
Audubon, Iowa, was built by John H. 
Frahin in 18S2. It is a two-story brick 
front, located on the corner of Broadway and 
Market streets, and is comfortably furnished 
and well kept. Mr. Frahin was born in 
North Germany, which was once a portion of 
Denmark, April 16, 1854. He was educated 
in his native tongue, and also acquired a 
knowledge of the English language. At the 
age of si.xteen years he left school and became 
a landscape gardener, in which science and 
art he grew to be an expert. His parents, 
John and Anna (Neve) Frahm, had born to 
them eight children, three of whom still sur- 
vive. The father and mother are both de- 
ceased. In 1875 Mr. Frahm emigrated to 
America, landing in the city of New York; 
thence he came to Iowa, engaging in various 
kinds of work in Davenport for some time. 
In October, 1878, he came to Audubon 
Couuty, this being the time of the county- 
seat contest. The first business in which he 
embarked was tiiat of keeping a restaurant, 
which was followed by a regular hotel busi- 
ness. In April, 1881, he opened a new 
hotel, which was called the Farmers' Home. 
Tills he managed a few years and then sold, 
after which he traveled through the western 
States and Territories, visiting California, 
Washington Territory and Oregon. He then 
made a visit to his old iiome in Germany, 
returning to tiie United States in the spring 
of 1884. Coming to Audubon County ho 



again opened a hotel, and has since carried 
on the business successfully. Mr. Frahm was 
married to Rosaphine II. C. Hansen, a native 
of Germany, residing at the time of her mar- 
riage in the State of New York. Mr. and 
Mrs. Frahm have had two children — Anna 
M. C. and Maria T., who died in infancy. 
Mr. Frahm owns a good farm in Cass County, 
which contains 160 acres, all well impruvedj 
and under good cultivation. Mr. Frahm 
began his career without any caj)ital, but has 
accumulated a comrortable living l>y industry 
and wise management. 



I^ARTIN L. CAPPER, who is one of 
vlt the many successful farmers and 
stock-growers of Melville Township, 
Audubon County, Iowa, is a native of West 
Virginia, born in Berkley County, September 
26, 1842. He is the third son of Samuel 
and Margaret (Hite) Capper, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, of German ancestry. They were 
early settlers in that part of Virginia, and 
followed the most honorable calling known to 
mankind, farming. In the early autumn of 
1855 Samuel Capper removed to Iowa with 
his family and settled in Henry County, near 
the town of Trenton. There the parents 
again took up farming and passed the re- 
mainder of their days. The mother died in 
the fall of 1879, and the father in the winter 
of the satue year. They were the parents of 
nine children, eight of ■«vhom grew to matu- 
rity. Martin Ii. passed his youthful days in 
Henry County, Iowa, attending the common 
schools and doing tlie ordinary farm work 
usually falling to a farmer's son. Besides 
the work he did at home he hired to the 
neighbors, improving every opportunity 
offered him for earning an lionest dollar. He 
was united in marriage October 22, 1868, to 



752 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. • 



Miss Jane I'ratt, of Henry County, Iowa, the 
youngest daughter of Lewis and Ellen Pratt, 
natives of New I'ork and New Jersey re- 
spectively. After tlieir marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Capper lived on a farm, and in the 
spring of 1877 they came to Audubon 
County, settling on forty acres of land in 
Leroy Township. In 1879 Mr. Capper traded 
for the eighty acres on which he now lives, 
in section 6, Melville Township. Here he 
erected the necessary buildings, broke his 
land, and made many good improvements, 
including a five-acre grove, which he planted. 
He has been a successful farmer in all the 
different departments. Mr. and Mrs. Capper 
are the parents of seven children — Flora, 
Anna, Ilalph, Charles, John, Samuel and 
Alice Mary. In political belief Mr. Capper 
is independent, but in national matters he 
votes the Democratic ticket, always reserving 
the right of voting for the best man, irre- 
spective of party lines. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Capper areacceptable members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church, worshiping at present 
at Bethel church. Being fully absorbed in farm 
life and its duties, Mr. Capper never sought 
public office, holding no such positions, except 
that of school director. As one views this 
worthy man's life-work he can but feel that 
his way is the true way to live — independent, 
free and happy, surrounded as he is by ail 
the ordinary comforts of life, possessing the 
knowledge that his duty has been well per- 
formed. 



- - g ' l '- fg-- 

i,LLEN J. EDDY, a prominent stock- 
raiser of Leroy Township, was born in 
Lake County, Ohio, December 21, 
1839. He is the second son and youngest of 
four children of Benjamin and Lavina Eddy, 
natives of tiic State of Vermont and New 



York respectively. Both parents died in 
Johnson County, Iowa. Mr. Eildy's paternal 
grandfather fought in the war of the Revolu- 
tion. Our subject received his earlier educa- 
tion in Lake County, Ohio, whore his parents 
had settled after their marriage. When he 
was twelve years of age the family removed 
to Johnson County, Iowa, going by way of 
the lakes to Chicago, thence through the 
country with teams to Johnson County, wheje 
Allen grew to manhood. He enlisted in the 
Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- 
pany F, when there was a call for men to 
defend their country's flag. He was assigned 
to the western de])artment of the army and 
belonged to the Si.xteenth Army Corps, then 
under command of General Grant. Mr. 
Eddy took part in the following l)attles: Fort 
Donelsou, Shiloh, Corinth, where his regi- 
ment suffered great loss, about half the men 
being taken prisoners, and was then ordered 
back to Davenport, Iowa, where the regiment 
was re-organized. They were then ordered 
to Columbus, Kentucky, at which point they 
were stationed for some time. The regiment 
was then ordered up the Red River, General 
Smith commanding, and took part in the 
battle of Pleasant Hill, where 280 Union 
men were lost out of 600. After this battle 
the regiment was ordered to Missouri and 
followed General Price. Mr. Eddy's term of 
enlistment having expired he was sent to 
Davenport, where he received his pay and 
was honorably discharged November 9, 18G4. 
Although taking part in nine regular battles, 
and his comrades being shot down by his 
side, he escaped without a scratch; but he 
had some holes shot through his clothing. 
He returned to Johnson County, Iowa, and 
farmed for two years, and then removed to 
Harrison County, where he engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits for eight years. He tlien 
returned to .loiinsou County on account of 



niOORAPUIGAL SKETGUES. 



753 



tlie grasshopper raid, from wliicli lie suffered 
a heavy loss. In 1880 he removed to Audu- 
l)on County, Iowa, with his family, and pur- 
chased 160 acres of land, sixty of which were 
broken. lie put the remainder under line 
cultivation and made many improvements, 
lie has a bank barn, which aff'ords the best 
protection to live stock, corn cribs, and all 
buildings necessary to farming. Mr. Eddy 
was united in marriage to Miss Maria Elliott, 
of Johnson County, Iowa. She was born in 
Miami County, Ohio, and is the eldest daugh- 
ter of George and Mary Elliott. Mr. and 
Mrs. Eddy have had eleven children, seven of 
whom survive — Oren W., Ilattie, wife of 

Baker; Emma J., Henry J., Irvin, 

Alice Maud and Bernie II. Mr. and Mrs. 
Eddy are devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Mr. Eddy has served as 
road supervisor, and he is a member of the 
G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34. 



fOSEPIl EIDPATII, farmer and stock- 
raiser, Audubon County, Iowa, was born 
in Montgomery County, Virginia, on 
the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 
September 21, 1829. He is the son of James 
A. and Rebecca (Kelsey) Ridpath, who were 
the parents of five children. The father was 
a native of Virginia and a farmer by occu- 



pation. 



and the mother was of German 



descent. The grandfather of our subject was 
a native of England, and was brought to this 
country at the age of eight years. Joseph 
is a cousin of the historian, John Clark Rid- 
path, a resident of Greencastle, Indiana, 
lie passed his boyhood in Ross County, Ohio, 
whither his ]>arcnts had moved when he was 
one year old. His father died here three 
years later, leaving him an orphan when a 
mere cliilil. The mother and chiMroii, a few 



years later, removed from Ross County, Ohio, 
to Putnam County, Indiana, where they 
bought a piece of land in the green woods, 
which they partly cleared out. During this 
time Joseph was bound out to Henry Picket, 
with whom he remained until his eicrhteenth 
year. Mr. Picket proved to be a good father, 
and when Joseph left him, gave him a suit of 
clothes, a horse, saddle and bridle. In the 
meantime the mother and other members of 
the family had removed to Parke County, In- 
diana. Here the mother was again married 
and passed the remainder of her days. In 
1849 Mr. Ridpath left Putnam County and 
came to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he 
bought forty acres of land, paying $1.25 per 
acre. This he improved, and added to it 
eighty acres more, on which he resided until 
the spring of 1880, when he removed to Au- 
dubon County, Iowa. Mr. Ridpath was mar- 
ried to Miss Betsey Jarrad, of Mahaska 
County, Iowa, by whom four children were 
born — Henrietta, wife of G. H. Petty ; Thomas 
M., Otis (deceased) and Albert. The mother 
died in Mahaska County. Mr. Ridpath was 
married to his present wife in May, 1806. 
Mrs. Rid path's maiden name was Rebecca J. 
Petty, and she is a daughter of James B. 
Petty, a native of Ohio. On the breaking 
out of the late civil war Mr. Ridpath enlisted 
in Company E, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry. He was immediately sent to Lit- 
tle Rock, Arkansas, under General Steele. 
He was then sent to Camden, Arkansas, and 
on the defeat of General Banks he was ordered 
into the Seventh Army Corps. He was fol- 
lowed and overtaken at the Saline River, and 
had a sharp engagement with General Price's 
forces, in which a good many men were killed 
and wounded and taken ])risoners. He was 
then ordered back to Little Rock, thence to 
Mobile, Alabama, where the siege contiMU(;<l 
eigiit days. Hi; was then ordered to the 






754 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. • 



moiitli of the Rio Grande River, and then to 
New Orleans, where he was transferred to 
Company E, Thirty- fourth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry. August 15, 1865, he was mustered 
out of the service at Houston, Texas. He 
then returned to Mahaska County, Iowa, 
where he engaged in the more peaceful pur- 
suits of agriculture, having served his coun- 
try faithfully and honorably. lie is a member 
of the G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34, of 
which he is Quartermaster-Sergeant. Mr. 
Ridpath's farm consists of eighty acres of 
well-improved land. 

>ot 1 1 V m ? nC-»?»>-»>. 



fESSE F. LOSE, merchant, Ross, Iowa. 
Mr. Luse was born in Johnson County, 
Iowa, near Big Eend, July 31, 1861, and 
is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Higbee) Luse. 
Joseph Luse was born in Butler County, Penn- 
sylvania, October 19, 1830, and is a son of 
Stephen and Hannah (Liken) Luse; the Liken 
family were of Swedish and Welsh ancestry, 
and the Luse family were of German and 
French descent. Joseph Luse drifted west 
when a young man, and stopped in Johnson 
County, Iowa, whore he married and settled 
on a farm, where he resided until 1834, with 
the exception of a trip to Pike's Peak in the 
time of the gold fever, when he removed to 
Missouri, whei'e they spent three years. Tiiey 
tlien went to Kansas, where they lived live 
years, and were driven away by the grass- 
hopper raid and drouth; they returned to 
Johnson County, and from there to Audubon 
County in 1847, where they were again at- 
tacked by the grasshoppers. They stood their 
own ground this time, and since then have 
prospered. Mr. Luse improved his farm, 
which is situated on the Chicago it North- 
western Railroad, near Ross. He had built a 
tine house, and was surrounded with many 



comforts when he died, April 26, 1887, by 
the horrible effects of a cancer, admired and 
respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Luse, 
who survives him, occupies the homestead " 
and manages the farm with the assistance of 
her youngest son, David N. Luse. The place 
consists of 160 acres. Joseph Luse and wife 
were the parents of ten children — Charles 
(deceased), John W., Hattie. Stephen and 
Jesse F. (twins), Ezra (deceased), David, 
Susan (deceased), Alice and Annie. Jesse F. 
Luse passed his youth in Missouri and Osage 
County, Kansas, with plenty of Indians for 
companions, where he had the advantage of a 
common-school education. He removed with 
his parents to Audubon County, and remained 
with them until his majority. During this 
time he followed breaking up prairie and 
farming. In 1884 he was married to Miss 
Ida W. Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Luse have one 
daughter — Nellie I. Mrs. Luseisthcdaughter 
of Samuel and Rebecca (Downing) Jiice. On 
quitting his farm Mr. Luse bought the stock 
of goods belonging to II. B. Shelby, which 
consisted of a general stock. He has built 
up a large trade, and is well and favorably 
known as proprietor of the Farmers' Store, and 
dehorner. Mr. Luse has invented a machine 
for dehorning cattle, with which he has re- 
moved the horns of hundreds of cattle. The 
machine is simple in construction and swift 
in action, and promises to be the means of 
making him a fortune. This practice of de- 
horning cattle is now generally approved. 

-"l - l >> l ' t 




ilLLIAM G. STLTART, junior mem- 
ber of the firm of Charles Stuart & 
Son, dealers in lumber, grain and 
stock, Audubon, Iowa, was born in Stark 
County, Illinois, October, 1856. He is the 
son of Cliarles and Lois G. (Graj') Stuart, 



BIOGRAPniCAL SKETGUES. 



755 



natives of the State of Vermont, who, after 
their marriage, removed to Stark County, 
Illinois, where they were early settlers. Cap- 
tain Stuart was an active man and stock- 
raiser, and accumulated property rapidly. 
Having some surplus capital, he came to Au- 
dubon County, Iowa, and bought large tracts 
of land which he improved and stocked to 
their fullest extent, lie had established his 
large ranch in Melville Township before the 
town of Audubon was platted. His pi-esent 
stock ranch consists of six sections of land, 
tlie greater part of which is under tine culti- 
vation. It all lies in one body and is well 
fenced, so tiiat stock can be handled to good 
advantage. A part of the land is set apart 
for the cultivation of corn, which Mr. Stuart 
raises extensively. He also buys large quan- 
tities of the neighboring farmers. Large 
numbers of cattle and hugs are fed on the 
Stuart ranch, and for the past few years 
special attention has been given to the breed- 
ing of Fercheron and Clydesdale horses. 
Two hundred tons of hay are annually cut on 
the place. The ranch is conducted under 
the immediate direction of W. G. Stuart. 
Although he resides in Audubon, he visits 
the place almost daily; he also has telephone 
connection between his ofhce in town and the 
ranch. At present there arc 1,100 head of 
cattle on the farm, some of which are thor- 
oughbred, and others of which are liigh 
grades mixed. Their annual sales are from 
000 to 1,000 head. The farms are well pro- 
vided with sheds for the protection of the 
stock, and they are all well supplied with 
water. In 1878, after the starting of the 
town of Audubon, Charles Stuart established 
a lumber yard and built a large grain eleva- 
tor, where he deals in lumber and grain quite 
extensively. On the completion of the Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway to Audubon, Mr. 
Stuart erected his office, which is of a very 



attractive design and finish. The entire 
building is of St. Louis pressed brick, and 
the interior is furnished with every modern 
convenience. William G. Stuart also has 
charge of the grain and lumber business, 
Charles Stuart being still a resident of Illi- 
nois. The firm employs from thirty-five to 
forty men during the year. Mr. Stuart was 
married in 1882 to Miss Annis Randolph, of 
Tama County, Iowa, where she was born and 
reared. She is a daughter of John Ran- 
dolph, a resident of Audubon County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stuart are the parents of two chil- 
dren — Lois and Charles. Mr. Stuart has 
served one term as a member of the town 
council, and in National and State elections 
he votes the Republican ticket. 



.^.OBERT NATHAN CARPER, of Leroy 
M Township, Audubon County, Iowa, was 
born in Berkeley County, near Martins- 
burgh, West Virginia, August 2G, 1847. He is 
a son of Samuel and Margaret (Hite) Carper, 
who emigrated from Virginia to Iowa in 
1856. They settled at Mount Pleasant, Henry 
County, where Robert N. passed his youth. 
At the age of eighteen he went to Warren 
County, Iowa; here he broke out two new 
farms for Andrew Pudepbaugh. He remained 
there nine years, and during this time was 
married to Miss Laura Turney, of Henry 
County, Iowa, December 8, 180S; she is a 
daughter of Daniel and Lilah (Wilcox) Tur- 
ney. After their marriage they settled on a 
farm near Lacona, where they resided until 
the fall of 1877. They then came to Audubon, 
and Mr. Carper bought a farm of 120 acres, 
which he improved and sold; he then Iwught 
160 acres, which he improved and disposed 
of; he then purchased his present farm of 
eighty acres, which is all well improved. lie 



75(} 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNT F.* 



has erected a substantial residence, fle has 
made a specialty since coining to this farm of 
buying horses and fitting them for market. 
He also gives special attention to breeding 
Clydesdale horses, and all of his live-stock are 
of high grades. Mr. and Mrs. Carper are the 
parents of eight children — Fannie, Maggie, 
Frank, James A., Burel, Alvin B., Robert 
Ingersol and Emma. Mr. Carper has served 
as school director, but in political matters is 
somewhat conservative; he affiliates with the 
liepubiican party. Mr. Carper commenced 
life without any capital excepting that with 
which nature had endowed him; he has em- 
ployed this to the best advantage, and has 
accumulated a comfortable fortune. 

'^■ "| ' 3"t ' |" '°' 



fUDGE JAMES HOLLIDAY, of West 
Exira, one of the early settlers of the 
county, was born near Wheeling, West 
Virginia, April 16, 1821. He is a son of 
William Ilolliday, a native of Virginia; the 
Ilollidays were among the first settlers of 
West Virginia, their ancestors leaving New 
England, and settling in that State. The 
grandfather of James Ilolliday was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war, and endured all 
the extreme hardships of that hostile period, 
having no shoes to wear often during the 
cold seasons, and living for days and weeks 
together on roast potatoes, llis courage and 
faitiifulness were rewarded by this govern- 
ment, as he was receiving a pension at the 
time of his death. William Holliday's wife, 
the mother of James Holliday, was Mary 
Campbell, a native of Connecticut; she was 
the daughter of Richard Campbell, oF the 
old straight-jacket Presbyterian stuck. AVhcn 
she was a child lier parents removed to Vir- 
ginia. She was the mother of four children, 
three boys and one girl. AVilh'am Holliday's 



first wife was a Miss Harve^', and three 
daughters were born by this marriage, all of 
whom lived to maturity. Judge James Ilol- 
liday, the subject of this notice, was the old- 
est child of the second marriage. His brother, 
Richard C, was a prominent attorney of 
Moundsville, West Virginia, and his other 
brother, William, was a merchant residing in 
the State of Illinois. James Holliday was 
reared in Ohio County, West Virginia, until 
he was twelve years of age; his father then 
removed to Marshall County, AVest Virginia, 
settling on a farm near Moundsville. Here 
James attended school, and afterward taught 
for two terms; he also engaged in teaching 
after he came to the State of Iowa. In 1861 
he was appointed postmaster under Lincoln's 
administration, at Moundsville, West Vir- 
ginia; he held this office until the close of 
the war, when he resigned and entered into 
other business; he had bought some coal 
land in Belmont County, Ohio, which he 
afterward opened, and sold at a considerable 
profit. In the month of July, 1866, he re- 
moved to Henry County, Iowa, settling on a 
farm nine miles northeast of Mount Pleasant; 
here he remained two years, and then sold 
the place, removing to Polk County, and set- 
tling on Mud Creek, ten miles east of Des 
Moines; here his wife died; her maiden 
name was Mary Jane Whittingham, and she 
was married in 1841, and left at her death 
five children — George W., James (deceased), 
Amanda, wife of John A. Jones; Mary E., the 
wife of George Smith; Estelle, wife of Charles 
Smith. Mr. Ilolliday married his present 
wife, Sarah Andrews, in 18 — ; she was born 
in Oxford County, Maine, and is a daughter 
of Isaac and Sally (Kimball) Andrews. In 
18G8 he moved to Guthrie County, and after 
a residence of four years, he moved to Audu- 
bon County, and settled on a farm two miles 
south of Exira; here he remained ten years, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



757 



and at the end of this time he was elected 
justice of the peace, filling tliis office six 
years. lie was then appointed coroner, aud 
served two years.- i\G owns a large two-story 
residence iu West Exira, and ninety acres of 
land, which he rents. In political matters 
Mr. Holliday votes the Republican ticket; 
but often when running for otlice, he receives 
as many Democratic votes as Republican 
votes. Mrs. Ilolliday's first husband was 
Samuel Ayer; her parents are both deceased. 
Mr. Holliday owns eight lots in Douglas, 
Wyoming Territory, which is valuable prop- 
erty', as Douglas is the county seat of (Jon- 
verse County. 



fPOEL II. UASIIAM, an active farmer and 
* stock-raiser of Exira Township, was born 
in the State of Kentucky, Breckenridge 
County, March 24, 1838. He is a son of 
Frank and Theresa (Hardin) Basham; the 
father was born in Virginia, and was the son 
of Obediah Basham, who removed from Vir- 
ginia to Kentucky when Frank Basham was 
a child. Joel H. was the sixth in a family 
of ten children; he spent his youth in his 
native county, attending school and assisting 
his father; at the age of twenty years he 
went to Gentry County, Missouri; from this 
point he went to the mines of Central City, 
and remained there until 18G3, when he came 
to Iowa, and settled on a farm. He spent 
two years freighting across the State from 
GrinncU to Council BiuUs. Mr. Basham 
was married in 18G6 to Miss Sarah M. Hal- 
lock, of Audubon County, a daughter of Isaac 
I*, and Abigail Ilallock. After his marriage 
Mr. I'asham resided in Oakfield for a time, 
and then removed to a farm west of the vil- 
lage, which he rented for three years. He 
then bought a iiirni in fJass County, Iowa, on 



which he lived for one year, and then sold, 
returning to Oakfield. He afterward pur- 
chased a farm in Greeley Township, and 
made his residence there until he sold the 
place, when he bought his present farm in 
the spring of 1881. Mr. Basham owns 
twenty acres of timber besides the land 
which he has under cultivation; the farm 
was unimproved in the way of buildings, so 
all the work in this direction has been done 
by the present owner of the place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Basham are the parents of four chil- 
dren—Frank H., Lester W., Gertrude II. and 
Robert Burns; two children died in infancy. 
Mr. Basham has served as road supervisor 
for the i^ast four years; in National and 
State elections he votes the Democratic ticket, 
but in local politics he votes for the best 
fitted in his estimation to fill the ofiice. 

— -»>-. .; • me . ^ .... o . — 



EORGE M. DUBOIS, deceased, was 
IW °"^ *^*' ■^'^^"'^''" County's most enter- 
prising citizens. He was born in the 
State of Indiana in 1850. When a small 
child his parents emigrated to Jones County, 
Iowa, where they settled, and where he grew 
to manhood. He received a common-school 
education and was reared a farmer, becoming 
well skilled in his occupation. In 1878 ho 
came to Audubon County and secured a farm 
in tiie southeastern corner of Loroy Town- 
ship, wliich he broke and improved in many 
ways. The place was well fenced, there was 
a comfortable residence, a large frame barn, 
and other buildings for stock. He planted a 
grove, which added very much to the attract- 
ive appearance of the place. At the time of 
his death the farm contained 357 acres. Mr. 
Dubois was an excellent judge of live-stock, 
and was very successful in their care. He was 
a man of (juiet force and great energy, work- 



758 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



ing late and early in all kinds of weather. 
He wag married in his twenty-ninth year to 
Mies Ella Bowdish, of Audubon County, Iowa, 
a native of the State of Indiana, and a daugh- 
ter of Ira and Sallie E. Bowdish. She came 
to Iowa with her parents in infancy. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dubois are the parents of three 
children — Anna Pearl, Dolly D. and Mabel. 
Mr. Dubois died December 19, 1885, of con- 
sumption. After the death of her husband 
Mrs. Dubois took charge of her farm, and 
conducted it with much ability until her mar- 
riage to Mr. James M. Pratten in 1886. Mr. 
Pratten is a native of England, but came to 
America when in his youth. He has worked 
in various kinds of business, but is a prac- 
tical farmer, and is an excellent judge of 
stock. Mr. and Mrs. Pratten are the parents 
of one daughter — Alice M. Pratten. 

— -•■ ^i " ; ' g — 



fOHN M. GRIGGS, attorney at law, Au- 
dubon, Iowa, was born in Indiana, Ma- 
rion County, near Indianapolis. He is 
the fourth son of a family of eleven children 
of Hiram Lee and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Griggs. 
His father A'as born in Westmoreland County, 
Virginia, in 1803, and his mother, Elizabeth 
Hawkins, in Bath County, Kentucky. His 
father is still living and resides at Monrovia, 
Morgan County, Indiana. The father is a 
Methodist Episcopal minister, and has de- 
voted many years to that service. John M. 
was reared in central Indiana. His father being 
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
their residence was frequently changed, ac- 
cording to the custom of that ciiurch. He 
began studying law while attending tiie Zions- 
ville Academy, and later attended Wabash 
College. On the 19th of April, 18()1, he en- 
listed in the service of our country (first call) 
at Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time of his 



After about eighteen 

rerriment was clianged 



first enlistment he was studying law with 
Colonel C. C. ^'ave. Being discharged from 
first enlistment he resumed his studies with 
Coloi.el Nave. On July G, 1861, he again 
enlisted for three years' service, in response to 
the call for 300,000, at Centreton, Indiana, 
becoming a member of the Twenty-first Indi- 
ana Volunteers, Company K. This regiment 
was one of the first to leave the State under 
the three years' call, 
months' service the 
from infantry to artillery, and was thereafter 
known as First Indiana Heavy Artillery. In 
July, 1861, he was sent to Baltimore, thence 
on an expedition into Accomack and North- 
ampton counties, Virginia, thence to Fortress 
Monroe, thence to Newport News, Virginia. 
On the 4th of March, 1862, he boarded the 
Constitution for Ship Island, left James' Bay 
on March 6th, witnessed the bombardment of 
Fort Jackson and St. Philips. His regiment 
was the first at the landing at New Orleans. 
Upon his discharge, dated July 81, 1864, we 
find the following indorsement: "John M. 
Griggs, character good. Participated in the 
following engagements; Baton Rouge, Louisi- 
ana, August 5, 1862; Donaldsonville, Louisi- 
ana, September 24, 1862; Bayou Des Almands, 
September 9, 1862; A. J. Cotton, January 
14, 1863; Camp Bisland, April 12, 13 and 
14, 1863; Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, to 
July 8, 1863, inclusive; Cane River Crossing, 
April 23, 1864; Marksville Plains, May 16, 
1864; Yellow Bayou, May 18, 1864; Mans- 
field, April 8, 1864; Pleasant Hill, April 9, 
1864. Clayton Cox, Captain Company K." 
In August, 1864, he returned to his home in 
Indiana by way of the Mississippi River on 
board tiie steamer Empress, which, while en 
route for Cairo, was fired at by the enemy at 
Gaines' Tow Head. On his return to his home 
in Indiana he resumed his studies of law, and 
during intervals taught school in Marion and 



BIOGRAPHICAL .SKBTCIIKS. 



75!> 



other counties. In 1865 lie went to Emporia, 
Kansas; reinaineil there but a short time and 
returned to Indiana by way of Iowa. In 1867 
lie again returned to Iowa, locating in Audu- 
bon County, Iowa, where he was admitted to 
the bar and commenced the practice of law, 
and has been a resident of said county ever 
since. "J. M. Griggs commenced the practice 
of law at Exira in the year 1869, and has 
given the profession the closest individual 
attention. He moved to Audubon imme- 
diately after the county seat was moved to 
this city. lie has never missed a term of 
court in the county during the wliole time. 
Naturally a man of studious habits, he liter- 
ally lives with his profession, and we can truly 
say he is wedded to it. He has been singularly 
fortunate in his practice, gaining some splen- 
did cases. He is a bold, ardent advocate. 
His success depends upon his profound learn- 
ing, his clear judgment, undaunted courage, 
loyalty to his clients, his veracity and perfect 
understanding of his case. Taken altogether, 
he stands second to no lawyer of the bar of 
Audubon County." — H. F. Andrews in Ad- 
vocate, January 1, 1881. 



— —:♦;»'! '^— — 

lEORGE IIARDENBROOK was born 
in Knox County, Ohio, December 4, 
184:2, and is the son of Ambrose and 
Hannah (Axtell) Ilardenbrook. Tlie father 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and tlie mother 
was of English descent, and both died when 
onr subject was an infant. Lndwig Ilarden- 
brook, the grandfather of CJeorge Ilarden- 
brook, was one of the early settlers of Man- 
hattan Island; he was of Ilollandish descent, 
and served in the war of the Revolution. At 
the close of this war he was paid in a land 
warrant, wiiich he located in western Penn- 
sylvania; he lived upon this land for several 



years, and then removed to Jefferson County, 
Ohio. He served in the war of 1812, and 
soon after moved to Knox Connty, Oiiio, re- 
siding there until his death, which occurred 
at the age of eighty-nine years. George 
Ilardenbrook went to live with an aunt after 
the death of his parents, and later made his 
home with a sister. At the age of fifteen 
years he started out to support himself, hav- 
ing received a common-school education. 
Afterward he attended three terms of a 
graded school, at the same time working at 
the carpenter's trade. Tliis avocation he 
followed until the breaking out of the late 
civil war, when he enlisted in the Twentietli 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company' G, being 
one of the first to respond to the call for men 
to go to the defense of the nation's flag. He 
was sent into West Virginia under General 
McCIelland's command. While in the serv- 
ice he was taken sick with the measles and 
thrown into the hospital. He was dismissed 
before he was cured, as the hospital was over- 
crowded, and suffered a great deal of expos- 
ure, from which he was a long time in 
recovering. He was ordered to Columbus, 
Ohio, and was there mustered out of the 
service. In January, 1864, he enlisted as a 
mechanic in the quartermaster's department 
in the Army of the Cumberland. After one 
month's service he was promoted to the fure- 
manship of this work. On his return to 
Monroe County, (Jhio, he accepted the posi- 
tion of deputy sherift", and iield the place for 
three montlis, when he went to Omaha, Ne- 
braska, and thance to Jasper County, Iowa, 
in which place he worked at the carpenter's 
trade for two seasons. Mr. Ilardenbrook 
was married to Miss Rebecca J. Bundy, of 
Jasper County, who was a native of Highland 
County, Ohio, and a daughter of Caleb and 
Sopiirona Bundy. After liis marriage Mr. 
Ilardenbrook embarked in the grocery busi- 



700 



iimronY of auduiion county.' 



ness at Prairie City, Jasper County, Iowa, 
remaining tliere two years. He then removed 
to Kansas, thence to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and thence to Maliaska County, Iowa, 
in which county, at Leighton, he opened a 
drug store. In a short time he removed this 
stock to Exira, Iowa, in September, 1872, 
being one of the first druggists in the place. 
In 18^6 he was appointed postmaster under 
General Grant's administration, and held the 
position seven years, at the end of which 
time he resigned. He carries a full line of 
drugs and medicines and fancy goods. In 
1880 he was elected a member of the school 
board, and continued in this position until 
1888, wlien he resigned. He is a member of 
the O. P. Morton Post, No. 35, G. A. R., and 
of the A. O. U. W., of which he was first 
Master. He is a charter member of Ex- 
odus Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., of 
the chapter and coramandery. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ilardenbrook are the parents of five 
children — Burton, Blanche, Lena, Edith and 
Ross. Caleb Bundy, father of Mrs. Harden- 
brook, was one of those men whose life is a 
sweet memory to his friends. He was born 
of Quaker parents, in Westmoreland County, 
Virginia, and was of the Quaker faith until 
his marriage, at which time he abandoned 
the society on account of having married out- 
side its membership. He was one of the 
northern abolitionists who assisted the blacks 
in their flight to the north, and he lived to 
see that horrible institution wiped from 
this nation. After his marriage he joined 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and was 
ordained as a minister. He preached in 
Illinois and Iowa, at the same time carrying 
on the blacksmith's trade. He took an active 
interest in the politics of the county, and was 
elected upon the Republican ticket to repre- 
sent the county in the Xlllth Assembly, a 
position he filled with marked ability. In 



1872 Mr. Bundy removed to Audubon 
County, Iowa, making his home with Mr. 
and Mrs. Ilardenbrook at Exira, at which 
place beheld the position of postmaster until 
his death, which occurred in March, 1876. 
He was a man who commanded the respect 
of all parties, and at his death was without an 
enemy. He devoted his leisure hours to 
looking after the poor, and in performing 
many acts of charity. 

% ' l *' t ' % ' "" 



arSxVAC L. STATZELL, attorney at law, 
M Exira, Iowa, was born in Hendricks 
^ County, Indiana, near Danville, February 
16, 1861. Isaac Statzell, his father, was a 
native of the State of Pennsylvania, and his 
mother, Abigail J. (Griggs) Statzell, was 
born in Virginia, and was the daughter of 
Hiram and Elizabeth Griggs. Isaac L., the 
subject of this biography, is the fourth child 
in a family of seven, two boys and five girls, 
all of whom are living. He passed his boy- 
hood on his father's farm, and received liis 
primary education in the district school. 
Later he attended a select school, and finally 
entered the State Normal School at Terre 
Haute, Indiana. After leaving school he en- 
gaged in teaching, but about the year 1882 
he became connected with a newspaper called 
the Auduhon County Defender, published at 
Exira, Iowa. During his connection with 
this paper he read law, and at the expiration 
of two years he entered the law office of J. 
M. it R. "VV. Griggs. After liis admission to 
the bar, Mr. Statzell commenced practice 
alone in Exira, and since that time be has de- 
voted his whole time to his profession. He 
j)ractices in all the State and county courts. 
Mr. Statzell is a member of Exodus Lodge, 
No. 342, A. F. & A. M., of which he is senior 
warden. He also has a membership in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL Hh'ETCIIES. 



761 



A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Pythias. 
He is an active worker in the interests of the 
Republican party, attending conventions as a 
delegate and otherwise serving his party dili- 
gently and faitiifiiily. 

-' ■ "^ • S"£ ' |" "-^ 



jARiriS E. SHAUGUR is a member of 
the firm of D. E. Shaugur & Company, 
^^ dealers in agricultural implements, Ex- 
ira, Iowa. Ilis father, Francis J. Shaugur, 
now deceased, was born in the State of Penn- 
Bylvania, but passed most of his early life in 
Michigan. lie died November 17, 1888. 
He removed from Michigan to Rock Island, 
Illinois, and was there employed by the Chi- 
cago & Rock Island Railroad Company. He 
commenced at the bottom and climbed, step 
by step, until he reached the position of con- 
ductor, which he held for seventeen years. 
Mr. Shauijur was married to Miss Anna Hun- 
stead, of Three Rivers, Miclilgan. Slie was 
born in Pennsylvania, and when she was a 
child her parents removed to Michigan. In 
the fall of 1869 Mr. Shaugur moved to Au- 
dubon County, Iowa, stopping at Louisville 
and working at the carpenter's trade until his 
removal to Exira in 1878. He then engaged 
in the furniture business, and followed it four 
years. His next enterprise was openirg a 
meat market, at the same time embarking in 
the agricultural implement business. In 1882 
Mr. Shaugur established his present business 
in company with AVashington Stuart, under 
the iirra name of F. J. Shaugur & Company, 
which continued until the deatli of F. J. 
Shaugur. The firm name then became D. E. 
Shaugur & Company. Francis J. Shaugur 
was a Royal Arch Mason, and often repre- 
sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. He 
was also a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and of the I. O. O. F. He had served on the 



school board, and as treasurer of Exira. He 
was an active business man, and exhibited 
much public spirit in encouraging all enter- 
prises tending to build up the interests of the 
community. Mr. Shaugur was a delegate to 
the National Convention at St. Louis in 1888, 
which nominated Grover Cleveland for Presi- 
dent of the United States. Four children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaugur — I. E., 
Ada L., wife of Arthur Bartlett; D. E. and 
Frank E. Darius E. is the third child, and 
was a mere lad when his parents removed to 
Iowa. He received his education in the com- 
mon schools, and when quite young began 
clerking in his father's store. Later on he 
worked eight n)onths in the recorder's oflice 
under Otto Witthauer, and afterward formed 
a partnership in his father's business, as be- 
fore stated. 

•°*- "^ * 3 " S ' | "-'~ 



J^^EORGE C. JEFFRIES, dealer in har- 
ness, saddles, robes and whips, Exira, 
was born in Burlington, Iowa, May 13, 
1852. lie is a son of George C. and Mary 
J. (Cady) Jeffries, natives of Kentucky and 
New York respectively, who were early set- 
tlers in Iowa. His father has been a shoe 
merchant in Des Moines for many years, re- 
moving from Burlington to that city when 
our subject was two years old. Here George 
C, Jr., passed his boyhood and attended the 
city schools. After leaving school he learned 
the harness-maker's trade, and also worked at 
brick-laying for several years. He tlien fol- 
lowed shoemaking for a time, and tlien en- 
gaged in farming for two years. In 1887 lie 
embarked in the harness business, opening a 
shop in Exira. He has since carried on a 
good business, and is building up a profitable 
trade. Mr. Jeffries was married in 1874 
to Miss L. E. Fisher, of Carlisle, AVamMi 



7C2 



HI STOUT OF AUDVBON COUNTY. * 



County, Iowa. By this union three children 
have been born — Fred R., Bertie W. and 
Mary E. Mr. Jeifries is a member of E.xo- 
dus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M.; of the 
Knigfits of Pythias; of the A. O. U. W., No. 
251, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
He casts his suffrage with the Republican 
party. Ilis father died in 1881, in the sixty- 
fifth year of his age. 



4 ' i"^ ' a" •" — 

fHOMAS H. KILWORTH, a farmer of 
Audubon County, is an American, not 
by birth, but by adoption. He was born 
in England, September 6, 1829, and in the 
year 1850 came to America and settled in 
Henry County, Illinois. He there owned a 
farm, but carried on his trade of carpenter 
and joiner, having little means and being 
anxious to earn an honest dollar. He re- 
mained in Henry County until 1873, when he 
sold his farm and came to xVudubon County, 
Iowa, settling on his present farm of 160 
acres. The land was in its original wild 
state, and Mr. Kil worth has made all the im- 
provements on tlie place. After breaking out 
the farm and putting it in tame grass, he 
began raising live-stock, handling high grades. 
He added eighty acres to his first purchase, 
and now owns 240 acres of as choice land as 
lies in Audubon County. Mr. Kilworth was 
united in marriage in 1863 to Mary Healey, 
a native of England, in which country the 
marriage took place. Mr. Kilworth has made 
several trips to his native land, having crossed 
the ocean five times. Five children have been 
boru to Mr. and Mrs. Kilworth — Emma, wife 
of Bert Hamlin; Jeannette, wife of Oscar 
Wheeler; John H., Ida May and Earl T., at 
home. Air. Kilworth has served five years as 
school director. In National and State poli- 
tics he votes the Democratic ticket, but in 



local matters he votes for the man who in 
his estimation is best fitted for the position. 
When he came to this country he had no 
means, but by close application to business 
and wise management he has accumulated a 
good competence. He is pronounced in his 
views, yet is liberal and public spirited. 

S ' ^"^ ' ^ 



f CHILLI AM CURTIS, an active farmer 
™l| of Exira Township, was born in Oneida 
"^^^ County, New York, July 14, 1856. 
He is the third son of Joseph and Mary 
(Dipor) Curtis, natives of England, who emi- 
grated to the United States when quite young. 
They were married in Oneida County, New 
York, in the year 1866. Joseph Curtis and 
family removed to Johnson County, Iowa, 
and lived there until 1876, when they moved 
to Audubon County, settling in Greeley 
Township, which is still their home. He was 
a tailor by trade, and for many years worked 
at the business in Hampton, New York. The 
boyhood of William Curtis was passed in his 
native county in attending school. At the 
age of ten years he removed with his parents 
to Johnson County, Iowa, and there continued 
his studies. He remained with his parents 
until he was twenty-four years of age, and 
then he was married to Miss Georgianna 
Watson, second daughter of Thomas and Mary 
A. (Howe) Watson. She was born in Prince- 
ton, Bureau Count}', Illinois, June 20, 1861, 
and at the age of two years was taken by her 
parents to Johnson County, Iowa. Theie she 
resided until she was eighteen years old, at- 
tending school; she also paid some attention 
to music, and wps an accomplished horse- 
woman, taking much pride in riding and the 
training of horses. Mrs. Curtis's parents are 
Scotch-Irish descent; they removed from New 
York to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, and are 



IllOa HA Pino A L S KETCHES. 



7fi3 



still living on the place that has been tlieir 
home for twenty-six years. They began life 
with very little of this world's goods, but by 
industry and good management have acquired 
a comfortable living. They are the parents of 
six children, all of whom are living. After 
his marriage Mr. Curtis spent one year in 
Johnson County, and in the spring of 1882 
he came to Audubon County and settled on his 
present i'arm; this place contains 240 acres, 
all fenced and under cultivation. Mr. Curtis 
has added to the improvements already made 
a comfortable residence and a good barn. He 
has been successful in raising and handling 
live-stock, especially sheep and cattle. Mr. 
and Mrs. Curtis have had born to them five 
children— Charity E., Ellsworth, T. J. Sey- 
mour, Chester Arthur aud C. Florence Ne- 
vada. In politics Mr. Curtis votes with the 
Itepublican party. Recommenced life with- 
out an}' capital, and now has a good farm 
well stocked, to show as a result of industry, 
thrift and wise manajfement. 



-jt-fj- 



jTSAAC n. JENKINS, son of John S. and 
H Malinda (Miller) Jenkins, was born in 
^ Meade County, Kentucky, June 5, 1845. 
His school days were passed in Wapello 
County, Iowa. At the age of nineteen years 
he crossed the plains with Charles Van Gor- 
der, in chai'ge of a provision train. Arriving 
at Central City, Colorado, and having disposed 
of a portion of their effects, they engaged in 
gulch mining. On returning to Audubon 
County Mr. Jenkins was occupied with farm 
work for some time. At one time he took 
charge of a freight train to Denver, Colorado. 
In 1886 he was running a saw-mill at Oak- 
field, Iowa, and met with a very serious acci- 
dent by which he lost one of his fingers; he 
then abandoned this enterprise and spent some 

48 



time in breaking out prairie. March 28, 1868, 
he married Miss Clarissa, daughter of Allen 
Chase; she died five years later, leaving no 
children. In 1874 he formed a copartnership 
with I. r. liallock, J. II. Jerer and D. W. 
Powers, ill a general store at Oakfield; this 
continued in operation for four years. Mr. 
Jenkins was united in marriage to MissMollie, 
daughter of Patrick and Mary Devine, of 
Madison, Wisconsin. They have two children 
— Willis S. and Jennie Irene. When he re- 
tired from the mercantile trade he built his 
present hotel; this was in the winter of 1879, 
and it was the first hotel in Erayton. Mr. 
Jenkins also deals in real estate in partner- 
ship with W. E. Statts. For a time he acted 
as deputy sheriff. 




ILLIAM W. SICKLES, of the firm 
of Ilenshaw & Sickles, Exira, Iowa, 
was born in Warren County, New 
Jersey, near Johnsonburg, September 21, 
1855. He is the oldest son of James S. and 
Henrietta M. (Ward) Sickles. William W. 
passed his early school days in New Jersey, 
being thirteen years old when lie came to 
Clarke County, Iowa; there he spent two 
years. Having a taste for reading he acquired 
an education beyond that of the ordinary 
pupil, and without the aid of an instructor. 
One winter he attei.ded a select school, and 
that practically ended his school days. For 
two years he was employed as a clerk in a 
hardware store, and tlien clerked in a dry- 
goods store in Exira until 1872. After 
spending two years farming he took a trip to 
California. On his return he engaged in the 
sale of farm imjilements for three years, and 
then embarked in the mercantile business on 
his own account. He opened a general stock 
of farm implements in partnership with Mrs. 



764 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



Baylor, now Mrs. Watson. Tliis partnership 
continued twenty-two months, when Mrs. 
J>a_ylor sold her interests to W. N. Ilenshaw, 
a present member of the firm. Ilenshaw & 
Sickles carry a full stock, and are active busi- 
ness men, Mr. Sickles devoting the whole of 
his time to the management of the business. 
In November, 1883, Mr. Sickles was married 
to Mary A. Campbell, of Exira, a daughter 
of E. Campbell, Esq. Mrs. Sickles was born 
in the State of "Wisconsin. By this nnion 
three children were born — Nettie E., George 
A. and Lulu Madge. Mr. Sickles is a mem- 
ber of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. ife A. 
M. He owns a good farm in Exira and 
Hamlin townships, which contains 200 acres; 
it is an admirable stock farm, being watered 
by Davis Creek. The subject of ihis notice 
began life at the bottom round of the ladder, 
but by industry and diligence he has gained 
an enviable position, socially and financially, 
in the county. lie votes with the Repub- 
lican party. 



"t- l x l 't--^ 



KfjUGUST OELKE, an intelligent and 
modest farmer of Hamlin Township, 
"i^ has been identified with the interests 
of Audubon County since 1886. He was 
born in Clayton County, Iowa, and is the 
youngest son of ^Yilliam and Elizabeth 
Oelke. The parents were born in Germany, 
and emigrated to the United States in 1851, 
landing at the city of New Orleans. They 
proceeded immediately to Clayton County, 
Iowa, and settled on a farm, where the father 
lived until death, which occurred in August, 
1888. His wife, who survives him, makes 
her home among her children; she has three 
sons and one daughter — William II., Henry, 
J^>ertha, wife of Fred Splics, and August, the 
subject of this biographical sketch. He ob- 



tained his education in the common schools 
of Clayton County, and became well ac- 
quainttd with the details and management of 
a farm. He spent his leisure time in reading 
profitable books, and so acquired a fund of 
nseful knowledge. He remained at home 
nntil he attained his majority, when he took 
charge of his father's farm. In 1881 he 
bought the place of his father, and worked it 
very snccessfully nntil 1886, when he sold it 
and came to Audubon County. He then 
bought 320 acres in Hamlin Township, one 
and a half miles northwest of Exira. For 
many years this farm was owned by Mr. 
Davis, and is one of tiie best farms in the 
southern part of the county. It has a sub- 
stantial residence, an excellent barn, and 
many valuable improvements. North of the 
barn is a beautiful native grove of timber, 
which is not only valuable for wood, but 
forms a fine wind-break during the cold 
winters so common in this part of the State. 
No farm is better adapted by nature to stock- 
raising than Mr. Oelke's. He is an ex ten - 
sive feeder, using all the grain produced on 
his own farm, and buying thousands of bush- 
els of his neighbors. In 187-4 Mr. Oelke 
was married to Emilie Kregel, of Clayton 
County, Iowa, a daughter of William Kregel. 
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Oelke — l^odo, Nora, Alma, George and Clara. 
Mr. Oelke is an enterprising and public- 
spirited citizen. Politically he is a strong 
Democrat. 

S ' 3 .' t - g- - 



LIVEll II. r. ROBERTS, a successful 
farmer and stock-raiser of Leroy Town- 
ship, was born in Lawrenceburg, Dear- 
born County, Indiana, February 26, 182!t. 
He is the oldest son of Moses and Elmira E. 
(Clark) Roberts. Eben E. Roberts, the father 



lUOG UA PIIWAL SK ETC 11 EH. 



7(i5 



of Moses M. Roberts, was born in the State 
of Maine, and was a soldier in tlie war of 
1812. Moses M. Roberts was also born in 
tho State of Maine, and Almira E. Clark, his 
wife, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, 
and at an early day removed to Dearborn 
County, Indiana. She was the daughter of 
George Clark, who removed to Cincinnati, 
where he was a ship carpenter for many years. 
Moses M. Roberts and family removed from 
Indiana to Illinois, and settled on a farm in 
Henderson County. O. H. P. Roberts was 
at this time about twelve years of age. He 
received only a common -school education, and 
remained on the farm with his parents until 
liis twenty-fourth year, at which time he 
was married to ]\lartha W. Miller, the oldest 
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller. 
In the fall of 1866 Mr. Roberts removed 
with his family to Audubon County, Iowa, 
and settled on a farm in section 1, Leroy 
Township, on the east branch of tho Nish- 
nabotna River. The land was wild, and 
neighbors were few and far between. E. J. 
Freeman, an old and tried friend, was Mr. 
Roberts's most intimate associate, with whom 
he passed many happy hours. On first 
coming to the State his means were limited, 
and there were many hardships to be met, 
and many burdens to be borne; but his cour- 
age and industry were equal to the test, and 
bj diligence and good management he has 
one of the best farms in the neighborhood. 
The place contains 187 acres of choice land 
in a higli state of cultivation. The residence, 
which is a two-story frame building, stands 
in the midst of a natural grove. There are 
also many pines and cedars growing near the 
house, which add to the attractiveness of the 
place as no other foliage can. Although they 
were planted by Mr. Roberts, they liave 
grown to be forty or fifty feet in height. The 
farm is well stocked with the best grades of 



live-stock, and everything is arranged with 
an eye to convenience and ease in the care of 
them. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have seven 
children — William S., Robert C, Ida L., 
Herbert M., Mary E., Lewis W. and Oscar 
P. Mr. Roberts has been officially identified 
with his township as trustee, and also as 
clerk. He is a member of Veritas Lod<>-e, 
No. 302, A. F. & A. M. In political mat- 
ters he is rather conservative. He was a 
staunch Union man during the war, and 
offered his services to his country, but was 
not accepted, on account of ill-health. In 
National elections he votes the Democratic 
ticket, but in local affairs he votes for the 
man best fitted for the office, regardless of 
party ties. , 



^..£*^«^ 



fOSEPHUS LEWIS, one of Audubon 
County's honored citizens, and a suc- 
cessful farmer and stock-raiser of Ham- 
lin Township, was born in Delaware County, 
New York, near the village of Delhi, March 
22, 1814. He is a son of Henry and Mercy 
(Ilolloway) Lewis, the father being a native 
of Sclioliarie County, New York, of Low 
Dutch descent, and tlie mother a native of 
Dutchess County, New York. After their 
marriage they removed to Delaware County, 
and there passed the remainder of their days. 
The father was twice married, and had two 
children by his first wife, and seven by tlio 
second. Josephus Lewis, the youngest son 
of the second marriage, passed his boyhood 
and school days in Delaware County, New 
York. He remained with his parents until 
he was eighteen years old, when he engaged 
in the lumber business and farming. His 
father having dealt in lumber for many 
years, a good opportunity was afibrded him 
to learn the details of the trade, in which he 



k 



76C 



HI STOUT OF AUDUBON COUNTt. 



was uniformly successful. In June, 1843, 
Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Melissa 
Barlow, an accomplished lady of Delaware 
County, New York, the only daughter of 
John and Deborah (Kichols) Barlow, natives 
of the State of New York. After his mar- 
riage, Josephus Lewis and wife settled on a 
farm in Delaware County, New York, and 
lived there until 1868, when they removed 
to Audubon County, Iowa. Mr. Lewis then 
purchased 320 acres of prairie land. The 
country was sparsely settled, and the thoughts 
of Mrs. Lewis often wandered back to her 
home in New York as she was caring for her 
little family; but as time rolled on settlers 
came, and the newness seemed to wear away. 
Mr. Lewis has devoted most of his time to 
raising cattle and hogs. AVith the latter he 
has been extraordinarily successful, raising 
from 150 to 200 head aiiiHially, and realizing 
handsomely upon them. His farm is watered 
by the Nislmabotna River, and its banks are 
skirted by a beautiful grove of hard-wood 
timber. All the products of the farm are 
fed on the place, and Mr. Lewis buys large 
quantities of grain from neighboring farmers. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have four children — De 
Witt C. took a literary course at the State 
University at Iowa City, studied law at Ann 
Arbor, Michigan, and is now a prominent 
attorney in Moiitesano, Washington Ter- 
ritory; Minerva, the older daughter, was 
graduated from the literary and medical de 
partmeiits of the Iowa State University, and 
is now in the enjoyment of a good practice; 
ilomer is in Turner County, Dakota; Kose 
is the wife of Dr. J. M. Louthan, of Spear- 
lish, Dakota. Mr. Lewis is now in his 
seventy-fifth year, but still superintends his 
farm. His wife is in her seventy-second 
year, and is strong in body and mind. She 
comes of a family of vigorous constitutions. 
Her father was a native of England, and her 



mother of New York. They emigrated to 
Nova Scotia, and removed thence to Dela- 
ware County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lewis have led an industrious and frugal 
life, and have laid by a competence for their 
declining years. 



►>4^ 



LPUEUS F. IlODGERS,a model 
farmer of Leroy Township, section 9, 
<^ was born in the State of Michigan, 
Cass County, near Dowagiac, February 15, 
1839. He is the third child of Samuel and 
Margaret (Burk) Rodgers. The mother was 
a native of Virginia, and a daughter of 
AVilliam Burk. The father was born in 
Preble County, Ohio, October 13, 1810. 
He grew to manhood in his native State, 
and at an early day removed to Michigan, 
where lie carried on farming and milling 
as a business. He served as a soldier in the 
Black Hawk war. He received land war- 
rants, with a portion of which he located land 
adjoining his home. He is still living, and 
is a resident of Benton Harbor, Michigan. 
A. F. Rodgers passed his early boyhood in 
Michigan, receiving the advantage of a good 
common-school education. In the year 1854 
he removed with his parents to La Salle 
County, Illinois, and worked on the farm 
with ills lather until he reached his majority; 
he then began life on his own account, fol- 
lowins; farmins until 1864, when he started 
for the mines of Idaho and Montana. He 
left Omaha the 3d day of May, and arrived in 
Virginia City the 10th day of July. He 
engaged in mining in Last Chance and Hard 
Scrabble gulches, built a cabin, and the first 
hotel buildins in what is now Helena, the 
capital of Montana. Returning to Seneca, 
Illinois, he opened a meat-market and dealt 
in live-stock. Afterward he went into the 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



767 



lumber business, which he conducted suc- 
cessfully until 1878. In March, 1879, Mr. 
Rodgers went to Audubon County, Iowa, and 
in March of the following year he moved his 
family to Audubon. October 21, 1880, he 
moved on his present farm, and devotes his 
time to general farming. He endeavors to 
raise good grades of stock, believing that it 
costs uu more to raise a good animal than a 
poor one. The place is well provided with 
buildings fur the protection of live-stock. Mr. 
liodgers WHS married August 23, 1859, to 
Miss Caroline Hurlburt, a daushter of Will- 
iam and Laurinda Hnrlburt, of La Salle 
County, Illinois. Mr. Kodgers is a member 
of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A.M.; of 
Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M.; and of 
Blaney Commandery, No. 5,K. T., at Morris, 
Illinois. In politics he is a Republican. 
Mrs. Rodgers's father was born and reared in 
Massachusetts; her mother was a native of 
New York State. Her parents were married 
in Ohio, and afterward removed to Illinois. 
The grandfather of A. F. Rodgers was Alex- 
ander Rodgers, who married Miss Margaret 
Culton. a native of Rockbridge County, 
Virginia. 

•-■ "d, ' 3 »' S - ^" -" 



[EOKGE E. COTTON, proprietor of 
the Oakfield Flouring Mills, at Oakfield, 
Iowa, was born in Genesee County, 
New York, near the town of Attica, Septem- 
ber G, 1834. His father, Owen Cotton, was 
a native of the State of Vermont, and was an 
early settler of western New York. He was 
a millwright by trade, and at dift'erent times 
owned several mills. Laura Adams Cotton, 
the mother of George W., was a daughter of 
Major Permine Adams, who was proininent 
in politics and represented his district twelve 
years in Congress. She was born in (len- 



esee County, New York, and was there reared 
and married. After her marriage her hus- 
band settled there, and both remained there 
the balance of their days. They were the 
parents of seven children, six of whom sur- 
vive. George E. Cotton was the second child, 
and his boyhood days were passed in his 
native county, where he received the advan- 
tages afforded by the district school. lie re- 
mained at home until he attained his twent}'- 
first year. In 1853 he went to Wisconsin, 
and staid there one season in a mill which his 
father owned ; he then returned to New York, 
and in the fall of 1855 he went to dnaha, 
Nebraska, remaining there about twelve 
months. Crossing the Missouri River to 
the Iowa side he stopped at a place called 
Macedonia, and there entered the employ of 
J. B. Stutsman, who owned a flourin? mill at 
that place. He continued to fill this position 
for four 3'ears, and in the fall of 1859 he went 
to Lewis, Cass County, Iowa, where he su- 
perintended a mill for five years. In 1865 
he removed to Oakfield, Iowa, and {lurchased 
a half interest in the grocery store of D. M. 
Clover, which partnership terminated at the 
end of one year, both parties sellincr out. 
He then went to Oskaloosa, where he was 
employed in a distillery for three years. He 
next went to Monona County, Iowa, and 
worked two years in a mill; thence he went 
to Adel, Dallas County, spending twelve 
months there. The two years following were 
passed in a mill at Panora, Guthrie County. 
In the fall of 1878 he came to Oakfield and 
purchased the Oakfield Mills of Isaac P. Hal- 
lock, since which time he has done a general 
milling business. He has put in a sorghum 
attachment, with a capacity of 500 gallons 
per day. Mr. Cotton was married in 1862 to 
Miss Mary llinns, of Cass County, Iowa; she 
was born in Wakefield, England, and was 
brought by her parents to the United States 



I 



768 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTT. 



when she was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cotton have had born to tliem eight children 
' —John O., William E., Lizzie S. (wife of O. 
F. Ide), George "VV., Charles E., Alexander 
L., J. Ernest and Mary. Mr. Cotton was 
appointed postmaster of Macedonia under 
James Buchanan's administration, and served 
f(.)ur years. He has filled the offices of town- 
ship trustee and of justice of the peace at 
Oakfield. lie is a member of Lewis Lodge, 
No. 113, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a 
staunch Democrat, especially in State and 
National affairs. In local politics he votes 
for the man best fitted in his estimation to 
fill the position. 



^ILBEKT S. D. MASON, a successful 
cattle-feeder of Viola Township, was 
born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 
the city of Philadelphia, October 7, 1840. 
He is a son of William K. and Margaret 
(Comley) Mason, natives of Delaware and 
Pennsylvania respectively. Both parents died 
in the city of Philadelphia. Gilbert S. D. 
Mason was educated in the scliools of his 
native city. Although his father was one of 
the principal wholesale merchants of Phila- 
delphia, he made up his mind to be a farmer, 
and accordingly began this occupation in 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at the age of 
seventeen years. In 1873 he i-emoved from 
Bucks County to Carroll County, Iowa, set- 
tling upon a farm five miles south of Arca- 
dia. This place contained 200 acres, which 
Mr. Mason improved and used as a cattle 
farm until he removed to Audubon County, 
Iowa, in 1883. He located on his present 
farm in Viola Township, which was known 
for many years as the Ilawer farm, and which 
at that time contained IGO acres. Mr. Mason 
has made additioruil purchases of land until 



his farm now covers 320 acres of choice land 
in a high state of cultivation, beautifully sit- 
uated on the waters of the Nishnabotna River. 
While it is well suited to small grains, it is 
admirably adapted to stock-farming. In 1862 
Mr. Mason was married to Miss Martha, the 
eldest daughter of Josiah and Mary (Crous- 
dale) Tomlinson, descendants from families 
of Quakers who came to Pennsylvania with 
William Penn, and settled in Byberry, Mont- 
gomery County, Pennsylvania. Land tracts 
of the old Penn purchase are still in the fam- 
ily name. The old Penn chestnut-tree still 
stands upon the homestead, twenty-four miles 
north of Philadelphia. By this union ten 
children were born, all of whom survive — 
John li., Lewis L., Gilbert S., Jr., Philip S., 
William R., Josiah T., George W., Paul B., 
Emma M. and Benjamin F. In politics Mr. 
Mason is rather conservative. In Carroll 
County he served on the school board for 
seven years, and held other township offices. 
The Masons descended from an old English 
family, and were early settlers of Connecti- 
cut, removing from that State to Delaware. 
The Grandfather Comley was an officer of 
marines in the war of 1812, and died in the 
service at the Piiiladelphia navy yard. 



.o. .,. ^ . ; .. ; . ^ .. .> 

■T-T.T:ILLIAM J. WALKER, an active 
' :\ }j!i farmer of Hamlin Township, was 

i^^Sy^r] born in Pike County, Missouri, Sep- 
tember 21, 1834. He is a son of Thomas B. 
and Polly (Berry) Walker. The father was 
born in Virginia, but was reared in the State 
of South Carolina; the mother was a native of 
Missouri, and died when William J. was three 
years old. Thomas Walker was again mar- 
ried, to Susan E. Lyons, of Clinton County, 
Iowa, and resided in Iowa until his seventy- 
fifth year, when he removed to southwestern 



BIOORAPniGAL SKBTCUES. 



7G9 



Nebraska; he died there October 19, 1888, in 
his seventy-ninth ye.ar. He had three chil- 
dren by his first marriage and eight by the 
last. William J. Walker passed his boyhood 
and school days in Clinton County. He re- 
ceived the educational advantages of the dis- 
trict school, which were somewhat meager. 
He remained with his parents until his nine- 
teenth year, when he was married to Matilda 
H. Mitchell, of Clinton County, Iowa. Mrs. 
AValker was born in Adrian, Michigan, and 
is the daiiirliter of Charles M. and Elizabeth 
(Row) Mitchell; she came to Iowa with her 
parents when a child of eight years. After 
his marriage Mr. Walker settled on a farm in 
Clinton County, and resided thereuntil 1877, 
when he removed to Audubon County, and 
located on his present farm in Hamlin Town- 
ship. The place contains eighty acres of 
excellent land, and he has made many valua- 
ble improvements. F'onr children liave been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker — Oscar E., in 
business in Omaha; Edward W., a farmer; 
Ferry H. and Wilber L., both at liome. Mr. 
AValker 8])ent two years in Dakota, and im- 
proved a homestead there, but on account of 
the severe winters returned to Iowa. 

S - ] ' tt - g ... ^ 



lOP.ERT SIZER was born in Lincoln- 
shire, England, January 13, 1840, and 
is a son of George and Jane (Randalls) 
Sizer, who remained in the old country, the 
father being a small farmer. When ten years 
old Robert Sizer emigrated to the United 
States with his uncle, John Barker. They 
proceeded by water to Davenport, Iowa, stop- 
ping there one year; from Davenport Robert 
went to Comanche, Iowa, remaining there 
about twelve months; at the expiration of this 
time he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and 
was there employed on a farm, working by 



the month for four years. He then left the 
State of Iowa and went to Camden, Illinois, 
and worked in a brick-yard one summer. 
Mercer County, Illinois, was liis next place of 
abode, and he remained there until 18G1, at 
which time he returned to Jackson County, 
Iowa. In August, 1861, Mr. Sizer joined the 
M. S. Lancers, three months' men, who were 
engaged in State service. After this com- 
pany disbanded he returned to Jackson County. 
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 
Twentj^-fonrth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
was sent to Muscatine, Iowa. On the organi- 
zation of the regiment he was sent to Helena, 
Arkansas, at which place he scouted and 
skirmished until 1862; he then entered Gen- 
eral Grant's campaign and took part in all 
the engagements; among them are Fort Gib- 
son, Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, 
which lasted forty-two days, many skirmishes 
and small engagements. After the fall of 
Vicksburg he was assigned to the chief de- 
partment under General Banks, and later he 
was transferred to the department under 
General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, 
taking part in all the engagements of that 
campaign. After some further service he was 
ordered to Davenport, Iowa, and was honor- 
ably discharged and received his pay. Re- 
turning to Jackson County, Iowa, Mr. Sizer 
engaged in farming, which he followed suc- 
cessfully until the spring of 1881, when he 
removed to Audnbou County, Iowa, and jiur- 
chased his present farm in Hamilton Town- 
ship; the farm contains 310 acres, wliich at 
that time had no improvements in the waj' of 
buildings. The land is now under a ]ii<rh 
state of cultivation, and there is a substantial 
residence attractivelysurrounded by evergreen 
trees. Mr. Sizer was united in marriajjc Janu- 
ary 4, 1865, to Anna, the youngest daughter 
of John and Sarah Davis, of Jackson County, 
Iowa. Mrs. Sizer was born in Canada. Five 



I 



770 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. . 



cliildren have been born of this union — Thad- 
dens, Sarah E., Clara, James, and one child 
that died in infancy. Mr. Sizer is a member 
of Allison Post, No. 31, G. A. R. He began 
his career penniless and among strangers, bnt 
by energy and industry he has accumulated a 
goodly competence for his declining years. 



iANIEL W. HENDRICKS is a success- 
ful farmer of Viola Township, Audu- 
bon County, who was born in Macoupin 
County, Illinois, December 5, 1834. His 
father, William W. Hendricks, a native' of 
North Carolina, removed with his parents to 
Kentucky when nine years of age. Pie was 
there married to Miss Susanna Sears, a native 
of Kentucky, and a daughter of Samuel Sears, 
of German descent. The grandfather of Dan- 
iel W. Hendricks was William Hendricks, of 
HoUandisli and German extraction. He was 
an early settler of New Jersey, and a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war. Four of his broth- 
ers also fought in the Revolution. Daniel 
W. Hendricks is the seventh of a family of 
nine children, all of whom lived to maturity 
■ — Malinda C, Granville S., Melvina F., died 
in 1888; Sarah C, died in 1887; John T., 
William W., Daniel W., Samuel M. and Mar- 
tin V. All were married and raised families, 
with the exce])tion of John T. The subject 
of this notice was nine years old when the 
family started to Marion County, Iowa. The 
father died in Lee County in 1843, while 
en route to Marion County. The winter was 
passed in Jefferson County, and in the spring 
the journey was continued to Marion County. 
The family settled near Pella, and there Dan- 
iel remained three and a half years. He 
then removed to Polk County with his parents 
and settled eight miles east of Des Moines, 
remaining there six years. He then went to 



Decatur County, Iowa, with his parents, and 
there made his home for seven years. At 
the end of that time he went to Jasper County 
and settled near Prairie City, on a farm, where 
he lived fourteen years. He sold out in the 
spring of 1880 and came to Audubon County, 
locating on his present farm, on section 13 
Viola Township. There are 280 acres in the 
place, forty of which had been homesteaded 
and improved by Albert Ilocket. Mr. Hen- 
dricks was united in marriage, in 18G1, to 
Martha, oldest daughter of Henderson and 
Eliza (Hart) Taylor. Mrs. Hendricks was 
born in Kentucky, and removed with lier 
parents to Decatur County, Iowa, when a 
child of twelve years. Five children have 
been born of this marriage — William II., 
Granville E., Eliza E., wife of C. A. Yaager; 
Charles B. and Susanna. Mr. Hendricks has 
served as township trustee, and is also trustee 
of the Viola Cemetery. He and his wife are 
members of the German Baptist church. In 
politics he is a staunch Democrat. 



S ' ^"^ ' S" '" 

ITARLES A. W. COLEE, a native of 
Shelby County, Indiana, was born 
March 6, 1854, and is a son of Julius 
and Mary (Oliphant) Colee, natives of Indi- 
ana and North Carolina respectively. He was 
reared to the life of a farmer, and obtained 
his education in the common schools. At the 
age of fourteen years he went to learn the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed four 
years. He then engaged with A. II. Ilollen- 
beck, of Indianapolis, Indiana, as traveling 
salesman. He continued in this business six 
months, and then went to Champaign County, 
Illinois, and worked on a farm for two years; 
thence he went to Rock Island County, Illi- 
nois, and remained there for three years. 
There he was married August 30, 1876, to 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



771 



Mis8 Sarah Hays, a daughter of F. and Mary 
(Robins) Hays, who was bom in Rock Island 
County, Illinois, July 16, 1852. They are the 
parents of live children — Julius F., Mary Ina, 
Ida Fay, Orin Chatnian and Charles A. After 
tlieir marriage they settled on a tract of eighty 
acres of raw prairie in section 1, Greeley 
Township. Mr. Colee has added to his first 
purchase and now owns 120 acres of as fine 
land as lies within the borders of Audubon 
County. He has erected a beautiful frame 
residence in place of the small house first 
built upon the farm. He has also erected all 
the necessary buildings for stock and grain. 
Tiie entire farm is seeded down to grass, and 
Mr. Colee devotes his time to stock-raising 
and shipping. He also gives some attention 
to auctioneering, in which he is very success- 
ful. He is energetic and enterprising, and 
has risen to his present position of finan- 
cial independence through his own cffbrts. 
Mr. Colee affiliates with the Republican party, 
taking an active part in the political issues of 
the county. He has been urged to accept 
various township offices, but is not an aspi- 
rant in that direction. He and his wife are 
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and always lend a helping hand in any 
work that will advance the cause of Chris- 
tianity. 

•°^' ^ ' S"i ' |" -*" 



^AWRENCE A. BEERS, physician and 
surgeon. Gray, Iowa, is a native of the 
State of Ohio, born in Fredericktown, 
Kno.x County, November 12, 1856. He is a 
sonof Asher and Ella (Coleman) Beers. His 
grandparents were among the early settlers 
of Knox County, and often had to resort to 
the fort for protection. They still reside 
in Knox County, and have had born to them 
two children — Clio, tlie wife of Jacob Clow, 



a resident of Marshall County, Iowa, and 
Lawrence A. ]:5eers, M. D. Our subject 
spent liis youtli in his native county, obtain- 
ing his early education in the common scliool. 
He took up the study of medicine with Dr. 
S. B. Potter, of Fredericktown, Ohio; he took 
a course of lectures at the Columbus Medical 
College under Professor Hamilton, and later 
a course in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. 
Dr. Beers then came west, and liegan the 
practice of his profession in MitchellvilJe, 
Iowa, remaining there four years. He was 
then obliged to abandon his practice for a 
time on account of failing health. In 1886 
he located in Gray, Iowa, and there resumed 
his practice, in which he has been very 'suc- 
cessful. Dr. Beers was united in marriage 
in 1881 to Miss Eva J. Talmage, of Monroe, 
Jasper County, Iowa; she is the daughter of 
Jonathan Talmage, Esq. Three children 
have been born of this union — Edna, Charles 
and Clio. The Doctor is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias at Manning, Iowa. 

•^'l' l >> l ' t "^ 



ALENTINE BAUER, of Viola Town- 
ship, was born on a farm in Germany, 
February 14, 1840, and is a son of Mi- 
chael and Mary (Matias) Bauer, who died in 
their native country. Valentine started to 
school at the age of six years, and continued 
to attend until he was fourteen years old. He 
then went to work on his father's farm, and 
remained there until he was twenty-two years 
old. Wishing to see the new world and try 
what fortune it might yield to him, he sailed 
{rom the harbor at Bremen for the United 
States, the voyage lasting eight weeks. He 
arrived in the city of New York and remained 
there two months, visiting two sisters who 
were living in that city. On leaving New 
York he went to Madison County, Illinois, 



772 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



and went to work on a farm for 60 cents per 

day ; at the end of two years he came to Lyons, 
Clinton County, Iowa, and worked on a fiirm 
by the month until 1871,when he rented afarm 
and worked it six years on his own account. 
In the spring of 1879 he removed to Audubon 
County, having bought eighty acres of land 
there the previous fall at the rate of $9 per acre. 
He built a house and set out a grove, and a 
year later lie purchased an additional eighty 
acres; he sowed most of it in wheat, upon 
which he realized very handsomely. He has 
since bought eighty acres more, making 240 
acres, most of which is under cultivation and 
well fenced. He devotes some attention to 
live-jBtock, breeding common stock. Mr. Bauer 
was married in October, 1873, to Elizabeth, 
the oldest daughter of Levi and Anna (Whit- 
ney) Shadduck, natives of Pennsylvania and 
New York respectively. She was born and 
reared in Clinton County, Iowa, her parents 
having come to the Territory of Iowa in 1839. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are the parents of two 
children — Frank and Mary. By a former 
marriage to John Hill, Mrs. Bauer had five 
children — Addie, Arthur, George, Gertrude 
and Grant. Mr. Bauer has served as town- 
ship trustee and as assessor, also as a school 
director. He is a member of Charity 
Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., at Coon 
Kapids. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members 
of the church at Viola Centre; Mrs. Bauer 
teaches in the Sabbath-school, and Mr. Bauer 
is treasurer of the same. 



^ON. JACOB A. OVERIIOLTZEli.- 
^Ij Among the farmers of Viola Township 
who have contributed to its wealth and 
influence, we mention Jacob A. Overholtzer. 
He is the fifth child of Jacob and Catherine 
(Anglemire) Overholtzer, and was born in 



Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near Lan- 
caster City, February 13, 1841. Jacob Over- 
holtzer, the father of our subject, was a Penn- 
sylvania farmerof prominence, and his father 
Jacob Overholtzer, was from Germany. 
Jacob Overholtzer, the father of Jacob A., 
removed with his family from Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, to Ogle County, Illi- 
nois, in which place he made his home until 
his death, which occurred in 1866; his wife 
died March 20, 1875. Jacob A. received a 
good common-school education. He re- 
mained with his parents until his twentieth 
year, when there was a call for men to defend 
the flag of this nation. He enlisted in the 
Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Company B, and 
was assigned to the western army, servincr 
three years and four months. He took part 
in the following skirmishes and engagements: 
Second battle of Corinth, siege of Corinth, 
battle of luka, Island No. 10, Fort Macleid, 
Coffeeville, battle of West Point, Missis- 
sippi, Colliersvilleand BoUiver, and took part 
in the Greason raid, which started from La- 
Grange, Tennessee, and ended at Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana, known as the first raid of 
the western army. In the last he was 
wounded in the foot and disabled for three 
months. He was sent to Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, spending six months there, and was 
mustered out of the service at Springfield, 
Illinois, in November, 1864. He then re- 
turned to Ogle County, Illinois, and engaged 
in the more peaceful pursuit of farming. In 
June, 1879, Mr. Overholtzer removed his 
family to Audubon County, Iowa, locating 
upon his present farm in Viola Township. 
He first purchased 160 acres, on which he 
built a comfortable residence and other neces- 
sary buildings. He has added to the farm 
at diff'erent times until his estate covers 680 
acres. The home farm is watered by the 
Nishnabotna River, and all the land is in a 



BIOQRAPUICAL SKBTOIIES. 



liigh state of cultivation. Mr. Overholtzer 
devotes special attention to the raising and 
feeding of live-stoclc, shipping from one to 
five car-loads annually. September 6, 1868, 
he was married to Clarissa F. Ferrin, of Car- 
roll County, Illinois, the third daughter of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Pieston) Ferrin. Six 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Orerholtzer — Alice L., formerly a student at 
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, now a 
teacher in Stuart schools; Oscar L., a student 
at Drake University, Des Moines; Katie M., 
Merritt P., Ralph F. and Lavisa. In 1883 
Mr. Overholtzer was elected a member of the 
General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and 
in 1885 he was re-elected, both times on the 
Republican ticket. He acquitted himself 
with credit, taking an active part in advocat- 
ing and passing some important bills, among 
which was the bill appropriating money and 
locating the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, 
Iowa. In the last session he assisted in the 
introduction and passage of bills providing 
for the election of the railroad commission- 
ers by the people, and the public distribution 
of school-books in the several counties. Mr. 
Overholtzer is an active member of tiie 
Methodist Episcopal church, and is a mem- 
ber of Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. E. In 
the fall of 1888 he was elected president of 
the Audubon County Agricultural Society, 
lie is a public-spirited man, ready and will- 
ing to assist in any enterprise tiiat will be 
of advantage to the community. 



5SAAC W. REED, of the firm of Reed 
Brothers, extensive fanners and dealers in 
live-stock, has been a resident of Audubon 
County since 1883. He is the second of a 
family of eleven ciiildrcn, eight of whom sur- 
vive. The father, John Reed, is a native of 



Pennsylvania, and was born in 1812. The 
mother, Mary (Brewer) Reed, was born in 
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and 
after her marriage to John Reed they came 
to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and settled near 
Montezuma, where they remained until 1883, 
when they came to Audubon County. They 
now reside in Leroy Township. Isaac W. 
Reed was born in "Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania, August 4, 1857, and at the age 
of twelve years came to Poweshiek County, 
Iowa, with his parents. He received the ad- 
vantages of a district school education, and 
was thorougiily drilled in the details and 
management of a farm. He remained with 
his parents until his majority, when he formed 
a partnership with his brother, John J. Reed, 
under the firm name of Reed Brothers. They 
began farming by renting the farm of C. II. 
Cross for six years. In the spring of 1889 
they rented and moved to the farm of John 
C. Bonwell, which covers 720 acres. They 
have the farm well stocked, and employ three 
men, and run five teams during the busy sea- 
son. In the season of 1888 they raised 10,- 
000 bushels of corn. They fatten from fifty 
to 100 head of cattle annually. The Reed 
Pirothers are very successful farmers, devoting 
their whole time to the business. The grand- 
father of Isaac W. Reed was Isaac Reed, who 
removed from beyond the Alleghany Mount- 
ains and settled in Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania, at an early day. He was de- 
scended from an old English family, three 
or four generations of whom were born in 
America. Isaac Reed married Miss Jannett 
tlolinson, and reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren. The mother of Isaac W. Reed, Mary 
(Brewer) Reed, is a daughter of Henry 
Brewer, of German descent, and Mary (Ran- 
dolph) Brewer, who reared a large family. 
Mary (Brewer) Reed was born ^farch 22, 
1811), and is the mother of twelve children. 



774 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



eight of whom are living — James Z., John J. 
and Isaac W. (twins), William, Herman E., 
A. C, Mar}' E., Harriet M., and four who 
died in childhood. Isaac Iteed, the grand- 
father of Isaac W., was a spy during the 
Indian troubles in the early settlement of 
Pennsylvania. 



IHARLES HOFFMAN, an active and 
successful farmer of Viola Township, 
was born in Holstein, Germany, De- 
cember 3, 1844. He is tlie son of Charles 
and Celie Hofl'man, who emigrated to the 
United States when our subject was four 
years old. They landed at the city of New 
Orleans, and came up the river to Davenport, 
Iowa, where they settled. The father was a 
lislierman by occupation. He died in the 
year 1880, and tlie mother died in tlie year 
1878. In his childhood Charles spent little 
time in school, as he was needed to assist his 
father. In later years he went to work on a 
farm for a man named Bennett, on condition 
tiiat he was to go to school a portion of the 
time. This contract resulted in three years' 
wori< and one week's schooling, a deprivation 
to wiiich there is none other equal. Charles 
returned to Davenport and remained there a 
year, being unable to work. In August, 1862, 
at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in 
the Union army, in Company G, Twentieth 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to St. 
Louis, Missouri, tiience to Arkansas, and 
thence to Vicksburg, where he took part in 
the siege. In 18G3 liis regiment was sent to 
I'ort Hudson, and tliere did duty as guards 
and in attending tlie sick for tiiree months. 
He was then ordered to New Orleans, thence 
to Mustang Island. After si.x montlis lie 
was sent to Te.xas, being stationed at l»rowns- 
villc. His next order was to go to Mobile 



Bay, and after some skirmishing there he was 
mustered out, receiving his discharge at Clin- 
ton, Iowa, in July, 1865. He then returned 
to Davenport and there worked two years in 
a lime-kiln. In the spring of 1871 he came 
to Audubon County and settled on his present 
farm, which was then raw prairie. He first 
bought eighty acres, and now owns 200 acres, 
well improved. He was married in 1866 to 
Miss Mary J. Baker, a daughter of Robert 
and Eliza (Owen) Baker, of Davenport, Iowa. 
By this marriage seven children have been 
born — Charles O., William IL, Christopher 
A., Robert L., James, Roy V. and Lillie 
May. By industry and good management 
Mr. Hoffman has acquired a valuable prop- 
erty, and his honorable dealing has won the 
confidence and respect of all wlio know him. 






MOS TEAKLE is the pioneer breeder 
and importer of Clydesdale liorses in 
Audubon County. The first pure- 
blooded Clydesdale horse brought to the 
county was imported directly from Scotland 
by Singmaster and Sons, noted stockmen and 
importers of Keokuk County, Iowa. This 
animal was purchased by Mr. Teak! e in 1883, 
and much credit is due him for tlie advance- 
ment that has been made in this industry. 
He now owns two tine horses: Leekie Lad, 
registered in the Stud Book of Great Britain, 
No. 1,725; in the American Registry, No. 
835. Sir Matthew is registered in the Scotch 
book. No. 6,299; and in the American book. 
No. 3,548. Mr. Teakle's farm is in Douglas 
Township, and is fitted up for breeding pur- 
jioses. Our subject was Iwrn in Juniata 
County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1850. His 
father, Tiiomas Teakle, was a native of Eng- 
laml, wiio emigrated to America when a 
young man. He married Jane Gemmill, a 



BIOORAPHWAL SKBTUJfES. 



native of Scotland, and a daughter of Will- 
iam Geininill. After bis marriage Thomas 
Teakle settled in Pennsylvania, and there 
carried on farming for along period of years. 
He sold his farm and removed with his 
family to Keokuk County, Iowa, in 1869, 
and resided there until his deatli, which oc- 
curred in 1876; his wife passed away two 
years later, in 1878. Amos Teakle is the 
oldest of six children, four boys and two girls, 
all of whom are living. He was reared to 
farm life, and continued to follow this occu- 
pation until his majority, when he engaged 
in feeding hogs and cattle; later he turned 
his attention to the breeding of horses. Mr. 
Teakle was married to Miss Maggie Booth, 
of Keokuk County, Iowa, a native of Scot- 
land, and a daughter of "William Booth. 
They have had three children born to them — 
Agnes, Thomas and Jane. Mr. Teakle is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, Audubon 
Lodge, No. 163. 



-■■^•3Ml-g-— 

fACOB GARKATT, one of the agricult- 
urists of Viola Township, has been a 
resident of Audubon County since 1883. 
He was born in the Dominion of Canada, 
Province of Ontario, in August, 1850. His 
father, Edward Garratt, was a native of Eng- 
land, and his mother, Mary, A. Stong, was 
born in Canada. Eight children were born 
to the parents, of whom Jacob is the sixth. 
He received a common-scliool education, and 
was trained to the duties of a farmer's son, 
his father removing to Ogle County, Illinois, 
and settling on a farm there. The father died 
in Cook County, Illinois, in 1866, and the 
mother died in 1854. Jacob Garratt spent 
most of his youth in Ogle County, Illinois, 
and later removed to Cook County, which lie 
made his home until 1867. He then went 



back to Ogle County, and was there married 
to Miss Susan E. Sanborn, of that county, a 
daughter of Ambrose Sanborn, Esq. In Oc- 
tober, 1883, Mr. Garratt removed to Audu- 
bon County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in 
section 9, Viola Township. The farm con- 
sists of 120 acres, and is well improved, with 
a good residence, and buildings for stock. 
While he is no political aspirant, our suly'ect 
votes the Democratic ticket. He commenced 
life for himself with limited means, and to- 
day owns valuable property. Mrs. Garratt's 
mother was Elizabeth Good, Mrs. Garratt 
being her eldest daughter. 



EORGE W. WOOD, a farmer of Lincoln 
Township, was born in Mercer County, 
Illinois, April 1, 1862. He is the young- 
est of six children of John and Caroline (Van 
Buskirk) AYood, who were early settlers of 
Pickaway County, Ohio, which was their na- 
tive State. They removed to Wisconsin, and 
thence to Mercer County, Illinois, in 1861; 
they made that their home until 1866, when 
they went to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and 
settled on a farm nqar Grinnell. At the end 
of one year they moved to Madison County, 
Iowa, and settled near AVinterset; there they 
continued to reside until 1874, when they 
came to Audubon County, Iowa, and located 
on a farm in section 35; the land was new and 
unimproved; the first purchase contained 240 
acres, a part of which was afterward sold. 
The father died in Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
and the mother was married to Joseph Sny- 
der. They lived on their present farm for 
several years and then rented the ])lace and 
removed to Nebraska, where the mother died 
June 16, 1888. There were no children born 
of the second marriage; the children by the 
first husband were — Sarah (deceased), wife of 



770 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



E. W. Jones; Grandval. died at the age of six 
years; Emily (deceased); Laura, wife of Albert 
Adkinson; Willis G., and George W., the 
subject of this notice. He was reared to the 
occupation of a farmer, and in 1885 he went 
with his mother and step-father to Nebraska, 
devoting his time to hunting and trapping on 
the waters of the Ponca Creek; the game was 
otter, beaver and coon; during the season he 
shot prairie chickens for the Omaha market, 
which he made quite profitable. In the fall 
of 1888 he returned to Lincoln Township, 
and settled on the farm of 120 acres which 
his mother had willed to him. Mr. Wood 
devotes his time to general farming pursuits, 
and is one of the enterprising young agricult- 
urists of the township. His grandfather, on 
his mother's side, was John Van Buskirk, an 
early settler of Pickaway County, Ohio, of 
Hollandish descent. 

-*"'^S" ^ ' S * 1 '""^ 



jHILIP BICKELHAUPT, an act- 
m ive farmer of Viola Township, was born 
in Germany, near Berlin, Jnne 15, 1844. 
He is the fifth of a family of six children, five 
of whom lived to be grown. His parents 
were Jacob and Martha (Kcreman) Bickel- 
liaupt, who were born in Germany, and lived 
and died in their native country. Philip at- 
tended school until he was fourteen years old, 
and at that early age he was desirous of trying 
his fortunes in the new west. He embarked 
on a sailing vessel for the United States, and 
made the voyage in fifty-four days, the first 
part of the journey being attended with very 
severe storms. He landed in New Orleans, 
and from that city went to St. Louis by water; 
from St. Louis he went to Chicago, Illinois, 
and remained there one week; his finances 
were by this time quite reduced, so that he 
pawned his clothes for $5 in order to get 



money to go to Eulton, Illinois. There he 
secured work in a cigar factory, and afterward 
went to work on a farm where he staid two 
years. He then went to Morrison, Illinois, 
and VForked on a farm until the breaking out 
of the late civil war. He enlisted in the 
Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Company C, and was 
assigned to the Army of the Potomac, skir- 
mishing and scouting the greater part of 
Virginia. He participated in the battle of 
Fredericksburg, and also of Gettysburg, after 
which he was taken prisoner, held three days, 
and then paroled. He was wounded in the 
left knee, and so was disabled for four months, 
after which he joined his regiment in Mary- 
land, and was afterward sent to St. Louis, 
Missouri, thence to Chicago, where he was 
finally discharged. He then returned to Mor- 
rison, Illinois, and in 1865 he was married to 
Mary Tyson, a daughter of John Tyson, Esq., 
of Morrison, Illinois. The two years follow- 
ing he was engaged in farming in Whiteside 
County, Illinois, and in the fall of 1808 he 
removed to Jasper County, Iowa, locating 
in the town of Monroe, where he opened a 
meat market; he remained there one year, 
and then moved back to Whiteside County, 
Illinois, and remained there three years. In 
1872, Mr. Jjickelhaupt removed to Audubon 
County and purchased eighty acres of new 
land in section 6; this he broke out and im- 
proved, and two years later he bought eighty 
acres more, and he now has a half section of 
land in a high state of cultivation. He also 
has town property in Coon Kapids, Iowa. He 
is extensively engaged in the feeding, buying 
and shipping of live-stock. All of his own 
produce is consumed on his farm, and lie buys 
largely of his neighbors. Mr. and Mre. Bick- 
elhnupt have had nine children born to them — 
Margaret, Elizabeth, Peter, Mamie, Alice, 
George, Albert, Odessa and Ilena. Eight of the 
children are livitig. The confidence reposed in 



BIOaitAPUICAL SKETVHES. 



Mr. Bickelliaupt l)y the people of the coni- 
m unity is shown by the fact that lie lias served 
as township trustee for thirteen years, and 
has been president of the school board for 
fourteen years. He was elected township 
treasnrer in 1888, and is the present incum- 
bent of the office. He is a member of Charity 
Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., at Coon 
Rapids, Iowa. He strongly adheres to the 
principles of the Democratic party. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. post at Dedham. 



fOSEPPI CONRAD, an intelligent and 
successful farmer of Hamlin Township, 
was ,born in Germany, April, 1853. 
He is the youngest of three brothers. His 
parents, Joseph and Mary A. Conrad, re- 
mained in the old country. Joseph, Jr., 
entered school at the age of six years, and 
pursued his studies for eight years. On leav- 
ing school he engaged in farm work, which 
he continued for two years. At the age of 
sixteen he sailed for Amei-ica, and landed at 
New York City; from the latter place he 
went immediately to Scott County, Iowa, 
where he secured employment on a farm, and 
continued there sixteen months. He then 
came to Atlantic, Iowa, and entered the 
employ of the Rock Island & Pacific Rail- 
way Company, working in different depart- 
ments and divisions until the last few years, 
when he was employed in the engine house. 
He remained with this company for fourteen 
years. By the practice of economy he was 
able to save from his wages enough money to 
buy eighty acres of land in Hamlin Town- 
ship; he has added to that purchaBe until he 
now owns 200 acres. In 1884 he removed 
to his farm and began to im) rove it. Mr. 
Conrad has been very prosperous in all his 
agricultural enterprises. His notable suc- 



cess has been in raising small grains and 
breeding high grades of live-stock. He has 
erected a comfortable residence, a substantial 
barn, and numerous buildings for the protec- 
tion of stock. In 1879 Mr. Conrad was 
married to Albertiua Bailer, of Atlantic, 
Iowa, who was a native of Germany, coming 
to this country when quite young. The re- 
sult of this union has been three children 

Mary A., August and Frank. On his arrival 
in this country Mr. Conrad's means were 
almost exhausted; he was in a stran-re land, 
without friends or acquaintances, unfamiliar 
with the English language. Under these 
inauspicious circumstances he beo-an his 
career. His success is evidence of his in- 
domitable courage and perseverance, and he 
richly deserves his prosperity. 



ILLIAM E. IIENSLEY, farmer and 
tMi>M stock-raiser, of Greeley Township, 
was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
July 27, 1848. He is the son of J. J. and 
Martha J. (Popejay) Ilensley, who removed 
to Iowa when William E. was eight years of 
age. They tirst located in the northern part 
of the State, and after making seveial changes 
they settled in Audubon County, in the full 
of 1870. In the spring of 1871 William E. 
Ilensley, in partnership with his brother, L. 
M. Ilensley, purchased IGO acres in Greeley 
Township. They continued to buy land until 
at one time they owned 680 acres in one 
body. They afterward sold forty acres, re- 
taining just one section, which they divided 
equally in 1884. They were the lirst settlers 
in this part of the county, and the land was 
wild and unimproved. When Mr. Ilensley 
came to the county he was unmarried, and 
made his home with his brother. June 27, 
1875, he was wedded to Miss Laura Ander- 



77« 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY* 



son, daughter of David L. and Mary L. 
Anderson; she was born in Audubon, County, 
April 27, 1856, and died March 3, 1885. 
Five children were born of this marriage- — 
Clyde, Vernie, Mary E., Clarence Edward 
and Flora Ina. Mr. Ilensley was again mar- 
ried February 20, 1887, to Miss Minnie 
Dettmann, who was born in Germany, and 
came to America with her parents in 1881. 
This union has resulted in one child — Hazel 
M. Mr. Hensley makes a specialty of stock- 
raising, and also buys and ships live-stock ex- 
tensively. He also owns a livery barn in 
Exira, but has recently disposed of the stock. 
His farm is under good cultivation, and is 
well improved in the way of buildings. Po- 
litically he is a staunch Democrat. He has 
served two terms as county supervisor with 
credit to himself and the satisfaction of his 
constituents. lie has also represented his 
township in most of the diflerent offices. Mr. 
Ilensley is a self-made man, and has arrived 
at his present position through his own efforts. 
He occupies an enviable place in the county, 
socially and financially — a just reward of in- 
dustry and perseverance. 

• ^ ■ g - 3 " I - ^ '""' 



tEUOY M. IIENSLEY, the oldest child 
of J. J. and Martha (Popejay) Ilensley, 
was born in Fayette County, Ohio, De- 
cember 28, 1845. lie was reared in his 
native county until his tenth year, when his 
parents removed to Iowa, and settled in the 
northern part of the State. In the year 1870 
they went to Audubon County, and settled 
on the farm of J. J. Hensley. Leroy M. re- 
mained with liis parents until 1872; Feb- 
ruary 14 of that year he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Pilmer, daughter of Philip and 
Alice (Sherriff) Pilmer, who was born in 
England, of Scotch ancestry, November 30, 



1847; she came to America in 1850. They 
are the parents of six children — Philip (de- 
ceased), Martha Alice (deceased), Charles B., 
Walter A., Elmer L. (deceased), and James 
L. Soon after their marriage they removed 
to their new home, a tract of 120 acres which 
Mr. Hensley had previously purchased. A 
frame building 14x16 feet was erected, in 
which they took up their abode before it was 
completed. They were anxious to establish 
themselves, and unhesitatingly faced all the 
hardships encountered by settlers in a new 
country. The success they have had is fully 
demonstrated by taking a look at their finely 
improved farm. There is a tine two-story 
frame residence, and also buildings for stock 
and grain. Mr. Hensley has been an active, 
enterprising citizen, always aiding and encour- 
aging every enternrise tending to advance the 



ig' 



'7 



interests of the community in which he lives. 
Politically he is a staunch Democrat, and has 
represented his township as clerk and as a 
member of the school board. Mrs. Hensley 
is a member of the Presbyterian church, 
while her husband was reared in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. The family are 
among the most worthy and respected citizens 
of the county. 

— ^->f^— 



^DGAIl YOUNG, a native of Will 
County, Illinois, has been a resident of 
Audubon County since the year 1871. 
He was born August 19, 1854, and is a son 
of Henry and Charlotte (Mudge) Young, 
natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respect- 
ively. He was but six years old when his 
parents emigrated to Iowa and settled in 
Boone County, wliere they lived eleven yeai-s. 
They then removed to Audubon County, and 
located on a farm in Greeley Township. 
There our subject made his home until 1881. 



jnoORAPIlWA L SKETCH EH. 



779 



May 22 of that year he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Clara A. Beers, a daiigliter of 
Bradley and Hannah G. (Eels) Beers. She 
was born in Audubon County, Iowa, March 
4, 1803. In 1882 Mr. Young removed tu 
his present farm. lie then owned eighty 
acres, which was raw prairie land. He has 
placed this under cultivation, and has added 
eiglity-two acres^ making 162 acres in all. 
He has built a fine frame residence, a baru) 
and buildings for the care and protection of 
stock and grain. He is a live, energetic man, 
and stands in tlie front ranks of Audubon 
County's reliable farmers. When Mr. Young 
began life for himself his capital consisted of 
pluck and energy. The result of his labor 
has been very sitisfactory, as will be seen on 
taking a look at his farm and its many val- 
uable improvements. Politically Mr. Young 
is identilied with the Republican party. He 
has held the office of justice of the peace. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Young — Alvie Judson, Bonnie May, 
Arlow Floyd and Bertha Ora. 



jRADLEY BEERS and his worthy wife 
WWi ^^^'"'^ among the early pioneers of An- 
^^ dubon County. Mr. Beers came to the 
county in 1857, and in 1859 he purchased a 
tract of 320 acres of land in Hamlin Town- 
ship. The land was wild, unbroken prairie, 
and there was no human hal)itation in sight. 
The country teemed with wild animals, such 
as the wolf, deer and elk. Mr. Bradley erected 
a house composed of black walnut lumber, 
and made other necessary improvements. He 
also planted a grove of walnut trees covering 
ten acres, which is now one of the prettiest 
groves in the county. He i)laced the farm 
under good cultivation and continued to reside 
there for eleven years, when lie sold the place 

49 



and removed to Exira. In six months he re- 
moved to his home on David's Creek, Greeley 
Township, where he had purchased 120 acres 
of land, and where Mrs. Beers now resides. 
In 1880 he erected a large frame residence, 
which is one of the linest homes in that part 
of the county. Mr. Beers was a staunch 
Democrat, always taking an active part in 
political affairs, and at one time held the 
office of justice of the peace. He was born 
in Walton, Delaware County, New York, and 
was there reared to the occupation of a farmer, 
which he followed through life. He died 
March 12, 1879, aged about fifty-eight years. 
He was married February 17, 1857, to Han- 
nah G. Eells, daughter of Samuel and Clarina 
(Gray) Eells, who was born in Walton, Dela- 
ware County, New York, January 11, 1832. 
They were the parents of four children — 
Frank, residing in GrceleyTownship; Samuel, 
at home; Clara A., wife of Edgar Young, 
and Charles, deceased. Samuel, the second 
child, was born March 24, 1860, and was 
married September 11, 1880, to Miss Ora 
Ilerrick, daughter of Urbane and Charlotte 
(Spirling) Ilerrick. Mrs. Beers was born in 
Exira, October 28, 1802. They are the parents 
of one child — Homer L., born October 4, 
1884. Mr. Beers afMliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. During his earlier life he fol- 
lowed cattle-herding for eight years, but is 
now engaged in fai'ining. He is an enter- 
prising young man, and enjoys the esteem of 
a wide circle of friends. 

fOSEPH CURTIS was born in Leeds, 
Yorkshire, England, November 26, 1811, 
and is the son of Charles and Bettio 
(Brown) Curtis. He is the oldest of a family 
of five children, and grew to maturity in his 
native country, his twenty-first birthday being 



780 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY^ 



passed on the ocean during tlie voyage to 
America. On arriving in this country he 
settled in Oneida County, New York. He 
had learned the tailor's trade, which he fol- 
lowed until his fifty-second year, when he 
secured a position in a foundry in Hampton 
village. For seven years he continued this 
work, and then came to Iowa, locating in 
Johnson County. In 1882 he came to Au- 
dubon Comity and settled on a farm of eighty 
acres of improved land in section 29, which 
he still makes liis Jioine. He was married 
about the year IB-to, in the month of Febru- 
ary, to Mary Dickson, daughter of John and 
Dallie Dickson, who was born in England 
in May, 1819. Seven children were born of 
this marriage — Palmer, Mark, Julia, William, 
Ellen, Hannah and John. Joseph Curtis is 
a strong adherent to the principles of the 
Democratic party. Palmer Curtis, a son of 
Joseph and Mary (Dickson) Curtis, was born 
in Oneida County, New York, November 13, 
1848. At the age of eleven years he went to 
work in a foundry in Westmoreland, New 
York, and remained in this employment for 
six years. He then came west and settled 
near Iowa City. He was employed for a year 
and a half by a Mr. Seymore on his farm. 
During the next live years he worked for a 
Mr. Abraham on a cheese farm, and then re- 
turned to his former employer, Mr. Seymore, 
for one year. At the end of the year he went 
to his fatiier's liome, fifteen miles west of 
Iowa City, and assisted him until the spring 
of 1878, when he came to Audubon County, 
and settled on a farm of 160 acres of wild 
land in section 34, Greeley Township. Mr. 
Curtis has placed this under good cultivation, 
and has erected a residence and barns for 
stock and grain. lie has done much toward 
the development of this part of the county, 
and thereby has won the regard and esteem 
uf n wide circle of friends. After spending 



nine years in improving and cultivating his 
farm, Mr. Curtis concluded to embark in the 
butcher's tratle, and so removed to E.xira and 
followed that business for two years, after 
which he returned to his farm. Politically 
he advocates the principles of the Union 
Labor party. October 18, 1881, he was mar- 
ried to Lauretta Patterson, daughter of Eli 
and Rebecca J. (Basem) Patterson, who was 
born November 8, 1851. They are the ])arent8 
of two children — Jesse and Glen. Mrs. Cur- 
tis is a Tnember of the Baptist church. 

■■■ .i| . 3 ii ; . ^i . ■■• 



tSAAC N. BROWN has been a resident 
of Audubon County since tlie year 1876. 
^ He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, 
September 7, 1834, and is the son of Samuel 
and Margaret (Brannon) Brown, natives of 
Ohio, who removed to Union County, Ohio, 
when Isaac N. was a small child. There he 
was reared to the life of a farmer, and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools. 
When he had attained his eighteenth year he 
went to Washington County, Iowa, and tliere 
remained until 1858, when lie took a trip to 
Kansas and took up his residence there. In 
1860 he returned to Washington County, and 
August 8, 18G1, lie was married to Miss 
Isabelle C. McNulty, daughter of William 
and Amadella (Adams) McNnlty. She was 
born in Boone County, Indiana, July 29, 
1840. Nine children have been born of this 
marriage — Isaac N., residing in Audubon 
County; Amadella (deceased), Lenetta IL, 
wife of Henry Englekiiig, of Audubon County; 
Maryetta E., Willie and Wilber, twins (de- 
ceased); Carrie II., Lee (deceased) and Charlie 
A. Mr. Brown enlisted August 9, 1862, in 
the State's service, and August 22, 1862, he 
was mustered into the United States' service. 
Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- 



BIOGRAl'IIWAL SKETOHES. 



781 



pany C. He participated in many liard- 
fouglit battles; among tliem are Prairie 
Grove, Vicksburg, Spanisli Fort and Mobile. 
He was honorably discharged July 2G, 1865, 
and returned to Washington County. After 
two 3'ears he took his family to Coffee County, 
Kansas, and they resided there seven years. 
They then came back to Washington County, 
and at the end of two years they came to Au- 
dubon County and settled on the George B. 
Russell farm, north of Exira, remaining there 
one year. They rented another farm the next 
year, and in 1872 Mr. Brown purchased 
eighty acres of wild land, which he has im- 
proved and increased until he has a farm of 
200 acres, as fine as there is in the county. 
He has a good residence, buildings for stock 
and grain, three and a half acres of grove, 
and an equal tract planted to fruit-trees. He 
devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, 
and has been very successful in his chosen 
calling. He started with nothing but strength 
of purpose, and has acquired his property 
through his own efibrts. He affiliates with 
the Republican part}', and has represented 
his township in its various offices. Mrs. 
Brown and two eldest daughters are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



fACOB II. HILL has been identified with 
the interests of Audubon County since 
the year 1872. Unlike many of the 
pioneers, he was born in the State of Iowa, 
Cedar County. His parents are John F. and 
Eliza (May) Hill, natives of the State of 
Rennsylvania. Jacob H. was two years of 
age when his parents removed to Johnson 
County, Iowa, where they remained until he 
was fifteen years old. On coming to the 
county the family first settled in Exira Town- 
ship, and later in Greeley Township, wliile 



the parents now reside in Audubon Town- 
ship. Mr. Hill was reared to the life of a 
farmer, and obtained his education in the 
common schools. In the year 1882 he 
bought an eighty-acre tract of wild land in 
section 28, Greeley Townshiii, which he has 
improved and placed under good cultivation. 
He has a comfortable frame residence and 
the necessary buildings for stock and grain. 
He has done ranch toward the upbuilding of 
that part of the county, and well deserves the 
esteem in which he is held. The marriage 
of Jacob H. Hill to Miss Evaline Youn^ 
occurred September 29, 1882. She is a 
daughter of Henry and Charlotte Young, 
and was born in Illinois in June, 1860. 
They are the parents of one child — Flossie. 
In political thought and action Mr. Hill is 
Republican. By upright and honorable deal- 
ings, by industry and perseverance, he has 
won a reputation, and has acquired a property 
of which any man might well be proud. 

"" " % " ^ * ' w * ^ *'" **** 



AVID A. McANULTY, of Audubon 
Township, has been identified with the 
history of Audubon County since 1876. 
He was born in Boone County, Indiana, May 
7, 1845, and is a son of William and Ama- 
della (Adams) McAnulty. He is the fourth 
child of a family of seven children, and when 
he was six years old his parents removed to 
Iowa and settled in Washington County, 
where he was reared to the occnpation of a 
farmer, and educated in the common schools. 
When there was a call for men to defend the 
flag of this nation, he enlisted in the Ninth 
Iowa Cavalry, Company D, and served until 
1865, when he was discharged at Little Rock, 
Arkansas. He then returned to Washiiiirton 
County, Iowa. September 17, 1868, he was 
married to Miss Leah Richardson, daughter 



T« 



UISTORT OF AUDLBON COUJTl'T. 



of Aaron and Anna (Cline) Richardson. She 
was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, January 
20, 1848. After bis marriage Mr. McAnulty 
resided in ^YasbingtoIl County for eight 
years. He then caine to Audubon County 
and settled on a farm of 166 acres of raw 
prairie land. There he has since made liis 
home, making many valuable improvements 
in the way of erecting buildings and placing 
the soil under cultivation. He has also 
planted about one acre of grove. The farm 
is considered one of the most desirable in 
that part of the county. Mr. McAnulty, by 
honesty and upright dealing, has won the 
confidence of the community in which lie 
lives. He takes an active interest in all 
enterprises tending to the advancement of the 
people. He is a staunch member of the Re- 
publican party. He is chairman of the Re- 
publican township committee, and in 1887 
he was sent as a delegate to the State Con- 
vention. Mr. and Mrs. McAnulty are the 
parents of one child — Arthur, born July 31, 
1869. He was married December 9, 1888, 
to Miss Emma F. Benton, a daughter of 
Isaiah and Tranquilla (Maj') Benton. She 
was born in Jo Daviess County, Dlinois, Jan- 
uary, 1868. 



fOSEPH NEWELL, deceased, was a man 
whom Lincoln Townshij) could not well 
afford to lose. He was a native of the 
Emerald Isle, born near the city of Belfast, 
in 1836. AVheu a mere lad his parents, Will- 
iam and Agnes Newell, emigrated from Ire- 
land to America, settling in Canada, near 
Hamilton. Tliere he grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving his education in the common schools, 
and being trained to the duties of a farmer. 
In 1872 he was married to Miss Isabella E. 
Tansley, a resident of his neighborhood. 



Soon after this union they removed to the 
United States and settled on a farm in Ben- 
ton County, near Blairstown, Iowa. Mr. 
Newell opened up a tract of 160 acres of 
wild land, erected necessary buildings, planted 
a grove, and put the farm in good shape. He 
made this his home until 1881, when he re- 
moved to Audubon County, having sold out 
his possessions in Benton County. His first 
purchase in Audubon County was 320 acres, 
and later he bought 120 acres, whicli he 
afterward sold. It was new land, without 
improvements, but at the time of Mr. Newell's 
death, which occurred October 12, 1887, the 
farm had been developed into one of the 
most desirable in the community. He was a 
good judge of live-stock, and took an active 
interest in the improvement of the breeds. 
Mr. Newell left a wife and five children to 
mourn Ills death. The children are — Samuel 
J., Josephine, Charles S., Thomas and Henry. 
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Newell 
has sujierintended the farm, and has been 
very successful in her management of the 
estate. Mrs. Newell was born in Canada, 
and is the oldest daughter of Samuel and 
Annie (Bousiield) Tansley, natives of Eng- 
land. She was educated in her native country, 
and is a most thorough-going woman. For 
many jears she has been an active member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



^ENRY CONKLIN, of the firm of 
Conklin & Son, Exira, was born in the 
State of Indiana, near Connersville, 
Fayette County, June 10, 1836. His grand- 
father, Henry Conklin, emigrated from Ger- 
many to Pennsylvaiua at the early day when 
knee-breeches were in vogue. For many 
years after coming to this country he kept a 
tavern. Josiah Conklin, father of the subject 



BIOGRArUICAL SKETCHES. 



783 



of this notice, was born in New Jersey, April 
6, 1804. lie was married to Sarah Putnam, 
a distant relative of General Putnam, who 
was born in the South, and whose father was 
a planter. After their marriage the}' settled 
in Fayette County, and thence removed to 
Hamilton County, Indiana, in which place 
they resided eleven years. In the fall of 
1850 tiiey removed to Keokuk County, Iowa, 
settling on a farm, and there leading a very 
active life. Mr. Conklin died May 4, 1880, 
and his wife- died in 1854; she was tiie mother 
of eleven children, nine of whom lived to 
maturity. Henry Conklin, Jr., passed his 
boyhood in Indiana, and there attended the 
common schools. At the age of fourteen 
years his parents took him to Iowa, and the 
following four years he attended the short 
winter terms of school. His father being 
a farmer by occupation, he also received some 
training in agricultural pursuits, and he also 
had some experience in clerking in a store. 
In his nineteenth year he was married to Miss 
Catherine Waltz, of Keokuk County, Iowa, a 
native of Wayne County, Indiana, and a 
daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Waltz, of 
German descent. After his marriajje Mr. 
Conklin settled on a farm in Keokuk County, 
and resided there until the fall of 1877, when 
he removed with his family to Audubon 
County, Iowa. He and his wife are the 
parents of seven children, five of whom still 
survive — Mary E., wife of John C. Persing; 
George W., Sarah K., wife of W. II. Brigg- 
man; Henrietta (deceased), Eliza J. (deceased), 
Lucy C. and Mark Pomeroy. In 1880 Mr. 
Conklin l)ought a store in E.xira, and started 
in the grocery business, in which he con- 
tinued until May 10, 1887, when his build- 
ing and entire stock were consumed l)y fire. 
He had a small insurance of $1,000, which he 
collected, and immediately engagcii lumber 
to erect a new business house. During the 



erection of the new house Mr. Conklin rented 
a small building, and put in a stock, and re- 
sumed business. Mr. Conklin served as 
school director and as constable, and four 
years as deputy sheriff, while a resident of 
Keokuk County. After removing to Exira 
he served on the town council, and in a race 
for the office of mayor he was beaten by one 
vote. In National and State politics he 
votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. and Mrs. 
Conklin are members of the Christian church. 
Mrs. Waltz's father, Isaac Waltz, died in 
Keokuk County, Iowa, at the age of sixty- 
three years; her mother is still living, at the 
age of seventy-four years. 



mYRON G. FOREMAN, proprietor of 
1^^ the livery, feed and sale stables, Audu- 
^^ bon, Iowa, was born near Delaware, 
Delaware County, Ohio, April 24, 1852. He 
is the oldest son of David A. and Lydia A. 
(Dodds) Foreman. The mother was born in 
Ohio, and the father was a native of the 
State of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and an early settler of Ohio. B. G. 
Foreman removed with his parents to Grundy 
County, Illinois, and settled on a farm; there 
the parents resided for many j'ears, and are 
now living in Morris, Illinois. Six children 
were born to them, four of whom are living. 
The subject of this notice grew to manhood 
in Grundy County, Illinois, and received his 
education in the common schools. He began 
his career as a farmer anddealer in live-stock 
in Grundy County, making horses a spe- 
cialty. He resided there until he came to 
Audubon County, when he began house and 
buggy painting, at $2 per day, for John Eslc}'. 
He remained in his employ for two years, 
and then was compolled to abandon the trade 
on account of ill health. He then Ijcgan 



784 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUlh'T. 



trading in live-stock and town property, in 
which he has been very successful. He has 
built extensive sheds and stables for thefeed- 
ing of horses, and the accommodation of 
farmers' teams. He buys large numbers of 
horses, fattening them for the home, Dakota 
and eastern markets. In 1889 Mr. Foreman 
erected a barn and sheds for the accommoda- 
tion of 100 teams, and opened a first-class 
livery stable. He has good Iniggies, car- 
riages, hacks, and everything for the busi- 
ness; he also gives attention to the breeding 
of fine draft horses. Mr. Foreman was mar- 
ried in 1875 to Miss Ella G. Stoneback, 
of Grundy County, Illinois, the youngest 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Stoneback. 
They have one little daughter — GeorgianaE. 



i-5*-»f» 



AWKENCE SEYLLER, a prominent 
farmer and successful stock-raiser of 
Cameron Township, was born in Ger- 
many, August 5, 1850, and is a son of 
George and Catherine (Haemaser) Seyller. 
They are the parents of thirteen children, of 
whom the following are living — John, Charles, 
Conrad, Catherine, George, JSelson, Law- 
rence (the subject of this biographical sketch), 
Frank and August. The father is a farmer 
by occupation. He emigrated with his family 
to America when Lawrence was an infant, 
and settled on a farm in Cook County, Illi- 
nois, remaining there one year; he then re- 
moved to Henry County, Illinois, and bought 
a farm, on which he still resides. He has 
been prosperous since coining to America, 
and has accumulated a comfortable compe- 
tence for his declining years. Lawrence 
Seyller is the sixth of the family. He received 
a district-school education, and was trained to 
agricultural pursuits. He continued under 
the parental roof until his twenty-first year, 



when he started in life on his own account. 
He learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worked for twelve years. Having laid by 
some money he came to Iowa in 1881 and in- 
vested in land; i)e bought 4-40 acres, eighty 
acres lying in Viola Township, and the bal- 
ance in Cameron Township. Mr. Seyller 
was not able to pay for all the land in the 
beginning, but his hope of success in the 
future, upon which he depended, was fully 
realized. He began by raising grain exten- 
sively, and later he paid more attention to the 
raising of hogs and cattle, until in 1888 he 
shipped five car-loads from his own farm, and 
in 1889 four car-loads. His farm is well 
stocked with a large number of hogs and 
cattle. He has some fine thoroughbred Po- 
langus and Poland-China hogs, and is mak- 
ing a specialty of breeding this stock. Mr. 
Seyller was united in marriage in 1875 to 
Miss Elizabeth Goembel, of Henry County, 
Illinois, the fourth cliild of Henry and Cath- 
erine Goembel; she was born in Stark County, 
Illinois. Four children have been born of 
this marriage — Vida I., Lee Roy, Mollie 
May and Hazel C. In politics Mr. Seyller 
is conservative, voting for the man rather 
than the party. He began life with pluck 
and determination to succeed, and the result 
can best be realized by visiting his farm, 
which is a model in every respect, having 
all the modern conveniences for practical 
farming. 

— ■°* ♦' | * s »' i ' S" ' " — ■ 

MOS FANCHER, of Cameron Town- 
ship, has been identified with the his- 
tory of Audubon County, Iowa, since 
the year 1880. He was born in Keokuk 
County, near Sigourney, September 13, 1856, 
and is a son of AVilliam and Rebecca Fancher, 
natives of Pennsylvania. Amos Fancher is 



BIOGRAPEWAL SKETCHES. 



785 



the youngest son of a family of nine children, 
two sisters being younger than he. He was 
reared to the life of a farmer, and received a 
fair education in the common schools. lie 
remained witii his parents until he reached 
his twenty-lirst year, when he took up the 
responsil)ilities of life and began seeking the 
fortune tlie world might hold for him. His 
first investment was in forty acres of land, 
on which lie lived two years. At the end of 
that time, in the spring of 1880, he came to 
Audubon County and bought 160 acres of 
raw prairie land. Later he made an addi- 
tional purchase of eighty acres, and afterward 
he bought forty acres more, making 280 acres 
in all. Mr. Fancher's princijjal success has 
been in raising liogs. He also feeds a large 
number of cattle, and is rearing some high 
grades of liorses. All the improvements upon 
the farm have been made by Mr. Fancher. 
He has erected a comfortable residence, a 
good barn, and other necessary buildings. 
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Amos 
Fancher and Cora Stoops, a daughter of 
Joseph and Harriet Stoops, and a native of 
Mahaska County, Iowa. They are the parents 
of three children — Stella, Myrtle, and an in- 
fant unnamed. Mr. Fancher adheres to the 
principles of the Democratic party. 

" " ■ ^ • 3"i ' |" -^ 



lOKPIlUS D. GRAVES, deceased, was 
an active and enterprising citizen of 
Douglas Township. He was born in 
Oneida County, New York, and was a son of 
Austin and Mary Ann (Bishop) Graves, 
natives of the State of New York. When 
Dorphus D. was two and a half years old his 
parents removed to Marion, Ohio, where he 
grew to manhood, and received a common- 
school education. He l)egan to learn the 
printer's trade at Marion, and later worked 



at it in Springfield, Ohio. He afterward 
drifted west, and stopped at some of the 
river towns in the State of Iowa. Finally he 
went to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled 
on a farm eight miles from Iowa City. Mr. 
Graves was married to Miss Malinda Haw- 
ley, of Johnson County, Iowa, a daughter of 
Jesse and Eliza (Brown) Ilawley, who had 
removed to Johnson County from Ohio. 
After his marriage Mr. Graves continued 
farming, and afterward removed to Keokuk 
County, iind in 1882 he came to Audubon 
County, locating on a farm in section 2, 
Douglas Township, known as the John Mor- 
row farm; the place contains 820 acres. Mr. 
Graves was an enterprising and energetic 
farmer; he fed large numbers of cattle and 
hogs, which he shipped to eastern markets. 
He was an active member of the United 
Brethren church, serving many years as 
trustee, class-leader and steward of the so- 
ciety. He was held in high esteem by all 
who knew him, and his loss was deeply felt 
in the community. He left a wife and six 
children to mourn his death, which occurred 
June 11, 1887. The children are named as 
follows — Mary E., wife of William Gipple; 
Jesse A., Calvin D., Murtle D., Waiter D. 
and Leonard B. Mr. Graves was a staunch 
Ilepublican,and took an active interest in the 
success of the party. Mrs. Graves carries on 
the farm, with the assistance of her sons. 
She is a woman of ability, and has been suc- 
cessful in the management of the property 
left her; she is a devoted member of the 
United Brethren church. 



EOllGE M. ROSS, a successful agri- 
culturist and stock-raiser, of Cameron 
Townsliip, has i)een a resident of .\udu- 
bon County since 1878. He was born in 



7S(i 



HISTORY OP AUDUBON COUSTT. 



Indiana County, near the town of Marion, 
Pennsylvania, May 4, 1851, and is the fifth 
of a family of eight children of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (McCoweu) Iloss. The parents 
■were born in Ireland, and emigrated to the 
United States in their early married life, and 
settled in Pennsylvania; they are still 
living on the old homestead in Indiana 
County where they hrst settled. Seven of 
the eight children are living, five sons and 
two daughters. George M. was reared to the 
life of a farmer, and obtained his education 
in the common school. He remained under 
the parental roof until his eighteenth year, 
when he took up the responsibilities of life for 
himself. He went to Louisville, Kentucky, 
and engaged in retailing manufactured to- 
baccos, cigars and smoker's articles, in which 
he made money rapidly. He sold out the 
business and removed to Page County, Iowa, 
wiiere he engaged in farming two years. In 
the spring of 1878 he came to Audubon 
County, Iowa, and bought a half section of 
choice land, which at that time was wild 
prairie land. He went to work with a will, 
and as time has passed he has added many 
valuable improvements. Mr. Ross has here- 
tofore been engaged in general farming, but 
in ihe past two years he has given more at- 
tention to the feeding of live-stock, and has 
been quite successful; he has, however, suf- 
fered heavy losses from cholera at times. 
Mr. IJoss was uuvrried in the spring of 1878 
to Miss Alice C. Price, a daughter of Fred 
Price, Esq., of Page County, Iowa. Four 
children have been born of this union — 
David Cameron, JJessie, George and Samuel. 
Mr. Iloss has been politically identified with 
his township as trustee, having been elected 
in the fall of 1888. lie afHliates with the 
Jiepublican party. His larded estate num- 
bers 760 acres, 440 in Audubon County, and 
320 in Woodbury County, Iowa. Mr. Ross 



was entirely without means when he began 
his business career, but he has not remained 
at the bottom of the ladder; he has exerted 
all his energies, and to no small purpose, as 
can be seen from the valuable property he 
has accumulated. 



[AMUEL F. DONALDSON, a farmer 
(iv^l of Lincoln Township, was born in 
-^^ Westmoreland County, Pennsyhania, 
October 18, 1837. He is the youngest of a 
family of eight children of Robert and Ann 
(Felton) Donaldson. Her 7nother was Cath- 
erine Kincade, of Scotch-Irish descent, who 
came to America to look after her father, 
who was supposed to have lost liis life in the 
Revolutionary war. The great-grandfather 
of Samuel F. Donaldson, Isaac Donaldson, 
after serving in the Revolutionary war, was 
killed by the Indians in 1783, in Westmore- 
land . County, Pennsylvania. At the same 
time an aunt and seven children were taken 
prisoners. The children were killed by the 
Indians, and after ten years the aunt made 
her escape. James Donaldson, the grand- 
father of Samuel F., served in the war of 
1812. Robert Donaldson, the father of S. 
F. Donaldson, was born in Westmoreland 
County, Pennsylvania, on the farm owned by 
his father, James Donaldson. The gratul- 
father on tlie mother's side was Robert Fel- 
ton, a native of Scotland. He also served in 
the war of 1812. The father of our subject, 
Robert Donaldson, remained in Westmore- 
land County, following the occupation of a 
carpenter until 1850, when he removed to 
the wild woods of Indiana, settling in Welle 
County. There he cleared out a farm and 
remained until his death, wiiicli occurred in 
1880. His wife, the mother of S. F. Don- 
aldson, died in 1861. Samuel F. Donaldson 



BIOQRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



787 



was thirtoen years of age when lie removed 
with his parents to Indiana. There he grew 
to manhood, attending the common log-cabin 
schools, and receiving the usual training of a 
farmer's son. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- 
pany A, for three months' service, at the first 
call for 75,000 men. On the expiration of 
the three months he enlisted, on the 30th day 
of August, 1861, for three years, in Company 
A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
He was immediately made chief musician of 
the regiment, and served in that capacity fur 
four and a half years. He was honorably 
discharged at Brownsville, Texas, February 
20, 1866. He then returned to Wells County, 
Indiana, and engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until 1868, when he removed to Polk County, 
Iowa, and settled on a farm near Polk City. 
There he resided until the spring of 1880, 
when he came to Audubon County, settling 
upon his farm in Lincoln Township, which 
was then wild prairie. Upon this new farm 
he erected a board shanty, twelve feet square, 
which sheltered the family until better quar- 
ters could be provided. However, before 
these temporary quarters could be provided 
the family lived in wagons. The first thing 
to be done was to break out the new farm, 
and make arrangements for the home. What 
has been accomplished can best be realized 
by making a visit to Mr. Donaldson's farm. 
Tlie place is well fenced, and is stocked with 
reasonable numbers of hogs, cattle and Imrses. 
The residence is attractively surrounded by a 
grove which was planted by Mr. Donaldson. 
September 4, 1861, occurred the marriage of 
Samuel F. Donaldson and Lizzie Marshall, 
of Wells County, Indiana, in which place niie 
was born and reared. She is a daughter of 
Kobert and Mary A. (Weisner) Marshall, 
natives of Scotland and Ohio respectively. 
Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have had born to 
them four children — Kate F., wife of J. L. 



Van Dorn (the latter died in 1885); Anna E., 
William F. and P>onnie C. Mr. Donaldson 
was elected clerk of his township in 1882, 
and has served in that oflice ever since until 
the present time, lie is a member of Ver- 
itas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., at Au- 
dubon, and of Utopia Lodge, No. 161, I. O. 
O. F., at Gray, being one of the charter 
members. He is also a member of the Hia- 
watha Tribe, No. 16, I. O. E. M., and of the 
G. A. H. post at Manning, and is a member 
of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and also 
the Universal Brotherhood. In politics he 
actively supports the issues of the Republican 
party. 



►>«- 



tOBEUT II. LACY, an eaily settler of 
Cameron Township, was born near 
Madisonville, Knox County, Kentucky, 
August 29, 1831. He is the second son of 
George and Sophia (Hicks) Lacy, who were 
born and reared in the State of Virginia. 
Soon after their marriage they removed to 
Kentucky, thence to Tennessee, and tiience 
to .Madison County, Illinois; there they 
rented a farm, and resided until they removed 
to Fayette County, Illinois, in which county 
George Lacy died in 1851; his wife died five 
months later in Morgan County, Illinois. 
They were the parents of seven children, all 
of whom are living, excejit one son. Robert 
Lacy passed most of his youth in Fayette 
County, Illinois, receiving the benefit of a 
common-school education. He had lived at 
home until his father's deatli, which occurred 
when he was nineteen years old. He then 
started out for himself, working by the 
month on a farm for six years. He was mar- 
ried to Nancy E. Jones, of Morgan County, 
Illinois, the oldest daughter of James Jones, 
Esq. After his marriage Mr. Lacy renteil a 



788 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUl^TT. 



farm in Henry County, Illinois, on wbicli he 
spent nine years. In the fall of 1873 he 
moved with his family to Audubon Count}', 
Iowa, and l)onght 100 acres of raw prairie 
land; this he broke out and improved, erect- 
ing buildings, planting trees, and making 
many other valuable additions to the place. 
He has engaged in general farming since 
coming to Audubon County. Mr. Lacy's 
lirst wife died on the farm in 1879; she was 
the mother of live children — George H., 
James W., Charles C, Robert, and Joim M., 
who died at the age of twelve years. Mr. 
Lacy was maiTied to Mrs. Amelia Burt in 
1880; her maiden name was Wallace, and 
she had two children by iier former husband, 
Edmund Burt — Carrie, wife of George H. 
Lacy, and Ilattie, wife of Charles E. Lacy. 
Mr. Burt died in Buena Vista County, Iowa, 
lie served the country eighteen months in 
the late civil war. Mrs. Lacy and her first 
husband were born on the shores of Lake 
George. Mr. Lacy removed from his farm 
to Audubon in the spring of 1880, and 
clerked in a hardware and agricultural imple- 
ment store for five years. He then removed 
to Coon Rapids, which is his present home. 
He opened a meat market in this place, and 
at the end of two years sold out the business- 
Politically he affiliates with the Republican 
party. 

l --i" l -l""' 



ljw.^LIAS FISCUS,an early settler and active 
farmer of Douglas Township, was born 
in the Hoosier State, in Owen County, 
May 7, 1837. His fatlier, Levi Fiscus, an 
early settler of Indiana, was born in South 
C^arolina, and was a son of Frederick Fiscus, 
a native of (Tcrnujny. His niother was Dar- 
bara Ann Concanour, a daughter of Jacob 
Concanour. She was reared in Owen County, 



whither her parents had removed when she 
was a child. Levi Fiscus and family removed 
to Marshall County, Iowa, where his wife 
died in 1866. He died at the residence of 
his son, Adam Fiscus, in Audubon County, 
October 4, 1884:, aged sixty-nine years. There 
were seven children in the family, six of 
whom are living, Elias being the oldest. He 
received a common-school education in Owen 
County, and remained on the farm with his 
parents until his twenty-first year. He then 
began to learn the carpenter and cabinet- 
maker's trade, which he followed many j'ears. 
He has worked at the trade some since he 
began farming. In the fall of 1865 he re- 
moved to Marshall Count}', Iowa, locating 
upon a farm nine miles northwest of Mar- 
shalltown. He resided there until the fall of 
1870, when he removed to Shelby County 
and settled near Harlan. He remained there 
one year, and then came to Audubon County, 
purchasing eighty acres in section 7, Douglas 
Township. This land he broke out and im- 
proved, adding from time to time to his first 
purchase, until he now owns 259 acres in an 
advanced state of cultivation. The soil is 
fertile and is watered by the Nishnabotna 
River. Mr. Fiscus has been one of the pio- 
neer stock-feeders, and has done much to ad- 
vance this branch of farming in the county. 
In 1860 he was married to Harriet Fiscus, of 
Owen County, Indiana, where she was born 
and reared. They have four children living 
— Benjamin F., Eliza Ann, wife of C. T. 
Wyley; Mary E., wife of A. H. Speas, and 
Walter S. Mr. Fiscus has served many years 
as township clerk, notary public and land 
agent. He takes an active part in politics, 
affiliating with the Democratic party. He is 
often chosen a delegate to conventions, a 
position he is well calculated to till. He be- 
gan the business of making a name for him- 
self without any capital excepting that with 



BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



789 



which Nature liad endowed hiin — energy and 
determination to succeed. That he has pros- 
pered is very evident to him who looks over 
tlie broad fields and cultivated lands belong- 
ing to our subject. He is a man highly re- 
spected in the community, and is well worthy 
the regard in which he is held. Mrs. Fiscus 
died January 30, 1888. She was a devoted 
member of the Christian church. Mr. Fiscus 
also belonfrs to this church, and is one of its 
elders. He is the inventor of the Automatic 
Grain Weigher and Register, patented Octo- 
ber 30, 1888, No. 391,888. 

— g ' i " t ' g ' " °' 



fAMES HALL is one of Cameron Town- 
ship's energetic farmers, who give char- 
acter and influence to a community. He 
was born in Stark County, Illinois, January 
14r, 1845, and is the second son of Kobert 
and Harriet (Marsh) Hall. The grandfather 
was Robert Hall, a native of England, wiio 
fought in the war of 1812 on the Britisii 
side. Robert Hall, the father of James, 
emigrated to America in 1836, and afterward 
married and settled in Stark County, Illi- 
nois, wliere he and his wife are still living. 
Tlio mother of our subject, Harriet Hall, was 
born in the State of Pennsylvania. Nine 
children were born to her and Robert Hall, 
six of whom are living. Tlie childhood and 
school days of James Hall were passed in 
Stark County, Illinois, where he received a 
greater part of his education in the dis- 
trict school. Later, however, lie entered the 
Princeton Academy in Pureau County, Illi- 
nois. After leaving school he began farming 
in his native county, and afterward spent 
some time in Bureau County. In the spring 
of 1881 Mr. Hull removed with his family 
to Audubon County, Iowa, locating upon his 
jiresent farm, which at that time was wild 



prairie land; and then the struggle began in 
opening out the farm and making a new 
home. He afterward purchased another IGO- 
acre tract, securing in one body 320 acres of 
most excellent land. The place is now well 
stocked with hogs and cattle, on which Mr. 
Hall has made the most of his money. He 
has had his reverses, as have had other farmers, 
but he has been generally very successful. 
He has erected a large, substantial residence, 
barns, and sheds for the protection of live- 
stock. Mr. Hall was united in marriage, in 
1875, to Miss Belle Hooker, of Peacham, 
Vermont, a daughter of Sanford Hooker, 
Esq. This union has been blessed with 6\x 
children — Scott, Jay, Florence, Lilia, Ilattie 
and Ellen E. Mr. Hall is an excellent judge 
of live-stock, and feeds from two to four car- 
loads annually. Like many other men who 
have made the most brilliant successes, Mr. 
Hall began his career on a very limited capi- 
tal, but industry and perseverance made up 
what was lacking in another direction. 

— S- 2 "i-2-' — 




i^ILLIAM J. CLARK, a jjrominent 
J farmer of Viola Township, has been 
l^=^rj a resident of Audubon County since 
1876. He was born in Warren County, 
Kentucky, August 30, 18-40, aiid is the old- 
est son of John M. and Mary (Renshaw) 
Clark. The father, a native of Tennessee, is 
a son of John Clark, and is still living, in his 
seventy-third year, having been born Jan- 
uary 11, 1817. The motlier, Mary Renshaw , 
was a daughter of Andrew Renshaw, an early 
settler of Kentucky; she died when William 
J. was seven years old. In 1844 John M. 
Clark removed with his family to Missouri, 
and thence to Jo Daviess County, Illinois, 
spending one year in that county; he then 
returned to Kentucky, and in 18(50 removed 



790 



niSTORT OF AUDUBON CWNTY. 



to Wisconsin, locating in Grant County. In 
1872 be removed to Slielby County, Iowa, 
and is still living there. He was twice mar- 
ried, and "William J. is the oldest of the chil- 
dren of the first marriage. A biography of 
John M. Clark appears in the history of 
Shelby County. The boyhood of William J. 
Clark was passed in Kentucky and Wiscon- 
sin, his education being obtained in the com- 
mon schools of the former State. His father 
being a farmer he was trained to agricultural 
pursuits. At the age of fourteen years he 
went to Wisconsin with his father, and re- 
mained with him until the breaking out of 
the civil war, when he enlisted in Company 
M, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and was as- 
signed to the western department of the 
army. He took part in the battles of Cabin 
Creek, Fort Gibson, Honey Springs, and 
skirmished through Missouri and Arkansas. 
He served his country faithfully for three 
years, three months and eight days, and was 
not wounded or taken prisoner. In March, 
1865, he was sent to Madison, Wisconsin, 
and there received his final discharge. He 
then repaired to the mining district of Wis- 
consin, and worked in the lead mines for two 
years. The three years following he was 
engaged in farming in Wisconsin, and in 1872 
he removed to Shelby County, Iowa, and re- 
sided there until 1876, when he came to 
Audubon County, as before stated. He pur- 
chased a farm on section 8, Viola Township, 
which contained 160 acres of raw prairie, 
paying $5 per acre; this place has been im- 
proved and brought to a high state of cultiva- 
tion by Mr. Clark. In 1888 he bought a 
tract of improved land in sections 4 and 5, 
which contains 174 acres. Since his resi- 
dence in Audubon County he has devoted his 
time to general farming. Mr. Clark was 
united in marriage in December, 1866, to 
Serena .J., the oldest daughter of Grcenberg 



and Charlotte (Henderson) Thompson, natives 
of Mississippi. At the time of their mar- 
riage Mrs. Clark lived in Grant County, 
Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the 
parents of eight children — John G., Emma 
S., Albert S., Sophrona M., Ella C, Martha, 
and Cliarlotte, who died in infancy. In Na- 
tional and State politics Mr. Clark is a straight 
Democrat. Ilehas served as township trustee, 
school director, and as road supervisor. 
Mr. Clark began his career at the bottom 
round of the ladder, but by industry, honor- 
able dealing and perseverance he has risen to 
a position of financial independence. 



fOIIN A. NASH, of the law firm of 
Nash, Phelps & Green, Audubon, Iowa, 
was born in Polk County, Iowa, in the 
city of Des Moines, May 9, 1854. He is the 
only son of a family of four children of Dr. 
J. A. and Mary (Hepburn) Nash. The boy- 
hood of John A. Nash was spent in Des 
Moines, where he attended tlie public scliools, 
after which he entered the University at Des 
Moines, from whicli he was graduated in 
1870. Immediately after his graduation he 
entered the law office of Brown & Dudley, 
prominent attorneys of Des Moines, with 
whom he read law for two years; he then 
entered the law school of Simpson Centenary 
College, and afterward was examined and 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of 
Iowa in 1870. He then went to Stuart, 
Iowa, where he was employed in the private 
office of C. S. Fogg for one year. In June, 
1878, Mr. Nash came to Exira, at which 
place he built up a good law business; here 
he was employed by the Rock Island & Pa- 
cific Raih-oad Company as their attorney to 
quiet the titles of lauds then owned by the 
company in Shelby, Crawford and Audubon 



BIOGRAPHICAL .^KE'JVJI MS. 



791 



counties. Mr. Nash had formed a partner- 
ship with Byron S. Phelps, which continued 
until 1882, when Mr. O. K. Holmes was taken 
into the firm, this partnership continuing 
for two years. In 1886 Mr. Green was taken 
into the firm. The business is conducted in 
the following way: Mr. Phelps makes all 
loans, Mr. Nash attends to the collections, 
real-estate and insurance, and Mr. Green 
manages the law business of the firm. Mr. 
Nash was united in marriapje with Miss Ger- 
trude Kussell, September 1, 1881; she is a 
daughter of George S. Russell, a prominent 
merchant of Audubon, and a native of 
Stougliton, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Nash 
are the parents of two daughters — Beatrice 
and Gretchen. Mr. Nash is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M., Godfrey Commandery, No. 
44; Audubon Lodge, No. 163, K. of P., and 
of the I. O. R. M. He is also a member of 
the school board. 



[ILLIAM McLERAN, proprietor of 
McLeran's stock ranch, one mile west 
of Audubon, is one of Audubon 
County's thorough-going, successful citizens, 
of whom no reasonable man ever has aught to 
complain. The best and truest index to any 
man's character and life is the general 
opinion entertained of him by his nearest 
neighbors, and those with whom he dealt 
from day to day. Mr. McLeran's success as a 
stock-grower and farmer comes largely from 
the fact that he has always been tliorougli- 
going and painstaking, and never afraid to 
do hard work himself. Li a volume of this 
character, which is to be handed down from 
generation to generation, it is ^indeed fitting 
that some record be here made of one who 
has gained a competency for himself and 
family wholly by virtue of his own industry 




and unremitting zeal. His has been a life to 
which one may refer any young man as a 
good one to pattern after, with all assurance 
of abundant success. It requires more real, 
true manhood, and genuine worth for one to 
begin life unaided by friends and wealthy 
relatives than it does to have ready capital 
to commence on; however, the strongest 
characters of American history have been 
forged and wrought by boys who have been 
obliged to carve their own way to final suc- 
cess. Mr. McLeran, who has been a citizen 
of Audubon County since 1879, is a native 
of the old Green Mountain State, Vermont. 
He was born October 24, 1824, in the town 
of Barnett, Orleans County; his parents were 
William and Eliza (Gleason) McLeran; his 
Grandfather McLeran was also named Will- 
iam; he served as a soldier in the war of 
1812, and lived to an advanced age. William, 
Jr., died when eighty-one years old. The 
mother of our subject was of English descent, 
born in Massachusetts, and died at Rochester, 
New York; her remains now rest at Barnett, 
Vermont. Mr. McLeran passed his youth 
and received his education at Barnett, Ver- 
mont, living at home on the farm until he 
was about twenty years of age, at which 
time he engaged in railroad business in New 
England and Pennsylvania, both as- a con- 
structor and an operator; he ran the second 
locomotive ever built in the United States. 
It was of a crude and curious desisrn, and 
has for years been on public exhibition in 
the city of Philadelphia; it was among the 
curiosities at the Centennial Exposition of 
1876, where Mr. McLeran last saw it. In 
1851 he was married to Miss Betsey Blanch- 
ard, the third daughter of Simon and Betsey 
(Spencer) Hlaiichard. She was born Decem- 
ber 9, 1829, at Peacham, Vermont, where 
she grew to womanhood. There she obtained 
an excellent education, graduating from the 



792 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON GOUnTY. 



coiintj academy, operated on the endowment 
plan; it was accounted one of the Ijost edu- 
cational institutions of New England at that 
time. After leaving school she at once began 
teaching, and followed it for several years, 
becoming a very popular and successful 
teacher. Three years after his marriage Mr. 
McLeran emigrated with his wife to Illinois; 
at first he rented land near Rock River for a 
year, after which he bought eighty acres in 
Bureau County, of that State; here he re- 
mained for nearly a quarter of a century, 
twenty-four years, during which period he was 
successful as a farmer and stock grower, his 
attention beiug especially directed to swine- 
growing. Mr. and Mrs. McLeran are the 
parents of nine children, eight of whom still 
live — Abbie, wife of E. D. Van Court; Si- 
mon J3.; Helen M., wife of F. H. Chidister, 
of Aurora, Nebraska; Fannie C, now at- 
tending school away from home; "Walter 
Palmer, at home; George Ralph, at Com- 
mercial College at Omaha, Nebraska; Her- 
bert Morris, at home attending school; and 
Charles Stuart, at home. The deceased, 
named Bessie Blanchard, died in infancy. 
Upon selling out in Bureau County, Illinois, 
in March, 1870, Mr. McLeran removed to 
Audubon County, purchasing at first a quar- 
ter section of land of the Rock Island Rail- 
road Company. He now has a fine farm of 
beautifully rolling prairie land, located on 
sections 19 and 30, township 80, range 35, 
west, and in the civil township of Leroy, 
which is one mile west from Audubon, the 
county seat. The first season he was in the 
county he had 400 acres broken, besides at- 
tending to the erection of a fine frame resi- 
dence that would do honor as a city house. 
He is at present as comfortably situated as 
any farmer in his county, and is steadily in- 
creasing his possessions by thrifty farming 
and stock-growing. He now has hundreds of 



fine cattle, hogs and horses upon his farm. 
His premises are well adapted to stock-grow- 
ing and feeding, as he has established a fine 
system of water-works, by which a wind- 
mill becomes the power in pumping water to 
a large tank in the stock-yards and barn. 
He grinds and mashes all the large corn crop 
he produces, after which it is judiciously fed 
to stock. He makes a special point of de- 
horning all his horned stock, and has become 
especiall}' successful in the feeding of young 
stock. Everything about the place displays 
the art, so often lost sight of by farmers, 
that of order. In political views Mr. Mc- 
Leran is what might be termed conservative; 
however, in State and National politics he 
always votes the Democratic ticket. He has 
never aspired to public office, but always 
tells those who seek to press him into such 
positions, which he might ably fill, that his 
office is in his cattle yards. As one views his 
large possessions, and sees how successfully 
all parts are carried on, and then pauses to 
think of the fact, that when he landed in Illi- 
nois in 1854 all his earthly possessions were 
found in his most estimable wife and two 
children, and $123, it goes without saying 
that all has come from patient toil and 
frugal management. 



►^M^-i- 



fOHN NASH, D. D., President of the 
University of Des Moinfes, an educator 
of much experience and wide reputation, 
is a native of Sherburne, Chenango County, 
New York. He was born July 11, 1816. 
When he was five years old his father died, 
and he was brought up by an aunt on a fiirm 
in Otsego County. At the age of twenty he 
entered the preparatory department of Madi- 
son University, and graduated from that in- 
stitution in 1842, and from the theological 



BIOGRA PUI CA L S KETCHES. 






seminary at the same place, in 1844. His 
tirst pastorate was at "NVatertown, New York, 
wliere lie spent six years. January 3, 1851, 
he came to Des Moines, Iowa, where he has 
since made his home. lie immediately 
gathered the Baptists together, organized a 
church, and was its pastor for eighteen years; 
he also taught a large portion of this time. 
About the year 1835 he started a select 
school, which grew into what was long known 
as the Forest Home Seminar}'. Des Moines 
being centrally located in the State, and some 
inducements being held out to the Baptists, 
it was resolved to establish an institution 
there for the higher order of education, and 
the University of Des Moines is the result 
of that movement; it was organized in April, 
1865. Dr. Nash became its financial agent, 
and labored in tiiis capacity, with some inter- 
ruption, for four years, when his health broke 
down. This was not, however, until some 
time after the brick building on the hill in 
Des Moines had been completed, and the in. 
stitutiou was in operation. During the 
peri(jd that Dr. Nasli was regaining his 
health he was superintendent of the schools 
of Polk County, his term expiring January 
1, 1874. Prior to this date, in the autumn 
of 1872, he became acting president of the 
University, and liad been at its head three 
years, when lion. Frederick Mott became 
president. After tilling the ]iosition a little 
over a year lie resigned, and Dr. Nash was 
again placed in the presidential chair in May, 
1877. Since his residence in Des Moines 
Dr. Nash has accomplished a great religious 
work, having organized two Baptist churches 
on the east side of the river, and being 
largely instrumental in the formation of 
nearly thirty other churches in central Iowa. 
Every good cause receives his hearty and 
powerful support. Dr. Nash has been twice 
married — first in July, 1846, to Miss Jennie 



C. Calhoun, of Wellsford, Monroe County, 
New York; she died P'ebruary 3, 1851, with- 
out children. His sece>nd marriage was 
March 15, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Hepburn, 
a native of New York, residing at the time 
of marriage at Augusta, Lee County, Iowa. 
They have four children — John A., Jennie 
C, Nettie and Mattie. 

S ' > ' t ' 2" "' 




^^EAD P. STllAHL, an agriculturist 
of A^iola Township, was born in Bel- 
i0^ mont County, Ohio, August 29, 1844, 
and is the youngest of seven children of 
Thomas and Sarah (Mead) Strahl. Tiie par- 
ents were born and reared in Ohio, and the 
mother died there when Mead P. was one 
year old; his father removed to Illinois, and 
thence to Nebraska, where he died in 1878. 
Sarah Mead was a daughter of Joseph Mead, 
a native of Pennsylvania, of Quaker faith; 
he was an early settler of Belmont County, 
Ohio. Mead P. Strahl passed his youth in 
his native count}', receiving his education in 
the pioneer log school-house. In the spring 
of 1866 he went to Ogle County, Illinois, 
and engaged in fanning, making his home 
there until 1883, when he removed to Audu- 
bon County. He purchased 160 acres of 
choice land, which is now well improved; 
there is a good substantial residence, barns 
and cribs, and the situation and neighborhood 
cannot be surpassed. Mr. Strahl devotes his 
time to general farming and stock-raisin <». 
He was married in 1870 to Miss Alice J. 
Donaldson, of Ogle County, Illinois, a daugh- 
ter of James and Kate Donaldson ; she was 
born and reared in Ogle County. Ten chil- 
dren liave been born of this marriaore — Eva 
J., Ida F., James C, Ella G., Frank, Fred 
T., William S., Myrtle A., Verna K. anil 
Pearl. Mr. Strahl is director of school dis- 



nisrouY ov audubon county. 



trict No. 4, and is supervisor of road district 
No. 3. In Jnne, 186.3, he enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and served nine months. 
He took part in the raid in Cumberland Gap 
and capture of General Frazier; thence he 
was ordered to Clinch River, and in March, 
1864, he was mustered out of the service. 
He re-enlisted in the 100-days' regiment, 
and did duty in the Shenandoah Valley of 
Virginia under General Sheridan. At the 
expiration of the 100 days he enlisted in the 
Fifteenth Ohio Volunteers as a recruit, serv- 
intr until the close of the war. He was 
ordered north in December, 1865, and was 
discharged the 28th of that month. He then 
returned to his old home in Ohio, and en- 
gaged in the more peaceful as well as more 
profitable occujiation of farming. Mr. Strahl 
is a member of the G. A. R. post at Dedhara, 
Carroll County, Iowa. He began life with 
little capital but pluck, energy and a deter- 
mination to succee<l, and these traits have 
brought their reward. 

... .. ? . i ii ; « ^ ...<^ 



I^NSON E. ALLEN, of Viola Township, 
is the possessor of one among the best 
farms in the township. As an agri- 
culturist and raiser of hogs and cattle, Mr. 
Allen occupies the front rank. He began 
his way in life without means, but by hard 
labor, economy, and good management he has 
acquired a good competence. He was born 
in Ticonderoga, New York, October 5, 1838, 
and is the fourth in a family of eight chil- 
dren, five boys and three girls. The father, 
La Fayette Allen, was born in East Middle- 
bury, Vermont, in 1806. He was a farmer 
and merchant by occupation, and was a son 
of Ebenezer Allen, who was a distant relative 
of Ethan Allen. Tiie mother of A. E. Allen 



was Betsey Orkin, daughter of James and 
Nancy Orkin, who was born in New Hamp- 
shire in 1810. James Orkin was born in 
p]ngland, and was brought to America at the 
age of seven years; he was a soldier in the 
war of 1812. The motherof La Fayette Allen, 
father of our subject, was a Van Rennselaer, 
of Hollandish descent. La Fayette Allen re- 
moved with his family and settled in Rut- 
land County, Vermont, where he passed the 
remainder of his days. At the death of his 
father A. E. Allen was but eleven years old; 
he was sent to the common school, and later 
attended a select school at Brandon, Vermont. 
He resided with his mother until he had 
attained his eighteenth year, when he drifted 
west to Jones County, Iowa. In 1862 Mr. 
Allen enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fourth 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, going into camp; his 
company was assigned to the western army, 
where he did faithful service, and was dis- 
charged in 1863, after which he returned to 
Jones County, Iowa. He then engaged in 
farming, buying and shipping stock to the 
eastern markets on the large scale, and coti- 
tinued in this business for a period of fifteen 
years, in which he was successful, although 
he commenced on a small capital. In 1882 
Mr. Allen removed from Jones County, Iowa, 
to Audubon County, purchasing seven eighty- 
acre tracts of land; he afterward bought 
otiier tracts until he owned 880 acres, a part 
of which he sold, leaving one section, 640 
acres. This farm is most admirably situated, 
being on one of the branches of the Nishna- 
botna River and the most of the land is in 
a fine state of cultivation. The farm is well 
stocked with cattle and hogs for the protec- 
tion of which Mr. Allen has provided a number 
of sheds; the large water supply needed is 
furnished by a windmill, with several tanks, 
all being arranged with an eye to convenience. 
Mr. Allen has a large substantial residence, 



niOORA PlIICA L SKETCHES. 



7U5 



situated upon an elevated plain, cominaiiding 
a flue view of tlie surrounding country. He 
lias been twice married — first in 1864 to 
Mary Gilbert, who was born in 1844:, and 
died in 1S73, leaving three boys — Charles, a 
fanner; Frank, of tiie tirin of Allen & Crane, 
editors of the Audubon County Advocate, 
and Horace, now living with4iis grandmother 
in Vermont. Mr. Allen's second wife was 
Catherine Knight, who died in Jones County, 
Iowa, in 1879, leaving one little daughter — 
Emma Kate. In political matters Mr. Allen 
is rather conservative, voting as a rule the 
Republican ticket. lie and his two sons 
served in the late civil war. His grandfather, 
Ebenezer Allen, served in the war of 1812. 



iOBERT BAKER, farmer and stock- 
rA«\ raiser of Viola Township, is a native of 
England, born in Carlton Scrook, Au- 
crust 3, 1817. He is tiie eldest son of Charles 
and Mary Baker. II is father was a tamer 
and breaker of horses. Robert Baker was 
reared to the life of a farmer, but his educa- 
tion was entirely neglected, as he was never 
sent to school. He worked by the year until 
his marriage, which occurred May 20, ^814, 
to Eliza Ower, the youngest of eleven chil- 
dren of Thomas and Mary (Clay) Ower. In 
1851 Mr. Baker and his family emigrated 
from England to America, landing in the city 
of New York. From that city they went to 
Davenport, Iowa, making part of the journey 
by the lakes, and the rest by teams. They 
located and bought property in Davenport, 
and Mr. Baker cultivated a farm in Scott 
County. In 1870 the Baker family came to 
Audubon Coimty, Iowa, and settled on sec- 
tion 16, Melville Township, and the following 
year he removed to his present farm, which 



contains 280 acres of fine land, well improved. 



He is e.Ntensively engaged in feeding stock, 
making large shipments annually. Mr. and 
Mrs. Baker are the parents of seven children ' 
— Mary J., wife of Charles Hoffman; Will- 
iam, at home; Anna, wife of C. L. Ilotch- 
kiss; John T., married Minerva Hooton; 
Sarah J., wife of John Oliver; James K., 
married Ella Hooton; Nellie, wife of E. J. 
Smith. They have twenty-two grand-chil- 
dren. Wiien Mr. Baker moved from Rock 
Island to Davenport he had but 75 cents in 
money, a wife and three children; but his 
enei-gy, industry and good management have 
brought their reward. He has accumulated 
a handsome competency for himself and wife 
in their declining years. They are both hale 
and hearty and active in mind and body, the 
hardships they endured in the infancy of tlie 
county seeming to give strength and vigor to 
both. 



Il(g-^0WARD J. GREEN, deceased, was 
born in the State of New York, Rensse- 
laer County, May 4, 1828. Blis parents 
were Allen and Clarissa Green, natives of 
New York. The youth of Mr. Green was 
passed in his native county in attending tho 
public schools. At the age of si.\teen years 
he went to Williamstowii, Massachusetts, and 
there served an apprenticeship to a machinist 
for three years. After learning his trade he 
remained in the shops for some time. He 
then went to Chicopee, Massachusetts, and 
entered the employ of Ames & Company, 
continuing there three years. About tliis 
time Mr. Green was t.iken with the western 
fever, and came to Iowa, settling in Jackson 
County, on a farm which he cultivated three 
years. He then removed to Audubon County 
and took up his abode on liis present farm, 
lie built the first saw-mill on a branch of tiie 



60 



I 



796 



BISTORT OP AUDUBON COUNTY. 



Botna Creek, and operated it for some time. 
He did all the sawing for the neighborhood, 
•and having steam power he did a profitable 
business. After selling the mill he turned 
his attention to farming. The place he had 
bought on first coming to the county was raw 
prairie and contained eighty acres, but he has 
added to this until his farm now consists of 
160 acres, twenty of which are in timber and 
the remainder under fine cultivation. Mr. 
Green passed from this life June 2, 1873. 
He was an enterprising citizen, and was filled 
with that public spirit to whicli all commu- 
nities owe their advancement and growth. 
At the time of his death Mr. Green was a 
member of the board of supervisors. His 
political interests lay very near the interests 
of the Republican party. By industry and 
energy Mr. Green had accumulated a large 
estate. He was married November 28, 1850, 
to Miss Cordelia M. Reed, a daughter of Nel- 
son and Theodocia (Holcomb) Reed. She was 
born in Grauby, Connecticut, and was reared 
and educated in her native town. Seven chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Green — 
Emma C, wife of John R. Tliacker; Henry 
H., Clara A., Dewey W. (deceased), Walter 
W., Edwin E. and Mary Grace. Mrs. Green's 
grandfather. Jacob Holcomb, was a soldier in 
the war of tlie Revolution. 



19* • HI 



fOHN D. WAYCOFF, an active and 
successful farmer of Viola Township, 
was born in Greene County, Pennsyl- 
vania, near Waynesburgh, March 4, 1839. 
His father, Jacob "Waycoft', was born in the 
Isle of Jersey, and when quite young his 
parents moved to the State of Maryland, 
where he grew to manhood. He then went 
to Greene County, Pennsylvania, and was 
).here marrjed to Miss Nq.ncy Bowen. After 



his marriage Jacob WaycofF settled perma- 
nently in Greene County, and lived there 
until liis death, which occurred in 1859, in 
his seventy-first year. His wife, Nancy, died 
in 1879. They were the parents of twelve 
children, four of whom are deceased. John 
D. is the youngest son and the eleventh 
child. He grew to maturity in his native 
county, passing his youth in farm work and 
attending the common school. At the age 
of twenty Mr. Waycoff was married to Cath- 
erine Hunt, of Greene County, Pennsylvania, 
a daughter of Philip and Hannah J. (Darnell) 
Hunt. After marriage they settled in Greene 
County for a time, and then removed to Ben- 
ton County, iowa, remaining there ten years. 
Iti 1883 Mr. "Waycoff removed his family to 
Audubon County, Iowa, and located on his 
present farm on section 7. The place con- 
tains 147 acres, all well improved. Twelve 
children ha^e been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Waycoff, ten of whom are living — Morgan 
J., Mary E., the wife of George V. Hartman; 
John E., Lewis J., Frank C, William J., 
George H., Oliver L., Samuel S. and Alonzo. 
Albert Y. and Nettie May died in infancy. 
Mr. Waycoff has served as school director 
for nine years. He is a member of Florence 
Lodge, No. 404, I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. 
R. During the Rebellion he enlisted in the 
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company F, 
and was assigned to the Army of the Cum- 
berland, General Rosecrans commanding. 
The first sound of battle was at Antietam, 
and then followed many skirmishes and bat- 
tles in which our subject did faithful service. 
After the battle of Mission Ridge he went 
through East Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, 
North Carolina and South Carolina, and at 
tlie surrender of General Lee was at Lincoln- 
ton, North Carolina. He followed Jeff Davis 
in his flight, and after his capture he went to 
Nashville, Tennessee, and was honorably dis- 



BIOOHAPHIOAL SKETGIIHS. 



797 



charged in June, 1865. He then returned to 
Greene County, Pennsj'lvania, and engaged 
in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Waycotf are mein- 
hers of the Methodist Episcopal eliurch, 
worshiping at Earhart's school house. Mrs. 
Waycoff was born in West Virginia, Sep- 
tember 1, 1839. 



^EORGE W. C. GILLESPIE, an active 
'ttajJII ^"^ enterprising farmer of Viola Town- 
ship, was born in Alabama, near Mobile, 
February 22, 1851, and is a .«on of George 
W. C. and Virtue (Turner) Gillespie. The 
mother was born in Lincolnshire, England, 
and the father was a native of Tennessee. 
He followed flat-boating on the Tennessee 
and Mississippi rivers until he was twenty- 
si.K years of age. Quitting the river, he run 
a plantation, engaging in cattle-raising. He 
lost heavily in this business, and in 1848 he 
came to Burlington, Iowa, and purchased a 
saw- mill, which he continued to operate for 
tiiree years. In 1853 Mr. Gillespie removed 
to Marion County, Iowa, and located at Knox- 
ville, where he engaged in contracting and 
building for six years. In 1863 he removed 
to Grinnell, Iowa, and resides there at the 
present. His children live in Iowa, e.xcept- 
ing three. George W. C. Gillespie, Jr., 
l)assed his youth in Knoxville and Grinnell. 
• He attended school until he was thirteen 
years old, when lie took charge of the farm, 
his father being from home most of the time. 
At the age of twenty-one years he was mar- 
ried to Catherine Ellis, of Grinnell, Iowa, a 
daughter of Solon and I'lioebe Ellis. In 
1874 he removed to Audubon County and 
settled on his present farm, when his nearest 
neighbor was two miles distant. He broke 
the iirst furrow on his farm, which is now 
under good cultivation, and bus made many 



valuable improvements. Tlie farm contains 
160 acres, which is well stocked with high- 
grade animals. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are 
the parents of^even children— Ross E., Ger- 
trude M., Mary E., Nellie B., James G., 
Jessie L. and Celia V. Mr. Gillespie has 
represented his township as trustee and as 
road supervisor. In politics he votes the Re- 
publican ticket. He is a member of the A. 
O. U. W. He is also a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church at Coon Rapids, of 
which he has been steward for eight years. 
The Gillespie family are of Scotch descent, 
the first emigrants coming to America about 
the time of the Revolutionary war. 



HEODORE F. MYERS, attorney a 
P law, Audubon, Iowa, is a native of the 
^^ Ilawkeye State, and was born in Powe- 
shiek County, February 9, 1859. He is the 
fourth child in a family of seven children, 
all of M'hom are livii:g. He is the son of 
John A. and Mary E. Myers, natives of Ger- 
many. The father was a merchant during 
the active years of his life, and is now retired 
and liviftg at Montezuma, Iowa. John A. 
Myers and wife emigrated to America and 
were among the first actual settlers in Powe- 
shiek County, Iowa. Theodore F., the sub- 
ject of this notice, was reared in the town of 
Montezuma, and received iiis education iti 
the common schools of this jilace. At the 
age of nineteen he began teaching. He after- 
ward went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he ac- 
cepted a position as assistant book-keeper in 
the firm of Comstock's Stove Works. He 
served in this capacity until the spring of 
1880, when he came to Andulion and accepted 
a position as clerk in the hardware store of 
Martin & Keller. He remained here until 
the fall of ISSl, wlu-n ho entered the law 



798 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



office of Joseph L. Stotts. In six months 
he was made a member of the firm, and at 
the end of a year tlie firm was chancred to 
Andrews, Stotts & Myers. J'his firm con- 
tinued to transact business until 1886, when 
the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Myers 
continued the law practice alone. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1883. In October, 
1881, Mr. Myers was united in marriage 
to Miss Lydia M. Haines, of Washington, 
Iowa, a daughter of Gilbert Haines, of the 
State of New York, who was one of the 
early settlers in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Myers 
have one daughter — Helen Gray. Mr. Myers 
owns several good farms in Audubon County, 
and some Kansas lands. lie is a member of 
Aretas Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is an active 
politician, and votes with the Republican party. 
He has often served as delegate to conventions, 
and as chairman of township committees. 



— & ' i"t ' ^ '*'" — 

iNDKEW F. ARMSTROjS'G, of the 
firm of Freeman & Armstrong, bankers 
and dealers in real-estate and loans, is 
a native of Licking County, Ohio, boru Octo- 
ber 28, 1851. He is next to the yotingest of 
eleven children, of whom six still survive. 
The father of A. F. Armstrong is William 
Armstrong, a farmer by occupation, and a 
native of Pennsylvania, now a resident of 
Muskingum County, Ohio. The mother, 
Jane E. Gibson, a native of Pennsylvania, 
died January 11, 1881. Andrew F. Arm- 
strong, the subject of this notice, passed his 
boyhood on a farm in his native county, and 
then moved with his parents to Norwich, 
Muskingum County, Ohio, where he spent 
three years; in the spring of 1804 he returnt'd 
to Licking County. He attended school, and 
in 1860 began teaching. On September 13, 
1871, he entered tlie Ohio Wesleyan Univer- 



sity at Delaware, where he pursued his 
studies and graduated in 1876. After gradu- 
ation he studied law at Zanesville, Ohio, with 
A. AV. Train, a prominent attorney of that 
place. He was admitted to the bar in the 
fall of 1879. April 1, 1880, Mr. Armstrong 
came to Audubon, opening a law office in 
connection with real estate and loans. In 
September, 1882, he formed a co-partnership 
with E. J. Freeman, who is now cashier of the 
Citizens' Bank of Audubon. The firm does 
a general banking business, besides dealing 
extensively in real-estate. Mr. Armstrong 
was married October 18, 1883, to Miss Clara 
S. Townsend, of Zanesville, Ohio, adaughter of 
William Townsend, of that place. They have 
two daughters — Lulu T. and Helen L. Mr. 
Armstrong was elected Mayor of Audubon in 
March, 1888 ; and re-elected in March, 1889. 
He was treasurer of the school board from 1883 
to 1888. lie was a member of the board of 
supervisors, serving two years, and in the fall of 
1888 was re-elected to serve three years from 
January 1, 1889. He is a member of Veritas 
Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., and of Amity 
Chapter, No. 93, and Godfrey Commandery, 
Nu. 4:4; he is now Eminent Commander of 
the Commandery. 



EORGE B. RUSSELL, a prominent 
business man of Audubon, of the firm 
of G. B. Russell & Sons, dealers in 
dry goods, boots and shoes, and gentlemen's 
furnishing goods, is a native of Scotland. He 
was born February 10, 1833, and when five 
years of age his parents emigrated to Amer- 
ica, landing in New York City, where they 
remained until George was twelve years old; 
they then removed to Portland, Dodge 
County, Wisconsin. Charles Russell, the 
father, a farmer by occupation, has retired. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



799 



and is now living in Stonghton, Wisconsin, 
at the advanced age of eightj-five years. 
His mother, Ellen Crawford Tlussell, was 
a native of Scotland. Charles Kussell 
and wife were the parents of three chil- 
dren — James Kussell, of the State of 
Georgia, one son deceased, and George B. 
Hussell, the subject of this notice. He re- 
ceived the greater part of his education in 
New York, for on going to Wisconsin his 
scliool days hud ended in a measure. At that 
time Indians were iiumercius, and thesiirhtof 
them was as common as the sifflit of the 
whites. Young Russell remained on the 
farm with his parents until reaching his 
nineteenth year, when he went to tlie State 
of Georgia, where he remained two years, en- 
gaged in the bricklayer's trade. On his re- 
turn to Wisconsin he was occupied with farm- 
ing, and then with clerking in a store. In 
1872 he removed to E.xira, where he opened 
a stock of general merchandise, at the same 
time continuing his farming interests. By 
honest dealing and close application to busi- 
ness he built up a large and prosperous mer- 
cantile trade. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Rus- 
sell started a store in Audubon, which was 
managed by his oldest son, Charles Russell, 
he himself continuing the management of 
the business in Exira. In 1880 Mr. Rus- 
sell's family removed to Audubon, and he 
afterward closed the business at E.xira, and 
concentrated all his capital in Audubon, 
where he has since resided. In 1888 he re- 
moved his old store building, a frame struct- 
ure, 24 X 86 feet, and erected a line three- 
story brick on the same lot. The size of the 
present store is 30 x 100 feet. The first floor 
is occupied by a stock of goods, the second- 
story is fitted up in offices, and the balance 
of the building is finished for an opera house, 
which is well supplied with attractive scen- 
ery and all the e(j[uipmcnts of a first-class 



opera house. It has a seating capacity of 
600, and is an enterprise for which Mr. 
Russell deserves great credit. In 1857 Mr. 
Russell was united in marriage t<j Miss Jane 
Hutchinson, of Lowell, Dodge County, Wis- 
consin, who is a native of the State of New 
York, and a daughter of Henry and Gertrude 
Hutchinson. The father died in New York, 
and after his death the mother and family 
removed to Wisconsin. Mrs. Russell is^>a 
person of unusual domestic qualities, and is 
perfectly at home amid her honsuliold duties. 
Mr. and Mrs. Russell have four children — 
Agnes R., Charles, a member of the firm of 
G. B. Russell & Son ; Gertrude C, the wife 
of John A. Nash, and James F., also a mem- 
ber of the firm. Mr. Russell commenced at 
the bottom of the ladder, but has not re- 
mained there. He owns several good farms 
in Audubon County, which he rents, and he 
has a neat, substantial residence, tastefully 
finished and furnished. In politics he takes 
an active part, voting for the man whom he 
thinks best fitted for the ofilce. While he is 
not a member of any church he is a strong 
advocate of temperance in all things. He is 
public spirited, and ever stands ready and 
willing to assist in any work tending to the 
good of the community. 



fOHN F. CLOUGHLY, physician and 
surgeon, Audubon, Iowa, was born in 
Canada, in April, 1858. He is a son of 
John and Sarah (Kirkland) Cloughly, who 
came to the United States when our subject 
was nine years old. The father, when in 
business, was actively engaged in the boot 
and shoe trade, and is now residinar in 
Bucklin, Missouri. The mother died soon 
after coming to the United States. Ur. 
Cloughly spent his boyhood at Mitchellviile, 



800 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



lovva; he was educated at Mitchellville Col- 
lege, and at the Central University at Pella, 
Iowa. He began the study of medicine at 
Mitchellville, Iowa, under Dr. T. Seeines. 
lie then went to Keokuk, Iowa, wliere he 
entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, graduating from that institution in 
1878. lie practiced his profession for live 
years, and then entered the medical college 
at, Louisville, Kentucky, graduating in 1883. 
In 1878 Dr. Cloughly caiue to Audubon, 
where he has built up a large jjractice. In 
1881 he erected a business block, two stories 
high, with basement; the basement is occu- 
pied by the Advocate, the first floor by a 
drug store, and the second floor by offices and 
a photogra]ih gallery. He was married in 
January, 1886, to Miss Minnie Shoesmith 
of North Branch, Guthrie County, Iowa, 
who was a daughter of Stephen Shoesmith. 
The Doctor is a prominent Mason, and is a 
member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392. He 
commenced life without means, and by close 
application to his profession he has acquired 
a handsome property; his drug store contains 
a large and well-selected stock of goods, and 
is complete in every department. He trans- 
acts a large and profitable business, and is a 
most genial and agreeable gentleman. Dr. 
John F. Cloughly departed this life in Janu- 
ary, 1889, after the notes of this brief 
biography had been given by him. 



~»-*a*^J^*""*°^ 

lEORGE GRAY. There is no one 

among the business men of Audubon 
who has given the grain trade a greater 
impetus, who has added more to the com- 
mercial and financial standing of the town, 
who has pushed her interests farther, than 
George Gray. He started his business almost 
with the birth of the town, and no one has 



stuck to his purpose more tenaciously than 
the subject of this brief biography. Mr. 
Gray was born on a farm in the State of 
Vermont, August 9, 1886. He is the young- 
est of a family of eleven children, and is a 
son of William and Isabel (Roben) Gray; the 
father was a native of Vermont, a sturdy 
farmer, and a man of great strength of pur- 
pose and force of character; after his marriage 
he settled in Caledonia County, Vermont, 
where he lived the remainder of his days; he 
died at the age of seventy-two years. The 
mother was born in Scotland, and was of a 
strong mind, and of a vigorous constitution; 
she died at the ripe old age of ninety-two 
years. The grandfather of George Gray, 
William Gray, was a descendant from an old 
Scotch family. George Gray passed his youth 
in his native county, receiving his education 
in the common school and in a seminary. On 
reaching his twenty-first year he started in 
the battle of life on his own account. Drift- 
ing as far west as Stark County, Illinois, he 
was employed to work on a farm for §20 per 
month; as his means increased he invested in 
land, and was soon able to begin farming: hia 
own land; he devoted considerable time in 
stock-raising, and was very successful in tliis. 
He continued to invest in land. While yet 
living in Illinois he bought 1,160 acres of 
land in Audubon County, and 160 in Union 
County, Iowa. While residing in Illinois he 
improved over 1,000 acres. Having disposed 
of his property in Illinois, he removed to 
Stuart, Iowa, where he engaged in the grain, 
lumber and stock business; he carried this on 
successfully for seven years, during which 
time he purchased 4,000 acres of land in 
Audubon and Carroll counties, the whole of 
which he improved. In one season he sowed 
3,000 acres to wheat, and the season being 
favorable, he realized a handsome profit on 
it. In 1880 Mr. Gray began dealing in 



BIOORAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 



801 



wheat iti Andubon ; this he shipped to Chicago 
and intermediate points. He has erected an 
elevator at tlie town of Gray on the North- 
western Railroad, at a cost of $10,000; be- 
sides his elevator, he has two large ware- 
houses at Audubon, and one at Ross, Iowa. 
He still carries on farming in connection with 
his grain dealing. He has also shipped stock, 
principally handling that of his own raising. 
In 1874 Mr. Gray was married to Miss 
Fannie A. Sjiencer, a woman of unusual 
purity and force of character. She was a 
native of Stark County, Illinois. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gray are the parents of one son — 
George S. Gray. The mother died Novem- 
ber 9, 1888; the very large number attending 
the last riles of interment attested the love 
and honor in whicli she was held. Mr. Gray 
takes an active part in politics, affiliating 
with the Republican party; he lias served as 
delegate to the congressional and judicial 
conventions. He is public-spirited, and liberal 
in contributing in any enterprise tending to 
benelit the community. 



►4w^ 



|EORGE McCAIN, one of the well-to-do 
farmers of Melville Township, located 
on section 16, in the month of Septem- 
ber, 1870. At first he purchased eighty 
acres of land, one-half of his present farm, 
which is all well improved. Mr. McCain 
was born in the village of St. Omer, Indiana, 
December 30, 1839. lie is the youngest of 
a family of ten children. His parents were 
William and Mary (McCarty) McCain, who 
lived for a time in Wayne County, Indiana, 
near the village of Centerville, at that time 
the county seat. Later on they removed to St. 
Omer, Decatur County, Iixliana, where the 
father engaged in farming and mercantile 
business. He died in 1845, and the mother. 



May 8, 1878, at the age of seventy-three 
years. Of the ten children only five are liv- 
ing; a brother of our subject in Indiana, one 
in r.ansas, otie sister in Colorado, and one in 
Iowa. Mr. McCain, like most men of his 
age, received his education under many dis- 
advantages, within a rude log school-house, 
provided with slab seats. The teacher was 
paid by private subscription. The youthful 
days of our subject were spent for the most 
part upon his father's farm. At the outbreak 
of the civil war he enlisted as a member of 
Company K, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry. He saw much hard service during 
his army life. His first engagement was at 
Edwards' Ferry, at the time of the Balls 
Bluff disaster. In the fall of 1861 his com- 
mand went into winter quarters, and in the 
spring crossed over into Virginia, going over 
the Blue Ridge Mountains. He received his 
discharge in May, 1862, at the city of Wash- 
ington, D. C, after which he returned to his 
home, and enlisted in the thirty days' regi- 
ment, formed to protect the country against 
the Morgan raiders. In December, 1863, he 
enlisted in the three years' service at Greens - 
burg, Indiana, as a private soldier; but he 
soon after became Sergeant-Major, and Au- 
gust 9, 1864, he was commissioned as First 
Lieutenant of Company G. They were sent 
to Nashville, Tennessee, and became part 
of General Ilovey's Hoosier troops, and then 
went South with General Sherman, prepara- 
tory to entering the Atlanta campaign. Mr. 
McCain was in the fall of Atlanta, and tells 
many thrilling scenes in connection with this 
great event. From Atlanta, under the com- 
mand of General Thomas, he marched to the 
north into Tennessee, where his regiment 
did various duties; he finally took a steamer, 
via Ohio lliver for Cincinnati, and went 
thence by rail to Washington, I). (J. He 
was then ordered to Amlcrson, going down 



802 



niSTonr of audubon county. 



tlie Potomac River into Chesapeake Bay, and 
to Cajie Fear lliver, North Carolina; he then 
crossed the countr}' to Moorehead City, en- j 
gaging in a three days' figlit at Wieser Forks, 
and defeating General Hooks. The company 
then marched to Goldshoro, North Carolina, 
where they made junction with Sherman's 
ni'my; there they remained until the sur- 
render of General Johnston's army took 
place. The rest of the season, np to August, 
1805, was put in at guard duty; but on the 
25th of that month Mr. McCain received his 
final discharge, and returned to Decatur 
County, Indiana. Having thus faithfully 
served both as a private and an officer, in an 
army which had finally restored peace and 
liberty to a great nation, he then began to 
lay plans for his own future welfare. For a 
year and more he was engaged in the bridge- 
building department of a railroad company 
in Indiana. In March, 1807, he came to 
Iowa, and stopped in Jasper County, near 
Newton. Here he engaged with the Rock 
Island Company in the same branch of work 
he had been following in Indiana. Tliis work 
took him along the main line, and all tlie 
branches of the great Hock Island Route, 
both in Iowa and Nebraska. He continued 
in this i:)Osition until May, 1870, when he 
was married to Miss Ada A. Potter, of 
Marengo, Iowa, a native of New York. In 
September, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. McCain 
removed to Audubon County, and bought 
hind as above noted, where they have not 
only built for themselves a good home, but 
have establislied a character in the com- 
munity which is beyond reproach. Having 
been among the first to locate in the north- 
ern part of the county, Mr. McCain has 
helped to foster the public schools and estab- 
lish the public roads, and advance the wel- 
fare of the county in many directions. Mr. 
and Mrs. McCain are the parents of five 



children — R. E., Mona E., Guy F., Mary A. 
and John Mayo. In politics Mr. McCain is 
a staunch Republican, and has been honored 
by various local offices; he has served as town- 
ship clerk for two terms, trustee one term, as- 
sessor three terms, and was elected supervisor 
soon after the establishment of the county 
seat at Audubon. Under President Hayes's 
administration he was appointed postmaster 
of Melville Center, holding this position 
from February 19, 1878, until February 19, 
1880. 






fILAS REASON, one of Melville Town- 
ship's prominent farmers and stock- 
raisers, was a native of the State of 
Ohio, having been born in Greene County, 
near Xenia, January 28, 1836. He was the 
son of John and Elizabeth Reason, tiie father 
being one of Greene County's most prosper- 
ous farmers, of English ancestry. The early 
boyhood of Silas Reason was passed on the 
farm near Xenia, Ohio, and his first lessons 
were learned in the district schools. AVhen 
a mere lad Mr. Reason moved with his 
parents to a farm near Atlanta, Logan County, 
Illinois, where he continued to assist on the 
farm until about nineteen years of age. He 
then attended Wesleyan University, at Dela- 
ware, Ohio, a few months, and returning to 
Illinois he began the study of law at Lincoln, 
Illinois, under Judge Lacy. In the mean- 
time Mr. Reason was married October 9, 
1856, to Miss Olive Ash, daughter of James 
and Ruth Ash, of Scotch ancestry. Mrs. 
Reason was born in Indiana, and vv.as brought 
with her parents to Illinois when a child. 
Mr. Reason moved to Lincoln, Logan County, 
Illinois, in 1800, and continueil the study of 
law under difficulties, lie was admitted to 
the bar at Springtiekl, Illinois, before the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCUBS. 



803 



Supreme Court of the State, in March, 1859. 
He was elected mayor of Lincoln, and served 
five consecutive terms; after an interval of 
two years he was again elected mayor, and 
served two terms. He was elected a member 
of the Legislature in 1868, serving one term, 
and taking part in the introduction and pass- 
age of several important bills. Having re- 
tired from his legislative honors, Mr. Heason 
resumed the M'ork of his profession, in which 
he had built up a lari;e and lucrative prac- 
tice. He held many offices but was not an 
office seeker, his disposition being retiring 
and modest. He took a lively interest in 
politics, affiliating with the Democratic party. 
He was a candidate for circuit judge in 1877 
on the Democratic ticket; the circuit was 
composed of eight counties, and notwithstand- 
ing it was strongly Republican he was 
defeated by a small majority. Mr. Beason 
was a member of the L O. O. F., and of the 
Knights of Honor, of Lincoln, Illinois. The 
pressure of business drew too heavily upon 
his physical strength and he was at last com- 
peHed to go in search of health. Having 
previously purchased many valuable acres of 
land in Audubon County, Iowa, in 1882 he 
retired from the practice of law, and removed 
with his family to the farm in Iowa, hoping 
to receive benefit in health by the change. 
He engaged in general farming and the 
breeding of tine live-stock, including short- 
horn cattle, horses, and hogs. Under his 
management these industries were a success, 
and his health was greatly improved. The 
farm is traversed by the east fork of tlie 
Nishnabotna Kiver, and the land is of supe- 
rior quality, well ada])ted to the growth of 
grain and the raising of live-stock. Mr. 
Beason planted many trees on his place, 
which serve as a protection from the heat and 
winds, and also add greatly to the beauty of 
the place. He displayed much judgment in 



the management of his farm, as well as great 
ability when acting as legal counsellor. He 
was cut off in the prime of life, in the midst 
of his daily pursuits, by accidentally falling 
from a loaded wagon which passed over his 
body and inflicted injuries from which he 
died in a few hours, November 9, 1884. He 
was a devoted husband, a kind father, always 
generous toward public enterprises, and his 
untimely death was deplored by all who knew 
him. He left a large estate to his wife and 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Beason are the 

parents of the following named children 

Omar, a graduate of Lincoln University, died 
December 12, 1881, much lamented, at the 
age of twenty-four years; Ida, a graduate of 
Monticello Seminary, is the wife of William 
S. Blair, of Aurora, Illinois; Ella, a graduate 
of Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Illinois, is 
at home; John, who accidentally shot him- 
self in crossing a barbed wire fence Septem- 
ber 26, 1886, was a promising youth of many 
excellent qualities of head and heart; Lewis 
assists his mother on the farm; Rose and 
Olive are at home. Mrs. Beason, with the 
assistance of her son, is managing the farm 
of 1,700 acres, which is well stocked. She 
has shown much ability and skill in the care 
of the farm, which is one of the best im- 
proved in Melville Township, being furnished 
with all the modern conveniences and havintr 

o 

most attractive surroundings. 

- "S ' ^ ' t ' ^ ' "" 



tSAVALD J. HOUSTON was born in 
Waynesboro, Wayne County, Tennessee, 
f& February 13, 1855. When he was 
three years old his parents removed to Iowa, 
settling at Hamlin's Grove, being among the 
earliest settlers in the county. He is the 
fourth of a family of ten children, ami is a 
son of A. I!, and Nancy (Bridges) Houston, 



804 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



botli natives of the State of Georgia, who 
now reside in Exira, Audubon County, Iowa. 
O. J. grew to manhood in Audubon County, 
and attended the scliools of Exira. He began 
liis mercantile career at the age of eighteen, 
entering a dry-goods store in Atlantic, Iowa, 
and remaining there nearly five years. Having 
returned to Exira, he purchased the drug 
stock of John Hunter, with a view of study- 
ing medicine; this plan was not carried out, 
but he took up the study of pharmacy, and 
continued the drug trade until 1880, when 
he sold the business and went to Fort Collins, 
intending to engage in business in that place. 
Not liking Colorado as well as Iowa, he re- 
turned to Audubon County, and formed a 
]>artnership with M. N. Graves, of Atlantic, 
Iowa. In 1881 the firm built a business 
house in Audubon, and put in a stock of 
drugs; this partnership continued until 1885, 
■when Mr. Houston boujiht the interest of his 
partner, and has since controlled the business 
alone. Mr. Houston was married May 24, 
1877, to Miss Mary Dissmore, of Oakfield; 
she is the second daughter of Richard and 
Elizabeth Dissmore. Mr. and Mrs. Houston 
have one daughter — Lulu May. Mr. Hous- 
ton is a member of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, 
at Exira, and of Amity Chapter, No. 93, and 
Godfrey Commander}', No. 44. In politics 
he is conservative. 



SKANIv P. BRADLEY, dealer in live- 
stock, Audubon, Iowa, was born in tlie 
State of Illinois, in Caldwell County, in 
the town of Oswego, October 3, 18G2. His 
father, E. D. Bradley, was a proniinent mer- 
chant and speculator, who was born in the 
State of New York; he was reared in his 
native State, and there married Miss Julia 
Hallock, who was born and brought up in 



the same State; soon after their marriage 
they removed to Caldwell County, Illinois. 
When Frank P. was seven years old his par- 
ents removed to Aurora, Illinois, where he 
was educated in the public schools; after 
leaving school he taught for one term. The 
tide of emigration being westward, young 
Bradley drifted in the same direction, and in 
1874 came to Audubon County, stopping at 
the county seat, which was then Exira. In 
18 — he was elected clerk of the court of 
Audubon County, being nominated on the 
Democratic ticket; he held this ofKce for 
three consecutive terms, six years. During 
his term of office the county seat was moved 
from Exira to Audubon; the details of this 
exciting contest will be found in the general 
history of Audubon County. When the 
court was moved Mr. Bradley moved also. 
On retiring from office he at once engaged 
in the live-stock and real-estate business. 
He purchased a large tract of land in Guthrie 
County, Iowa, where he has established a 
cattle ranch, associating himself with A. L. 
Campbell, the furmer clerk of the court, 
and cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Au- 
dubon. Mr. Bradley was one of the orig- 
inators and stockholders of this bank, but 
sold his interest in the business some time 
ago. He now devotes considerable time to 
buying stock which he sells to parties for 
feeding, both in this county and adjoining 
counties. Mr. Bradley was married in 1878 
to Miss Fannie Atkinson, of Exira, a daugh- 
ter of George Atkinson, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bradley are the parents of two children. 
Mr. Bradley began at the bottom of the lad- 
der, l)ut he has not remained there, having 
l)y hi.s own exertions acquired a large prop- 
erty. E. D. l^radlcy died in October, 1888; 
he opened the first store at (Oakfield, Audu- 
bon County, one of the old landmarks of the 
county; he had purchased land in the county 



niOOHAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



805 



as early as 1854. The motlier of our subject 
is still living, making her home with him. 
Isaac P. Hallock, Sr., the grandfather of 
Frank P. Bradley, was among the first set- 
tlers at Oakiield, and served many years as 
postmaster of the place. Mr. I. P. Ilallock's 
biogra])hy appears upon another page of this 
volume. 



fOSEPII M. EEYNOLDS is the senior 
member of the tirin of lleynolds & Ide, 
merchants at Brayton, Iowa. Messrs. 
Reynolds & Ide carry a general stock, and 
both being active business men they do a 
large and prosperous trade. lioth gentlemen 
are well and favorably known. Mr. lley- 
nolds was born in Orange County, New York, 
in the heart of the great cheese and butter 
region, January 4, 1852. He is the third 
of a family of six children of Patrick and 
Mary (Muden) Reynolds, who were born and 
reared in Ireland. The father was born in 
the county of Longford, and the mother in 
the county of Leitrem, near the Shannon 
River. In the fall of 1839 the parents emi- 
grated to America, landed in the city of New 
York, and at once proceeded to Orange 
County. Patrick Reynohls at once identi- 
iied himself with the old Whig party, and 
became a warm supporter of the same. On 
the organization of the Rejmblican party his 
sympathies were with it, and he fought in the 
war of the Rebellion. From Orange County 
the family removed to Muscatine County, 
Iowa, in January, 1854. For many years 
the father was employed by the C, R. I. & 
P. Railroad, and was a valued and trusty 
man. He died at West Liberty, Iowa, hon- 
ored by all who knew him. His wife is still 
livinir, and is now a resident of Des Moines. 
The boyhood days of Joseph M. ReynoMs 



were passed in West Liberty, where he re- 
ceived his education. On leaving school he 
accepted a clerkship for a short time; he 
then entered the employ of the railroad com- 
pany, beginning at the bottom round of the 
ladder. He rose to the position of passenger 
conductor, when he met with an accident that 
caused the loss of two fingers of his left hand. 
He then took up the study of telegraphy, and 
became an operator and station agent in the 
employ of the C, R. I. & P. R. R. Co., for a 
period of ten years. In 1870 he came to 
Brayton and opened the station, and contin- 
ued there until 1886. In 1887 he embarked 
in the mercantile trade, purchasing the stock 
of W. Bartlett & Son, and associating him- 
self with O. F. Ide, Esq. Mr. Reynolds is a 
thorough business man, and in connection 
with his mercantile interests he carries on 
farming and stock-raising to a considerable 
extent. Mr. Reynolds was united in mar- 
riage in 1881 to Miss Lillie Bartlett, the 
only daughter of Washington Bartlett, Esq., 
whose biography appears on another page of 
this volume. This union has been blessed 
with one child — Beatrice. Although young 
she is quite accomplished in music. Owing 
to failing health Mr. Reynolds has traveled 
considerably during the past two years. He 
is one of the active members of Audubon 
Lodge, No. 217, I. O. O. F. 



; A 8 H I N G T O N BARTLETT, a 

pi'ominent citizen of the south part 
l^'^iJS^ of Audubon County, died at 4 a. m., 
May 21, 18 — , at his homestead, near Bray- 
ton, Iowa. His death occurred after a brief 
illness of only four days, in the beautiful 
home which his own hands had reared, at- 
tended b}'- his failliful wife, and surrounded 
by his children and grandchildren, a fitting 



806 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



end for a useful and lionorable citizen and 
man. The funeral services were held at the 
residence on the 22d and were of a most 
solemn and impressive nature. Seats had 
been provided on the beautiful lawn ad- 
joining the parlor where the dead pioneer 
lay encased in a rich casket, surrounded by a 
bank of fragrant flowers, the tribute of 
friends from far and near. Wreaths, crosses, 
and anchors, emblems of immortality, faith 
and hope, spoke the thoughts of tender 
hearts and loving friends of the deceased. A 
large number of leading fanailies of this val- 
ley were pi-esent. There were few dry eyes 
among them when, after the Rev. E. S. Hill 
had spoken feelingly of his acquaintance of 
twenty odd years with the deceased, he asked 
the choir to sing that dear old hymn, " Nearer, 
My God to Thee," and explained tiiat grandpa 
had often asked his little five-year old grand- 
child, Beatrice Reynolds, to sing it for him 
when weary with toil or care. After the 
sermon tiie people took a last look at their 
dead friend, and six prominent citizens and 
pioneers, Oliver Smith, Mark Heath, Edson 
Herrick, Christopher Smith, J. C. Cannon, 
Sr., and C. H. Vail bore the deceased to the 
funeral cortege, and thence, followed by a 
long line of carriages, to the Oaklield Ceme- 
tery, where they laid him to rest with tender 
and reverent hands. 

Green be the turf above thee, friend of our better 

days, 
None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but 

to praise. 

Washington Bartlett came of illustrious 
blood. Tiie Bartletts trace their lineage back 
to Thomas Bartlett, of Mayflower fame, and 
his own mother, Sabrina (Hill) Bartlett, was 
a niece of Thomas JeflTerson, the celebrated 
statesman, of Virginia, in which State the 
subject of this sketch was born September 
19, 1820. At tiie early age of eleven years 



Thomas Bartlett emigrated to Warren County, 
Indiana; there the boy grew to manhood 
through all the privations and hardships of 
pioneer days. There, too, he married Miss 
Margaret Brier. One child, David Milton 
Bartlett, a well-to-do citizen of that county 
and State, is still living. About the year 
1852 Wash, as he was familiarly called, went 
to the gold flelds of California, via New Or- 
leans and the Isthmus, returning eiffhteen 
months later. He came to the then new State 
of Iowa in 1855, and in 1856 located on the 
estate where he lived so many years, respected 
and liked by those who knew him best. Here 
he married Martha E. Cuppy. Three chil- 
dren are tiie fruit of this union — E. G. Bart- 
lett, Esq., Lillie Bartlett-Reynolds, wife of 
J. M. Reynolds, the Brayton merchant, and 
H. M. Bartlett, agent of the C, R. I. & P. R. 
R., at Brayton. All are married, and living 
near the old home. Of the character of tlie 
dead it need only be said that he held offices 
of trust and honor among his fellow-men all 
his life. As justice of the peace, secretary 
of the school board, and as a member of the 
board of supervisors, he discharged his duty 
faithfully and well. With malice toward 
none and charity for all he lived a useful and 
honorable life. The world will be poorer for 
his going, yet richer in memories of kindly 
deeds and honest worth. The elements were 
so mixed in him that nature might stand up 
and say — this is a man. 

■■■ ■^ ■ l .. t . ^ 



iOBERT C. CARPENTER is a native 
of the State of Kentucky, born in Bath 
County, near Owensville, June 12, 1824. 
Levi Carpenter, his father, was a native of 
the same State, atid a son of Michael Car- 
penter, of German ancestry, who was among 
the early settlers of Kentucky. Susan (Moore) 



BWaiiAPHWAL SKBTCIIES. 



807 



Carpenter, mother of Robert C, was born 
in Kentucky, and is a dangliter of Robert 
Moore, also a native of Kentucky. J^evi 
Carpenter was for many years a resident of 
Kentucky, but removed from Bath County to 
Morgan County, Indiana, and resided tliere 
until he went to Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
where he died in 1870. Ills wife survived 
him until 1882. Slie was the mother of 
eight children, four of whom are living. 
Robert C. Carpenter passed the greater part 
of his youth in Morgan County, Indiana. 
He received such advantages as were afforded 
by the common schools of tliat day. lie re- 
mained with his parents until his twenty-first 
year, when he l>egan farming in Morgan 
County on his own account. In 1851 he 
bade farewell to tlie Iloosier State and emi- 
grated to Poweshiek County, Iowa, which 
was at that time considered the frontier. 
There he studied law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1868. Since that time he has 
been engaged in the law and general farm- 
ing, which he pursued until 1878, when he 
removed to Audubon County. lie first set- 
tled in Viola Township, two miles west of 
the farm whicli he now owns, lie remained 
there two years, and at the end of that time 
he moved to his present farm on section 15. 
lie has eighty acres of as choice bind as Au- 
dubon County affords. The place is well im- 
proved and is one of the neatest little farms 
in that part of the county. In 1846 Mr. 
Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss 
Mahala Thurman, a second cousin to Allen 
Thurman, of Ohio. Mrs. Carpenter was born 
in Highland County, Ohio, December 22, 
1822, and removed with her parents to Mor- 
gan County, Indiana, when a young girl. 
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have had born to 
them nine children — Frank M., John C, 
Levi T., Mary, wife of Ilarlin Griffen; Rob- 
ert M., Malissa Ann, Sarah C, Anderson C. 



and Dora. Mr. Carpenter has served as jus- 
tice of the peace over thirty years, and has 
held many other township offices, always ac- 
quitting himself honorably and with much 
credit. He has also served as county super- 
visor for four years. Politically he gives his 
undivided support to the issues of the Demo- 
cratic party. He is a member of La Fayette 
Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M. He is also 
notary public. 



,«'t^4„J^V... 



fOIIN C. PON WELL, retired farmer of 
Viola Township, now a resident of Au- 
dubon, Iowa, was born in Highland 
County, Ohio, near Hillsborough, November 
16, 1842. He is a son of Nathaniel and 
Charity (Lowman) Bonwell. The father was 
boi-n in Westmoreland County, Viro-inia, in 
1792, but passed most of his youth in Ken- 
tucky, whither his parents removed when he 
was a child. He removed to Ohio and was 
there married, and settled in Iligldand 
County. There he carried on farming until 
his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife 
was a native of Pennsylvania. Late in life 
siie came to Audubon County, where her 
death occurred in 1881. She was in her 
seventy-second year. Arthur Conweli, grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of Scot- 
land. He emigrated to America and took 
part in the war of 1812. He removed from 
Virginia to Kentucky in 1797, and at one 
time owned a number of slaves, whom he 
afterward set free. John C. Ron well was 
reared in his native county, receiving a 
common-school education and acquiring a 
knowledge of all the details of practical 
farming. At tiie age of nineteen years he 
left the plow and volunteered in the defense 
of his country. He enlisted in the Si.xtieth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and 



808 



UISTORT OF AUDUBON COtTNTT. 



was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. 
He participated in several battles and skir- 
mishes, the most noted being the second bat- 
tle of Bull Run. After this battle he was 
taken prisoner and held for three days, when 
he way paroled, sent to Annapolis, thence to 
Baltimore, and thence to Chicago, where he 
was discharged in December, 1863. In Au- 
gust, 1864, Mr. Bonwell re-enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio, and 
was sent to Camp Deiiison, near Cincinnati. 
He remained there two months, and from 
that time until June, 1865, he was guarding 
bridges and railroads in Tennessee and Ken- 
tucky. He was honorably discharged in 
June, 1865, and tlien returned to Highland 
County, Ohio. lie then started a store in 
Lebanon, Ohio, which he managed three 
years. During this time he was married to 
Miss Mary E. Miller, the oldest daughter of 
Jacob and Eliza Miller. In the fall of 1869 
Mr. Bonwell removed with his family to 
Marion County, Iowa, and during the first 
winter taugiit school at Wheeling. The fol- 
lowing summer he removed to the town of 
Monroe, and there he dealt fb real estate and 
taught school. In 1874 he purchased an in- 
terest in the First National Bank of Monroe, 
and was book-keeper for that institution for 
some time. Disposing of his interest in the 
bank, ho went to Exira, Audubon County, 
Iowa, in 1875, when he engaged in the drug 
trade. Selling out this business, he bought 
400 acres of land in Viola Township, which 
he has improved by erecting a substantial 
residence and good buildings for stock and 
grain. Mr. Bonwell devotes his time to 
feeding and raising hogs and cattle, in which 
he has been very successful. He has added 
to his farm until it now contains 720 acres, 
in a high state of cultivation. In the spring 
of 1880 he removed his family to the town 
of Audubon, in order to give his children 



better educational advantages. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bonwell have three daughters — Pauline V., 
Gertrude C. and Leora May. Mr. Bonwell 
has served several terms as justice of the 
peace in Viola Township. In politics he is 
a staunch Republican, taking an active in- 
terest in the party, often serving as a dele- 
gate to county, judicial, congressional and 
State conventions. Mr. Bonwell is a mem- 
ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. 
M., and of Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M. 
He is a member of Allison Post, G. A. R., 
and of the Red Men. He commenced life on 
a small capital, but by industry, good judg- 
ment and careful investments he has accumu- 
lated a large estate. 

1=1 »i x « 3 t ' S * 2 '" ' " 



fOIIN J. HUTCHINSON, a farmer and 
stock-raiser of Douglas Township, was 
born in Clinton County, Ohio, near the 
town of Harveysburg, October 3, 1836. He 
is a son of Benjamin and Frances (Rankin) 
Hutchinson, the father being a native of 
Ireland, and the motlier of Virginia. Ben- 
jamin Hutchinson emigrated from the 
Emerald Isle at the early age of sixteen 
years, his father being a s?ilor. He married 
and settled in Clinton Conntj', Ohio, where 
he died in 1862. His wife died in 1877; she 
was the mother of si.\ children, of whom 
Joiin J. was the fourth. He was reared to 
farm life in his native county, receiving the 
advantage of a common-school education. 
He was married to Eliza A. Mendenhall, the 
fourth child of Nathan and Mary (Beech) 
Mendenhall. Mrs. Hutchinson's grandfather 
was also a Nathan Mendenhall, who was a 
native of North Carolina. Her grandfather 
on her mother's side was Benjamin Beech, a 
native of Connecticut; the Beeches were of 
Scotch ancestry, and early settlers of Con- 



BIOGRAPUIGAL SKUTCnES. 



809 



iiecticiit. After his marriage, John J. 
Iluteliiusoii settled on a farm in Clinton 
Connty, Ohio, and resided there until his 
removal to Randolph County, Indiana; there 
he spent three years, and then emigrated to 
Guthrie Connty, Iowa. He afterward re- 
moved to Dallas County, Iowa, and remained 
there eight years. At the expiration of that 
time, in 1877, he came to Audubon County, 
and settled on his present farm. He has 120 
acres of choice land, which he has brought 
to a high state of cultivation; lie has a good 
residence, attractively situated upon an ele- 
vated plain, affording a fine view of the sur- 
rounding country. Mr. Hutchinson has 
carried on general fanning, his live-stock 
being of especially good grades. He and his 
wife have no children. Politically he is an 
ardent Republican, often acting as a delegate 
to the county conventions. He took a part 
in the famous Morgan's raid in Ohio. He 
began life without means, but by industry 
and wise management he has accumulated a 
considerable property. Mr. Hutchinson en- 
joys the esteem of his neighbors, and is 
counted one of the reliable citizens of Dong- 
las Township. 



jNTHONY N. DETWILEIl, of Lincoln 
Township, is assured of his success in 
life in being a descendant of German 
ancestors, on both his father's and mother's 
side. He was born in Mifflin County, Penn- 
sylvania, near the village of Allensville, Janu- 
ary 26, 1840. He is the second son of 
Christian and Caroline (Ham) Detwiler, 
natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a 
gunsmith by trade, which he followed for 
many years. In 1854 he removed his family 
to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled on a farm 
near Iowa City, where he lived the remainder 



of his days. He died in his sixty -eighth year, 
and his wife is still livintr, making her 
home with her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Gibson, 
of Lincoln Township, Audubon County. An- 
thony N. Detwiler passed his youth in John- 
son County, Iowa, receiving his education in 
the common schools. He taught one term, 
and in August, 1861, he entered the army 
for the defense of his nation's flao-, enlist- 
ing in Company II, Second Iowa Volunteer 
Cavalry. He was sent to Davenport, Iowa, 
thence to St. Louis, thence to Bird's Point, 
opposite Cairo, Illinois, and thence south to 
Island No. 10. Afterward he went to New 
Madrid, and thence across the country into 
Tennessee, where he joined the forces return- 
ing from Columbus. He was wounded in a 
battle M'ith buckshot, and was disabled for 
a few days. He also took part in the battle 
of luka, and was taken prisoner in the battle 
of Nashville, Tennessee, and was held for 
three months at Jackson, ]\Iississippi, where 
he was handled pretty roughly by his captors. 
After his release he returned to his regiment, 
and soon after the news of General Lee's 
surrender he was ordered to Selma, Alabama, 
where he was mustered out and sent to 
Davenport, Iowa; there he received his final 
discharge and pay, having served his country 
faithfully for four years and two months. 
At the time of his discharge he ranked as 
Quartermaster-Sergeant. Returning to John- 
son County, Iowa, he became an honest tiller 
of the soil, renting lands until he was able 
to buy a farm of his own. As a farmer he 
was quite successful, and carried on the busi- 
ness extensively until 1886, when he sold his 
farm in Johnson County, and removed to 
Audubon Connty. After looking over tho 
connty he bought 160 acres on section 35, 
which is beautifully situated and of a very 
superior soil. It is drained by the Nishna^ 
botna River, is well fenced and most of the 



810 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON €OUNTT. 



land is seeded down to grass. In 1886 Mr. 
Detwiler built a substantial residence, which 
is surrounded by a fiue grove and very at- 
tractive in appearance. In 1870 be was 
married to Miss Nancy J. Shaffer, daughter 
of David and Agnes (Miller) Shaffer. She 
was born and reared in Indiana, and was 
living with her sister in Johnson County at 
the time of her marriage. The result of this 
union lias been six children — Adda, Edna, 
Carrie, Dora, Mollie and Christian A. Mr. 
Detwiler is one of the active members of 
Allison Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a 
staunch Republican, taking an active interest 
in the party and its successes. He is a man 
of genial disposition, of public spirit, and 
has the confidence and respect of all who 
know him. 






[AMUEL M. GARDNER, was burn in 
Hancock County, Maine, June 8, 1861, 
and is the son of J. S. and Lydia F. 
(Appleton) Gardner, also natives of the State 
of Maine. He is the eleventh child of a 
family of sixteen, and remained in his native 
place until his nineteenth year. He attended 
the public schools and was graduated from 
the Higli Scliool. On first coming to Iowa 
he located at Cedar Riipids, and engaged in 
the carpenter's trade, which he had learned 
from his father while he was yet at home. 
He remained in Cedar Rapids three years, 
and then engaged witli Fairbanks, Moss & 
Company, in the construction of windmills 
and tanks. He remained with this firm, at 
work on the Chicago, Milwaukee ct St. Paul 
Railroad, for two years. In 1881, December 
6, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Pina L. 
Patterson, daughter of Robert II. and Laura 
L. (Nye) Patterson. Mrs. Gardner was born 
at Pine Mills, Muscatine County, Iowa, Jan- 



uary 10, 1859. Three children have been 
born of this marriage — Olive Elizabeth, Willis 
Miles and Alice Appleton. Immediately 
after their wedding Mr. and Mrs. Gardner 
came to Audubon County, and settled on a 
farm of 160 acres of partially improved land, 
which they made their home for two years. 
At the expiration of that time they returned 
to Muscatine County, and spent the summer 
there; then they came back to Audubon 
County, where they have since made their 
home. Mr. Gardner has added to his first 
purchase of land 240 acres, making 400 
acres in all, lying in sections 1, 2 and 3, 
Greeley Township. He has made many 
valuable improvements, and has made a 
decided success in the business, although he 
knew nothino: about it when he settled on the 
farm. Politically he is a staunch Republi- 
can, taking an active interest in the welfare 
of the party. He has been twice elected del- 
egate to the State convention, and has acted 
as chairman of the Republican Township 
committee. Mr. Gardner and family are 
worthy people, and enjoy the respect of the 
citizens of the community in which tliey 
live. 

g - l i' t - S-- 



fRANK P. HUFFMAN has been identi- 
fied with the history of Audulwn County 
since 1880. He was born in Clinton 
County, Ohio, near Wilmington, July 12, 
1853, and is the youngest of eight children, 
four boys and four girls, all of whom are 
living. His father, William Ilufi'man, was 
born in the State of Virginia, and is a son 
of Caleb Huffman. The mother of Frank 
P. was Elizabetii (Lucas) ilufi'man, a native 
of Ohio. Her parents were Caleb and Mary 
E. (Price) Lucas, who removed from Virginia 
to Ohio at an early day. William Huffman 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKBTCUEH. 



811 



was a blacksmith by trade, and in later years 
turned his attention to agriculture. lie re- 
moved from liis native State to Clinton 
County, Oliio, where he married and settled 
permanently; his death took place in April, 
1862. His wife also died on the old home- 
stead in August, 1875. Frank P. Huffman 
passed his youth and school-days in his na- 
tive , county. When he became of age he 
was married, in 1874, to Ella B. Lemar, a 
daughter of Charles and Adaliue (Lemar) 
Lemar, of Clinton County, Ohio, and settled 
on the old homestead, which he farmed until 
1880. He then removed his family to Au- 
dubon County, Iowa, locating; upon his 
present farm; it consists of eighty acres, 
wliicli was wild prairie land, and unimproved. 
Mr. Ilutfman has spent much time and labor 
in developing this place, and has been well 
rewarded, as everything is in good shape. 
Four children have been born to Mr. Huff- 
man and wife — Minnie, Joseph M., Zelta 
V. and James Garfield. The mother passed 
from this life to her eternal rest in October, 
1884. Mr. Huffman has represented his 
township as trustee, and is the present in- 
cumbent of the office. He takes an active 
interest in the welfare of the Democratic 
party, and often acts as delegate to judicial 
and county conventions. 







fsf ILLIAM JOHNSTON, a successful 
I farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln 
l*"^)^ Township, was born in Morrow 
County, near Mount Gilead, Ohio, August 
13, 1848. He is the third son of John and 
Mary Louisa (Loy) Johnston, also natives of 
Ohio. The father was descended from an 
Irish family, and the mother from a (Torman 
family. In 1861 John Johnston removed 
with his family to Louisa Cpunty, and settled 

61 



on a farm; he had formerly been a carpenter, 
but from the time he came to Iowa until his 
death, which occurred in 1874, he followed 
farming. Ilis wife died the previous year, 
1873, in her fifty-eighth year. William 
Johnston passed his youth in Louisa County, 
Iowa, attending the common schools; later 
he pursued his studies at Knox College, 
Galesburg, Illinois. After leaving school he 
entered the employ of Cole Brothers, of 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and engaged in selling 
pumps for si.x years; on account of failing 
health he was compelled to retire from the 
business. In the spring of 1876 he came to 
Audubon County, Iowa, and located on a 
farm in section 20, Lincoln Township, the 
first place opened up on the west side of the 
township. The land was wild, and there 
were only thirteen voters in the township; in 
1888 248 votes were cast in Lincoln Town- 
ship. Mr. Johnston broke out eighty acres 
of land, and erected a house for a dwelliiH'; 
it was a truly pioneer life, which is rapidly 
becoming a circumstance impossible, as there 
will soon be no new land to settle. Mr. 
Johnston has added from time to time until 
his farm now contains 240 acres, most of 
which he lias brought to a high state of cul- 
tivation. At the time of his coming to the 
county there was no church building in Lin- 
coln Townshij), and no organized religious 
societies; at the present time there are five 
organizations, and two church buildings. Of 
the thirteen voters before mentioned, six 
were Democrats and seven liepublicans. 
Mr. Johnston has been very successful in 
raising hogs; he feeds about 100 head armu- 
ally, principally of the Poland-China breed. 
In 1868 he was married to Miss Emma 
Ilardesty, a daughter of Meredith llardesty; 
she was born in Ohio, but removed to Iowa 
with her parents when she was a child. Nine 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 



813 



niSTOUY OF AUDUBON COUIHI'T. 




Johnston^ — Blanche, James Owen, Maud L., 
Frank, Bnrt, Mamie, Arthur, Fred, and Ray, 
wlio died in infancy. Mr. Johnston has been 
the choice of tlie people for almost every 
office in the township, and is the present as- 
sessor. He is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and of the T. O. E. M. Folitically 
he is a staunch Democrat. lie has done 
much toward the development of tlie county, 
from every point of view. At the time he 
came to the county there was not a grove in 
Lincoln Township; one of the first things he 
did was to plant a grove, which has grown to 
tlie proportions adequate for holding Fourth 
of July picnics and othtr out-door festivities. 



[ILLIAM J. NEWELL, an active and 
1- w \i' successful farmer of Lincoln Town- 
"Sy^ ship, was born in Canada, near the 
city of Uamilton, May 13, 1863. He is the 
oldest son of si.x children of William P. and 
Sophia (Davidson) Newell. The father was 
born in Ireland in 1881, and the mother is a 
native of Canada, in which country she lived 
at the time of her marriage. They con- 
tinued to reside in that country, William P. 
carrying on the shoemaker's trade for many 
years; he afterward engaged in farming, and 
iu 1881 the family removed to the United 
States, and settled in Audubon County, Iowa, 
on a farm of 120 acres. William P. Newell 
was an enterprising and prosperous farmer 
up to the time of his death, which occurred 
February 12, 1889. His wife died April 23, 
1889. They were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, six of whom are living — Louisa J., 
wife of John Shinners; Carrie A., wife of L. 
M. Estes; William J., Edward S., Alice M. 
and Charles 11. George, May, and one child 
unnamed died in infancy. William J. New- 
ell, the subject of this notice, passed his 



youth in the country of his birth, where he 
received his education in the common schools. 
He removed with his parents to Iowa, and 
remained under the parental roof until he 
was twenty-two years old, when he began 
farming and stock-raising on his own account. 
He was married in 1885 to Miss Jessie E. 
Somers, the third daughter of William L. 
and Isabelle Somers, of Yermont. One (jhild, 
a son, has been born of this marriage; his 
name is George. Mr. Newell moved to his 
present farm in 1885; it contains eighty 
acres of good land, which has been placed 
under cultivation and improved -y Mr. New- 
ell. He has been very successful in raising 
and feeding stock, for the past three years 
shipping one car-load of cattle annually be- 
sides raising a large number oi hogs. In 
politics he affiliates with the Republican party. 

•" "| ' S"? ' ^ »— 



^ANS PETER HANSEN, a prosperous 
and intelligent Dane, residing in Gray, 
Iowa, was born in the city of Copen- 
hagen, Denmaik, November 25, 1857. He 
is the oldest of four children, two sons and 
two daughters, his parents being Christieu 
and Anna C. (Anderson) Hansen, who are 
still living in Copenhagen, the father being a 
mechanic by trade. Hans Peter Hansen re- 
ceived a "rood common-school education in 
his native country, and then went to learn 
the trade of an engineer, serving two years. 
Desirous of seeing the new world he set sail 
in 1881, and after a voyage of thirty- two days 
he landed in the city of New York. He 
continued his journey to Minnesota, stopping 
at Albert Lea five months. On coming to 
Gray he entered the employ of Mr. George 
Gray as engineer in his elevator, a position 
he still holds. In February, 1888, Mr. Han- 
sen made a visit to his native land, remain- 



BWORAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



813 



ins amons the scenes of bis childliood four 
inontlis. Returning to Gray he resumed his 
position as stationary engineer. In June, 
1889, lie was married to Miss Martha Jacobs, 
a native of Denmark, wlio came to America 
in 1888. He is now living in Gray in a 
comfortable home, which he owns. He also 
owns other property in tlie village, which he 
rents. Mr. Hansen is an industrious citizen, 
and by perseverance and economy he has ac- 
cumulated some property. He began with- 
out capital, except his pluck and energy and 
determination to succeed, and we anticipate 
for him a prosperous future. 

lEORGE J. McLACHLTN has been a 
resident of Audubon County, Iowa, 
since 1887. He was born in Caledonia 
County, Vermont, May 7, 1848, and is a son 
of James and Alinira (Varnum) McLaehlin. 
The father, a son of John McLaehlin, was 
born in Vermont in 1818; he is a farmer by 
occupation, and still lives in Vermont. His 
father was born in Scotland. The mother of 
George J. was born in Vermont; she is living, 
and also her four children, named as follows 
— "William V., George J., Charles F. and 
Merritt H. George J. was reared to the 
life of a farmer. He received his early edu- 
cation in the common school, and later he 
entered the Caledonia Academy, pursuing his 
studies there for three years. He remained 
with his parents nntil iiis twenty-first year, 
when, like so many other young men, he 
was caught in the tide of emigration, and 
drifted westward. In the spring of 1887 he 
removed to Audubon County, and spent the 
hrst summer working for Mr. (icorge Gray 
on his farm. He then rented a farm of W. 
G. Cameron for one year, and in the mean- 
time he bought eighty acres of wild land in 



Lincoln Township, which he broke ont and 
began to improve. Four years later he sold 
this farm, and removed to a farm of 160 acres 
which he had purchased in partnership with 
his brother. They still own the place, which 
they have placed under good cultivation, and 
to which they have added many improve- 
ments. The residence, which is a neat two- 
story frame building, was erected in 1880, 
and is pleasantly situated on a high and 
sightly spot. Mr. McLaehlin was married 
in 1871 to Miss Jane L. Dewey, of Caledonia 
County, Vermont. She is the oldest daugh- 
ter of Bela S. and Lavinia (Carter) Dewe}', 
natives of the State of New Hampshire, now 
residing in Caledonia County, Vermont. Of 
their two children Mrs. McLaehlin is the 
only one surviving. Mr. and Mrs. McLaeh- 
lin are the parents of three children — Glenn 
D., Harvey C. and Elsie J. Mr. McLaehlin 
has been engaged in stock-feeding and rais- 
ing, shipping from three to five car loads 
annually. He is enterprising, industrious, 
and honorable in all his dealings, and has the 
respect and confidence of all who know him. 

•^■S- I >T. ? ...~ 



|»1|ILT0N D. TAYLOR, breeder of 
■' /,)/i1t Norman horses. Mr. Taylor's farm 
"^^^ is located one and one-half miles west 
of the town of Gray, in Lincoln Township. 
He was reared upon a farm, and Iiis long ex- 
perience in handling live-stock lias well fitted 
him for his present occui>ation. His parents 
were caught in an early tide of emigration, 
and did not settle until they reached Otto 
County, Nebraska, where Milton D. was born 
in October, 1859. The country was new, and 
the privations endured so great tiiat they 
packed their effects and went back to Wash- 
ington Connty, Iowa. They are both natives 
of Venango County, I'ennsylvania, and on 



814 



IIISTOUY OF AUDUBON COUNT }'. 



their way west spent one year in Eock Island 
County, Illinois, resuming the journey to 
Kebraslia the following spring. On their re- 
turn to Washington County, Iowa, Milton D. 
was a mere lad. The father occupied himself 
with farming and stock-raising, and is still 
engaged in this business. There our subject 
grew to manhood, and received- his education 
in the common schools; he had nnnsnal 
opportunities of perfecting himself in his 
chosen calling, being under the tuition of his 
father. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Taylor came 
Audubon County, and bought eighty acres to 
of land in section 11, which he broke out and 
placed under cultivation. The following fall 
he added forty acres to the farm. He re- 
mained upon his farm for two years, and then 
returned to AVashington County. In the fall 
of 1887 he came on his present farm, and be- 
gan placing upon it permanent improvements. 
In February, 1888, he brought to this coun- 
try the celebrated Norman horse, Splendid, 
imported directly from France. In the 
French record botik this horse is numbered 
18,285, and in the American book it is num- 
bered 9,829, VoK V. Splendid is a beauti- 
ful steel gray, four years old. Mr. Taylor is 
deserving of much credit for the introduction 
of pure blooded horses into Audubon County. 
Enterprise of this kind advances the whole 
interests of the county, and is one of the 
strong factors of progress. 



IP^ENJAMIN C. BROOKFIELD, a prom- 
inent farmer and dealer in real estate, 
of Lincoln Township, is a native of the 
State of Michigan, born in Berrien County, 
near Niles, July 19, 1842. He is the youngest 
of five children of Noali and Mary (Collins) 
Erookfield, natives of Canada. The father 
died when Benjamin C. was seven years old. 



At the early age of fifteen years the tide of 
emigration carried him to Iowa. He settled 
in Jackson County and remained there until 
he enlisted in 1861 in the Second Iowa Vol- 
unteer Infantry, Company L, giving his aid 
to perpetuate this nation. He was sent to 
St. Paul, Minnesota, and was mustered out 
of the service in 1862. Returning from the 
army, he engaged in the milling business in 
Jackson County, but as this proved unprofit- 
al>le he abandoned it and entered the employ 
of Henry & Company as a collector. After 
two YP'irs of service to this firm he secured 
a position on the Burlington & Missouri Rail- 
road, grading and preparing road bed through 
Iowa and other States, his services being re- 
tained by the company for a period of nearly 
twenty years. Alter leaving the railroad 
company he came to Iowa, and soon after 
rented a farm in Audubon County which be- 
longed to George Gray. In later years he 
bouglit this land, and from time to time he 
has added to it, and now owns a fine tract of 
280 acres, which he has improved and brought 
to a high state of cultivation. He has erected 
a good, comfortable residence, barns and cribs 
for stock and grain, and many other con- 
veniences. The farm is well stocked witii 
hofs and cattle, both of which he handles in 
considerable numbers. In connection with 
his farm and live-stock interests he buys and 
sells real estate for eastern parties, and loans 
money in different parts of the State. In 
1870 Mr. Brookfield was married to Miss 
Rose Lowry,of Dowagiac, Michigan, in which 
State she was born and reared to womanhood. 
Her father, Thomas Lowry, was an old resi- 
dent of Michigan, and a citizen held in high 
esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Brookfield are the 
parents of four children — Maud, Flora, Ben- 
jamin M. and Lois. Mr. Brookfield lias 
served his township as trustee with credit to 
himself and the satisfaction of his party. 



BIOOBAPUICAL SKETCHES. 



815 



Politically lie affiliates with the Republican 
party. He is an active member of the Knights 
of Pythias, No. 166. 






fRANK R. McLaughlin, of Lincoln 
Township, is one of the successful farm- 
ers I if Audubon County. He was born 
in Lickint; County, Ohio, August 27, 1853. 
His father, Charles McLaughlin, a descend- 
ant of a Scotch family, was born and reared 
in the State of Ohio, and followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer the greater part of his life. 
Rachel A. (Covil) McLaughlin, the mother 
of Frank li., was a daughter of Joseph Covil, 
Esq. Charles McLaughlin and wife had born 
to them eight children, five of whom are 
living. The mother is deceased, but the father 
still survives. When Frank R. was about eight 
years of age his parents removed to Marshall 
County, Illinois. There he grew to manhood, 
receiving the advantages of a common-school 
education and a good training; in asfricnltural 
pursuits. At the age of twenty years he be- 
gan working on a farm by the month, follow- 
ing this for three years. Being convinced 
that he could make money more rapidly by 
farming on his own account, he rented land 
in Livingston County, Illinois, and the first 
year suft'ered the disaster of being drowned 
out. He then returned to Marshall County, 
and worked on a farm (tne year. He then 
bought land in Marshall County, which ho 
cultivated five years. At the end of this time 
he sold out and entered a farmiiig-impleinent 
store, where he clerked until 1885. Collect- 
ing his effects, he removed to Audubon 
County, Iowa, and located on his present 
farm, which he bought after renting it for 
four years. The place was then known as 
the Whipple farm. It contains 240 acres, 
and is well stockeil and well improved. Mr. 



McLaughlin was married in 1885 to Miss 
Cora Evans, of Kno.\ County, Illinois, a 
daughter of Oliver Evans, who died when she 
was si.\ years of age, near Oskaloosa, Ma- 
liaska County, Iowa, in 1868. They are the 
parentsof two children — Charles E. and Frank 
Ray. Mr. McLaughlin is a member of Utopia 
Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O F., at Gray. 






fRANK P. WISEMAN, one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln Township, was born 
^ in Stark County, Ohio, July 22, 1853. 
He is a son of William and Mary (Shilling) 
Wiseman, natives of the State of Ohio. The 
father followed the trade of a blacksmith for 
twenty-five years, and died in his native 
State. The mother removed to Iowa and 
died in Crawford County. She was the daugh- 
ter of James Shilling, and tne mother of nine 
children, three sons and six daughters. The 
grandfather of Frank P. was George Wise- 
man, of German descent, a native of Mary- 
land, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Frank 
P. Wiseman resided in his native county 
until his twenty-third year, when he left the 
farm which had been a home to him in his 
childhood and early manhood. He first worked 
at the carpenter's trade, and afterward learned 
tlie milling business. In January, 1876, caught 
in the tide of western emigration, he came to 
Iowa and stopped in Crawford County. He 
remained there four years, and at the end of 
that time he removed to Audubon County 
and settled on his present farm. The place 
contains 120 acres, which is well improved, 
with good buildings, and in a high state of 
cultivation. In 1878 Mr. Wiseman was mar- 
ried to Susie Halford, of Crawford County, a 
daughter of James and Mary C. Halford. 
One son has been born of this marriaire — • 
Frederick P. Mr. AViseman is a member of 



816 



BISTORT OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



the lodge, No. 450, A. F. & A. M., at Man- 
ning, Iowa. He is also a memher of the A. 
O. U. AV. In politics he gives his undivided 
and hearty support to the Kepublican party. 
He and his wife are devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Wiseman's 
father served as a soldier in the late war, and 
one of her brothers was a member of the One 
Hundred and Seventh Ohio regiment. 



~> "i^ - 5 '« S ' j) ' " " 

PSIRAM Z. WEBSTER, an earlj settler 
and most worthy resident of Douglas 
Township, was born in Madison County, 
Illinois, near Alton, March 1, 1828. Zenas 
W^ebster, his father, was a well-to-do farmer; 
and a native of Woodstock County, Vermont. 
He married Tarnel Palmer, a native of Ver- 
mont, and at an early day removed to Illinois, 
settling in Madison County, where he opened 
and improved a farm. He died about the 
year 1840, wiien Hiram was a lad of twelve 
years. After the death of his father our sub- 
ject remained with his mother until he was 
twenty-three years of age. He was then 
married to Mary A. McGuire, of Warren 
County, Illinois. Soon after his marriage 
Mr. Webster removed to Ogle County, Illi- 
nois, and there resided eight years, following 
the occupation of a farmer. From Ogle 
County he went to Wood County, Illinois, 
and there made his home for several years. 
He tlien removed with his family to Marion 
County, and bought a farm seven miles north 
of Fella; there he carried on farming and 
stock-raising on a large scale, residing there 
twenty years. Disposing of his farm in 1870, 
he came to Audubon County, purchasing a 
new farm in section 3, Douglas Township; 
it contains 320 acres, drained by the middle 
branch of the Nishnabutna liiver, ami is ad- 
mirably adapted to the raising of grains or 



for grazing purposes. When Mr. Webster 
settled there his nearest postofHce was Exira, 
where mail was received once a week. The 
products of the farm were hauled to Atlantic, 
oats selling for 9 cents per bushel, and 
corn for 14 cents; coal sold for $6.50 per 
ton, a disproportion so great, that it is 
difficult to see how farmers managed to Jceep 
warm during the long, cold winters. Not 
finding a ready sale for his grain, Mr. Webster 
turned his attention to feeding stock, thus 
consuming all of his produce upon his farm. 
This he found much more profitable; of late 
years he has directed his attention to breed- 
ing draft horses, of the Clydesdale stock ; he 
has formed a partnership with John Cameren, 
and they also breed fine grades of mules. 
This Mr. Webster does in connection with 
his farming and feeding. He ships annually 
from one to three car-loads of stock. Mr. 
and Mrs. Webster are the parents of seven 
children — Hamilton C, Elizabeth A., wife of 
Monroe Johnston; William D., Edith, wife 
of Albert Green; Harry, Carrie and Edna. 
For several years Mr. Webster has served as 
road supervisor; he has been an active Re- 
publican since the organization of the party. 
He commenced his career without means, but 
by honesty and industry he accumulated a 
good property for his declining years. He 
and his wife endured many hardships and 
privations incident to the settling of a new 
country, and are to-day enjoying their reward 
in peace and plenty, and the comforts of 
a modern civilization. 

— ,t • : " : • > • " — 



ILLIAM L. SWAN EY has been 
identified with the interests of Au- 
dubon County sitice 1873. Unlike 
many of the residents of the Ilawkeye State, 
he has the honor to have been born within 




BIOQRAPUIGAL SKETCHES. 



817 



liur Ijorders, and February 21, 1847, is the 
date of Ills birth, and Jackson County, near 
Preston, is tiie place. He is the son of Da- 
vid and Sidney (Latta) Swaney, natives of 
Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They 
were married in Ohio, and soon after removed 
to Michigan and settled in Ann Arbor; 
thence they went to Jackson County, Iowa, 
in ilay, 1839, being among the pioneers of 
the county. David Swaney was a son of 
James Swaney, a native of Ireland, who was 
a soldier in the British army. David died 
in Jackson County, Iowa, in 1883, in his 
seventy-fifth year. The mother of our sub- 
ject was born in 1818, and reared eight 
children, four sons and four daughters — 
Nancy J., wife of D. Baldwin; James, An- 
geline, wife of George Lucas; Mary A., wife 
of William Mills; William L., the subject of 
this sketcli; Medora, wife of William Rut- 
ledge; Milton L. and Alonzo. William L. 
passed his boyhood in his native county, re- 
ceiving a common-school education; he re- 
mained with his parents until his twenty-tirst 
year, when he took up the responsibilities of 
life and began to carve out h's own fortune. 
In the summer of 1873 became to Audubon 
County and purchased eighty acres of wild 
prairie land. The following spring he moved 
liis family to the new home, where they 
bravely faced many of the privations incident 
to pioneer life. Mr. Swaney has put all the 
improvements upon the place, and has added 
from time to time to his first purchase, until 
he now owns 400 acres in one l)ody. A part 
of the farm is seeded down to pasture and 
the balance is under cultivation. Mr. Swa 
ney pays special attention to feeding live- 
stock, shipping large numbers annually; he 
has been quite successful in this department 
of agriculture. In 1873, February 12, oc- 
curred the marriage of William h. Swaney 
and Arminda Wilson, a native of the State 



of New York, and a daughter of A. Wilson, 
Esq., who died in this county. Her mother's 
maiden name was Bacon; she is still living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Swaney have had born to 
them si.x children — David L., Ada M., Wil- 
son Bacon, Milton, Minerva G. and Albert J. 
Mr. Swaney has served as justice of the 
peace since coming to the county, except one 
year; he has also represented his township 
as trustee and as a member of tiie school 
board and as assessor, to the entire satis- 
faction of the public. He is a member of 
Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., 
having been made a Mason in Jackson 
County, Iowa. In State and National affairs 
he support.s the issues of t'le Democratic 
party, but in local matters he votes for the 
man best fitted for the office in his estima- 
tion. He commenced life with no capital 
excepting that with which nature endowed 
him, pluck, energy and a determination to 
succeed; that he has succeeded is demon- 
strated when one takes a look at his broad 
acres in a high state of cultivation, and all 
the modern improvements upon his farm. 
Everything is arranged for comfort and con- 
venience, and the air of thrift and prosperity 
about Mr. Swaney's farm places him in the 
front ranks of Audubon County's agricult- 
urists. < 

""^ l - h 'l' l *"" 



?f(ILLIAM G. CAMERON, who was 
, , one of the first settlers in Cameron 

l*^&ri[ Township, has become a leading agri- 
culturist and stock-raiser in that part of the 
county. He settled upon his home farm in 
1878, removing from the State of Vermont, 
in which lie was born in September, 183G. 
His father, a most thorough business man, 
and the owner of a large property, was John 
Cameron, a descendant of Puritan stock. His 



818 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



mother was Jane Gray, a native of Vermont, 
and a most estimable woman, the mother of 
several children, of whom William G. is the 
oldest. His early childhood and school days 
were passed in his native county. Ilis edu- 
cation was received in the common schools, 
and his father bein^ an extensive farmer and 
stock-raiser, lie had unusual facilities for ac- 
quiring a knowledge of the management and 
handling of stock. In 1863 William G. 
Cameron took a trip to California, and while 
there engaged in various pursuits, prospecting 
some for gold. Keturning to Bureau County, 
Illinois, he carried on farming, and traded in 
live-stock for a time. He then returned to 
his native State, Vermont, but as the tide of 
emigration drifted westward he made np his 
mind to return, and as several of his friends 
had settled in Audubon County, Iowa, he 
settled there also. His first purchase was 
640 acres of land on section 21, Cameron 
Township, which was at that time open prai- 
rie. He began the task of breaking out the 
new farm, fencing it, and stocking it with 
cattle and hogs. In this enterprise he has 
been very successful, and as his means in- 
creased he has added to his first purchase of 
land until he now owns 1,440 acres; the land 
is not hilly, but is undulating, with an occa- 
sional gentle roll. All is enclosed with a 
good substantial fence, 200 acres being de- 
voted to raising corn, and the balance being 
seeded down to grass. In 1886 Mr. Cameron 
erected his large barn; when the framework 
was up ready to be enclosed it was struck by 
a cyclone and blown to the ground. The 
wreck was cleared away, and it was immedi- 
ately rebuilt. It is one of the largest barns 
in the western part of the State, and every- 
thing is arranged with an eye to convenience, 
as well as for the protection and comfort of 
the live-stock. The farm is well stocked with 
high-grade cattle, hogs and horses; every de- 



partment of the farm has the direct and care- 
ful supervision of Mr. Cameron. In 1876 
Mr. Cameron was united in marriage to Miss 
Eliza Crief, of Bureau County. Illinois, a 
most excellent person, and the possessor of 
many womanly qualities; she was born in 
Pennsylvania, and removed to Illinois with 
her parents in her girlhood. Politically Mr. 
Cameron is a man of pronounced views, and 
in matters pertaining to the State and Na- 
tional affairs he affiliates with the Republican 
party. 

— "♦♦' | « ;n; ' |" «" — 



SICHARD SIBSON, an agriculturist of 
Viola Township, was born in Cumber- 
land, England, May 31, 1840. He is 
a son of William and Sarah (Brown) Sibson, 
who remained in their native land. He was 
the fourth of a family of six children, and 
was reared in England. As soon as he was 
large enough he was, like all boys in mining 
towns, put to work in the mines at the age of 
eight years, and passed from one position to 
another as he iiicreased in size, and knew no 
otlier life than this drudging one until he 
had arrived at man's estate. At the age of 
twenty-five years, in the year 1865, he emi- 
grated to the United States, landing in the 
city of New York. He proceeded at once to 
the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and resumed 
work in the mines of Mercer County. One 
year afterward he went to Allegheny County, 
and worked in the mines for three years. 
Wishing to secure himself a home he came 
west, traveling through Illinois, and finally, 
in 1871, he settled in Polk County, Iowa, 
and began farming, meeting with success in 
his new enterprise, lie was also engaged in 
coal mining at Mitchellville, Iowa. After- 
ward lie came to Audubon County, and pur- 
chased a tract of new land, which lie at once 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



819 



began to improve; he lias since made addi- 
tions to this purchase until he now owns 370 
acres. It is a beautiful farm, near the north- 
ern borders of the county, adjacent to the 
Carroll County line. The residence is a fine 
commodious house, standing on an eminence 
tliat commands a view of the surrounding 
country. The owner's good taste is shown 
in the ornamental trees and large lawn, and 
the entire farm is well arranged, and is kept 
in lirst-class order. Mr. Sibson has been a 
successful breeder and grower of high-bred 
stock, and has given this branch of farming 
special attention. lie has fed as many as 
300 head of hogs annually, and raises large 
numbers of cattle, and Norman and Clydes- 
dale horses. Mr. Sibson was married in his 
twenty-eighth year to Miss Elizabeth Robert- 
son, her parents being of Scotch ancestry. 
They have a family of four children — Walter 
A¥., William, Isabel and Richard. Though 
Mr. Sibson is a Republican he is considered 
a liberal, conservative citizen. He is a good 
business man, and stands high in the estima- 
tion of all who know him. 



, ilLLIAM J. LANCELOT, of the firm 
Wjj'mh of Lancelot & Rees, merchants. Gray, 
l^-SS&rj Iowa, is a native of England, born in 
the county of Cornwall, December 4, 1849. 
He is the second of a family of six children 
of William II. aid Isabelle H. (Trucott) 
Lancelot, who still reside in the old country, 
well preserved in mind and body. The father 
was for many years a sea captain on the 
waters of the Atlantic. He is now employed 
in the government service at Falmouth, 
England. William J. was educated in his 
native country in a select school. At the 
early age of eighteen years the borders of his 
native country had grown too narrow for his 



youthful and sanguine spirits, so he emi- 
grated to America, landing in the city of 
New York. Thence he continued his jour- 
ney to Clayton County, Iowa, and there en- 
gaged in farming. Before leaving England 
he had served an apprenticeship as a butcher, 
and followed the business in America. In 
1876 Mr. Lancelot removed to Cameron Cen- 
ter, Audubon County, and engaged in farm- 
ing until 1885, when he moved to Ross, 
Iowa, and there associated himself in the 
grocery business with Frank Gluason, of Au- 
dubon. He afterward sold out at Ross and 
purchased a stock of goods of W. P. Johnson 
& Company, of Gray, taking F. P. Rees into 
partnership. The tirm of Lancelot & Rees 
was established in 1887, and by strict atten- 
tion to business and fair dealing they have 
won a large share of patronage. Mr. Lance- 
lot was instrumental in establishing the post- 
office at Thompson, a place well known by all 
the old settlers, which was discontinued when 
the town of Audubon was started. While in 
Ross he succeeded L. D. Thomas as post- 
master, and held the office until his removal 
to Gray. April 10, 1889, Mr. Lancelot re- 
ceived his appointment as postmaster of 
Gray, under President Harrison. Mr. Lance- 
lot is correspondent for the Daily Register, 
Des Moines, and also for the county papers. 
He has held several of the township offices, 
acf|uitting himself with great credit. He 
takes an active interest in the welfare of the 
Republican party, acting as a delegate to 
State, congressional and judicial conventions. 
Mr. Lancelot was united in marriage in 1873 
to Miss Phcebe A. Crow, of Fayette County, 
Iowa, a daughter of Milton Crow, Esq. Five 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Lancelot — William II., Isabelle B., K. Grant, 
Milton J. and (irace. Mrs. Lancelot is a 
native of the State of Indiana. She was a 
successful instructor, having taught si.xteen 



820 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



terms in Clayton, Fayette and Audubon 
counties. Iler primary education was re- 
ceived in the district school of Fayette 
County. Later slie entered the Upper Iowa 
University in Fayette County, and had almost 
completed the course at the time of her mar- 
riage. Mr. Lancelot is a member of Utopia 
Lodge, No. 161, L O. O. F.; the Iowa Legion 
of Honor; the K. of P., No. 166, at Man- 
ning, Iowa, and of Hiawatha Lodge, No. 16, 
I. O. R. M., at Gray. Mr. Lancelot com- 
menced the struggle for life single-handed 
and without capital, and by energy and close 
application to business he has secured an 
ample competence. 



'■-^l' 'i *> l - l > " ' 

ROBERT HENDERSON, a thrifty and 
prosperous agriculturist of Cameron 
Township, was born in the State of 
Vermont, near St. Johnsbury, October 11, 
1851. His father, "William Henderson, a 
native of Scotland, came to America in his 
youth. His- grandfather, William Hender- 
son, was also a native of Scotland. The 
mother of Robert Henderson was Hannah 
Gray, a daughter of William Gray, and a 
sister of George Gray, of Audubon County. 
She died when Robert was eight years old. 
The father is still living, at the age of seventy- 
five years, on the old homestead where our 
8ul)ject was born. Robert remained under 
the parental roof until his twentieth year, 
receiving the advantage of a district-school 
education, and also a few terms at the 
Peacham Academy. After leaving school 
the spirit of youth would no longer be re- 
strained, and he journeyed to the west, seek- 
ing the best in store for him. His first 
sojourn was in Stark County, Illinois, where 
he remained one year. He tlien went to 
Adair County, Iowa, and thence to Audubon 



County, taking charge of George Gray's 
ranch, which he opened up and managed for 
four years. Within this period he was mar- 
ried to Miss Ellen Evans, of Peacham, Ver- 
mont, a daughter of Charles Evans, Esq. 
After his marriage Mr. Henderson purchased 
160 acres of land which was new and unim- 
proved. The courage of the pioneer can 
scarcely be appreciated in this day, when 
there is so little that is new; but Mr. Hen- 
derson was equal to the occasion, and began 
with a will to claim from Nature all that she 
would yield. He broke out the farm, made 
many valuable improvements, and added to 
it from time to time until he'now owns 400 
acres, all under a high state of cultivation. 
He pays special attention to feeding hogs 
and cattle, shipping several cars annually. 
He also has some very fine horses for farm 
use. In 1888 he erected a large barn with 
sheds attached, having a capacity for seventy- 
five head of cattle and twenty-five head of 
horses. The confidence reposed in Mr. Hen- 
derson is attested in the fact that for several 
years he has served as township trustee. He 
began his career at the bottom round of the 
ladder, but by energy, industry and untiring 
efibrt he has accumulated a good competence. 
Mr. Henderson is of a genial, frank disposi- 
tion, and during his residence in the county 
has won a host of friends. 



-3**H 



RSON B. FRANCISCO is the man- 
ager of the Green i'ay Lumber Com- 
pany at Gray, Iowa. This company 
does a large business in the way of handling 
lumber, cedar posts, lime, hair, cement, 
stucco, hard and soft coal. Mr. Francisco, 
who has proven himself a most efficient man 
fur the place, came to Gray in 1884, and took 
charge of the business which had been estab- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



821 



lislied in 1881. He was born in the State of 
New York, near Schenectady, June 13, 1850, 
and is the youngest of a family of nine 
children of Cornelius W. and Mary A. (Davis) 
Francisco. The parents grew to maturity in 
their native State, New York, and in 1851 
tliey emigrated to Lake County, Illinois, re- 
siding there for two years. Thence they 
went to Grant County, Wisconsin, where the 
father lived the remainder of his days; he 
died in 1865, and his wife, who survives him, 
makes her home with her daugliter, Mrs- 
Gulliford, in Sac County, Iowa. She is now 
in her eighty-third year and is in the fulj 
possession of all her faculties. Her husband 
was born in 1805. Their children are named 
as follows — Sarah, Mary, Cornelia, Elizabeth 
D., Elisha, Nicholas J., D. Marvin, Andrew 
J., Orson B., and Elizabeth, who died in her 
twentieth year. Until his fifteenth year Orson 

B. lived in his native county; he attended 
the district school, and later the High School 
of Boscobel, Wisconsin. He taught school 
thirteen terms, from six to nine months long, 
in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. His 
father dying when he was but fourteen years 
old, he was thrown upon his own resources. 
He did not continue in the profession of 
teaching, but accepted a position on the 
government survey through the Territory of 
Dakota; at the end of one year he made a 
trip into the Yellowstone country up the 
Missouri, and then returned to Wisconsin, 
where he was married to Mary 11. Winn, a 
daughter of John and Maria (Griffith) Winn. 
Mrs. Francisco was born in the State of Illi- 
nois, but grew to womanhood in Wisconsin. 
They are the parents of four children — Mark 

C, Edgar, Lulu Belle, Winnie O. Edgar 
died in infancy. Mr. Francisco is a member 
of Utopia Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F., at 
(}ray; of the Knights t^f Pythias, No. 166, 
at Manning, Iowa; of the A. (). U. W., 



Odobolt Lodge, No. 217, and of the Hia- 
watha Tribe, No. 16, I. O. K. M., at Gray. 
In politics Mr. Francisco is rather conserv- 
ative. He served as assistant postmaster 
nearly four years at Odobolt. The grand- 
father on the mother's side was Elijah Davis, 
of German and French extraction. The 
grandfather on the father's side, Nicholas 
Francisco, was of French descent, and served 
in the Revolutionary war. Buth families 
are noted for their longevity. 



fOHN CAMERON ie a member of the 
firm of Cameron & AVebster, breeders 
and importers of Clydesdale horses. 
The celebrated horse of this tirni was im- 
ported by Mr. Singm aster, of Keota, Iowa, 
and is registered in the Scotch Herd Book, 
No. 2,481, and in the American Herd Book, 
No. 1,108. They also breed fine jacks, hav- 
ing the largest herd, numbering thirteen, in 
the county. Mr. Cameron's farm is located 
in Lincoln Township, on the branches of the 
Nishnabotna River, and contains 120 acres; 
he also rents some adjoining lands, making 
280 acres under his care. Mr. Cameron is a 
practical farmer as well as a practical stock- 
breeder, and has been successful in this avo- 
cation. John Cameron, the subject of this 
brief biography, was born in January, 18-46, 
in the country of Nova Scotia. His father, 
Allen Cameron, was a native of Scotland, 
who emigrated to Nova Scotia and became 
an extensive owner of pine lands, and for 
several years was largely engaged in the 
lumbering interests. He became heavily in- 
volved by aiding his friends in endorsing 
paper, so thafr upon his removal to Carroll 
County, Illinois, he was in moderate circum- 
stances. His wife, ('atherino Canujron, was 
also a native of Scotland. The grandfather 



S-li 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY. 



of onr subject was Alexander Cameron, who 
emigrated with his family from Scotland to 
Nova Scotia. The graiidfatiier on the mother's 
side was Donald Cameron, also a Scotchman. 
John Cameron passed his early boyhood and 
school days in Carroll County, Illinois; later 
he attended a select school for a period of six 
months. His father dying soon after the re- 
moval of the family to Illinois, he was de- 
prived of paternal care; his older brother 
took charge of the family, and gave what 
assistance his years were capable of giving. 
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Cameron, in com- 
pany with his brother-in-law, Kobert Gunn, 
came to Audubon County, and located on 
lands in section 16, which afterward were 
named Cameron Townsiiip, in honor of the 
Cameron family, he and Mr. Gunn turning 
tiie first furrow of land in the township. 
After breaking out his farm, and making 
some improvements, he returned to Illinois, 
and then took a trip to Colorado, in search of 
wealth, working in the mines which prom- 
ised to be remunerative. After the lapse of 
a few years he returned to Audubon County, 
and settled on his present farm which was new 
and unimproved ; he has placed the land under 
fine cultivation, and has made many valuable 
improvements in the way of buildings. Mr. 
Cameron was married in 1879 to Mrs. Sarah 
Dustin, of Exira, Audubon County, her par- 
ents being early settlers of the county. B}' 
this union three children have l)een born — 
Allen B., Grace M. and James L. 



IIOBERT H. DAVIDSON, an early set- 
tler of Douglas Township, was born in 
Brooke County, West Virginia, August 
22, 1820. He is a son of William and Sarah 
(Hawkins) Davidson, natives of the State of 
Pennsylvania. Tlie father was a carpenter 



and farmer by occupation. His grandfather 
was Tiiomas Davidson. When Robert H. 
was ten years old his parents removed to 
Monroe County, Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood; he was reared to the life of a 
farmer, and obtained a limited education in 
the common schools. He remained under 
the shelter of the parental roof until liis 
maturity, wiien he was united in marriage 
with Miss Catherine Canada, who died, leav- 
iiior one child — William E., a resident of 
Oiiio. Mr. Davidson was married a second 
time, to Maria J. Stoots, by whom he had 
five children — Ciiarles S., Nora C, the wife 
of Eiisha Fisciis; Ida, wife of Henry Gillett, 
and two children who died in infancy. Mr. 
Davidson's present wife was Mrs. Lacy E. 
(Reasoner), widow of William Kunkle, of 
Guthrie County, Iowa; eight children were 
born of this marriage — Vantura, wife of 
John C. Baker; Anna B., wife of Bert R. 
Givens; Calvin F., Fred B., Joseph W., 
Milton II., Maud and Kittie Lulu. In the 
spring of 1857, when Iowa was considered 
to be the frontier, Mr. Davidson removed his 
family from Noble County, Oiiio, to Guthrie 
County, Iowa; there he worked at the car- 
penter's trade, and cultivated his farm of 120 
acres. Selling out his possessions in Guth- 
rie County, he removed to southwestern 
Missouri, and remained thereeighteenniontiis; 
the climate of that latitude not agreeing with 
him he returned to Guthrie County, and 
resided there until 1873, when he came to 
Audubon County. He located upon his 
present farm, which is situated on tiie east 
fork of the west branch of the Nishnabotna 
River; the land is fertile, and there is a 
natural grove upon the place, which adds 
very materially to the value of the farm. Mr. 
Davidson devotes considerable attention to 
the feeding and raising of good grades of 
live-stock, and lias i)een very prosperous in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETOUBH. 



Hi:! 



this enterprise. In politics lie is inclined to 
the principles of the Republican party. lie 
has served his township as justice of the 
peace for fourteen years, the period of his 
service being indicative of the respect in 
which liis judgment is held. 



►^«^ 



fRANK GARROUTTE, a most thorough 
and enterprising farmer of Douglas 
Township, was born in Brown County, 
Ohio, near Fayetteville, November 28, 1851. 
He is a son of John W. Garroutte, who is a 
native of Ohio, and a fanner and carpenter 
by vocation. His mother was a Miss Mors- 
mon, also a native of Ohio, and a daughter 
of Levi and Rachel Morsinon. The family 
of Garrouttes are of French extraction. After 
his marriage John W. Garroutte settled in 
Brown County, Ohio. He and his wife are 
the parents of two children, boys — Birk and 
Frank, both of whom are living. Frank 
Garroutte obtained his education in the dis- 
trict school, which offered very limited ad- 
vantages at that early day. He was trained 
to the occupation of a farmer, and that his 
training was excellent is shown by the model 
condition of his farm to-day. When he was 
two years old his parents removed to Dallas 
County, Iowa, where his father died two years 
afterward. His mother and brother still re- 
side in Dallas County, Iowa. He continued 
to live with them until fifteen years of age. 
He was united in marriage, June G, 1880, to 
Miss Jennie Merry m<in, of Dallas County, 
Iowa, a daughter of Henry and Christinia 
(Wolbert) Merryman, natives of Virginia 
and Pennsylvania respectively. The Merry- 
mans were descendants of a Scotch family, 
and the Wolberts were of English ancestry. 
Soon after his marriage Mr. Garroutte re- 
moved to Audubon Cou!ity, and settled on a 



farm in Leroy Township. He remained 
there two years, devoting his time to the im- 
provement and cultivation of his farm, which 
he sold to George C. Cook. His present 
farm, which is known as the Marion farm, is 
located in Douglas Township, and contains 
160 acres of choice, fertile land, moderately 
improved. It is well stocked, and the greater 
part is seeded down to pasture. Mr. Gar- 
routte rents other land, which he cultivates 
in addition to his own. Five children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garroutte. Two 
are living — Dora and Emery. Katie, Bar- 
bara and Horace were stricken down in 1888 
by that dread disease, diphtheria. 




l^^^|ILSON FISCUS.— This energetic and 
substantial agriculturist, a resident 
!^l of Douglas Townsliip, was born in 
Owen County, Indiana, March 19, 1847, and 
is a son of John A. and Elizabeth (Boen) 
Fiscus. John A. Fiscus was born in North 
Carolina, and there grew to manhood. He 
removed to Indiana when a young man, and 
was there married, settled in Owen County, 
and passed the remainder of his days. Wil- 
son Fiscus was reared to manhood in his 
native county, his time being divided be- 
tween farm work and attending the district 
school. His father, who was a neat and 
careful farmer, instructed him thoroughly in 
all the details of farming. In 1868 Mr. Fis- 
cus was married to Emma Dean, of Owen 
County, Indiana. Her parents were Fenton 
and Elizabeth Dean. In the fall of 1872, 
after spending several years upon the farm 
in Owen County, Mr. Fiscus removed with 
his family to Marshall County, Iowa, and re- 
sided there two years. From the latter county 
he came to Audubon County and purchased a 
farm of 123 acres. The land is of the most 



824 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNXJ. 



choice, being very fertile and drained by the 
waters of the Nislinabotna River. His resi- 
dence is a substantial building, attractively 
surrounded by a beautiful grove. Ilis farm 
is well stocked with cattle and hogs of the 
best gratles. He contends that a line animal 
eats no more than a poor one, and that in the 
end it pays to have the high breeds. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fiscus have liad born to them two 
children — Eugene W. and E. Bessie. They 
are devoted members of the Christian church, 
and regular attendants at Sabbath-school. 
Mr. Fiscus is an elder of the church. In 
politics he is rather conservative, but as a 
rule he votes the Democratic ticket in Na- 
tional and State affairs. He has held several 
township offices, and is the present incum- 
bent of the treasurer's office, which he has 
held a number of terms. He has acquitted 
himself with credit, and to the satisfaction of 
the public. 



►JmJ- 




WILLIAM CLOUGHLY, druggist, 
Audubon, Iowa, has been identified 
with the interests of the town from 
its very beginning. He came to the county 
before railroads were built, and before the 
location of the town, and started the first 
drug store, and has never been out of the 
drug trade. Mr. Cloughly was born at Lans- 
down. Thousand Islands, Canada, July 22, 
1852, and is a son of John and Sarah (Kirk- 
land) Cloughly; the father is a native of Ire- 
land, and a farmer by occupation. They lived 
in Canada until 1866, when they removed 
to Iowa, and settled in Winterset, Madison 
County, where the mother died; the father 
is now managing a ranch in Missouri. Will- 
iam left home in his thirteenth year to learn 
the blacksmith's trade at Lansdown, Canada; 
he served five years, and then came to the 



United States, stopping at Mitchellville, Polk 
County, Iowa, where he worked at his trade. 
During his stay at Mitchellville he began the 
study of pharmacy, and then came to Audu- 
bon and opened his drug store. In 1879 he 
began buying horses for the western markets, 
shipping them to all parts of Dakota and 
Missouri. In 1886 he began breeding horses 
from very fine stock, and now has eighty 
head of blooded colts inside the corporate 
limits of Audubon on pasture. He owns 160 
acres of land in Melville Township. Mr. 
Cloughly was married July 12, 1883, to Miss 
Mary Loney, a daughter of Hugh Loney, 
whom he had known in childhood in Canadn. 
They have one daughter — Augusta. Mr. 
Cloughly is a member of the city council, a 
position he has held for six years. He is a 
member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & 
A. M.; Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M., 
and Godfrey Commandery, No. 44, K. T. 
Politically he is rather conservative, but in 
National and State elections he votes the 
Democratic ticket. He is also a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, of the I. O. 0. F. 
and Encampment, and of the I. O. R. M. He 
has been a liberal contributor to the churches. 



■ '♦''^• 3 "C- S 

||«i|ILLIAM II. McCLURE, of the firm 
W/wH °* Cousins & McClure, proprietors 
(*-§g^ of the Audubon County Reptihlioan, 
is a native of the State of Illinois, and was 
horn in Dundee, November 15, 1859. He is 
the oldest livintr son of William and Mana 
(Wesson) McClure. William McCiure, the 
father of William H., was a stone and brick 
mason in early life, but in later years turned 
his attention to farming. He was born in 
the State of Maine, and removed to Illinois, 
where he married and settled upon a farm. 
In 1868 he took las family to Cedar County, 



BIOGRAPHICAL iyKKTCHES. 



825 



Iowa, and settled on a farm, remaining tiiere 
Beveral 3'ears. He then moved to the town 
of Wyoming, Jones County, and still resides 
there. AVilliam McClure passed his youth 
in Cedar and Jones counties, receiving his 
education principally in the public schools of 
Wyoming. At the age of sixteen years he 
entered the printing office of the Wyoming 
Journal, and there learned the printer's trade. 
He remained in the Journal office seven years 
from the time of entering, and was then 
appointed postmaster, serving from May, 
1883, until 1885, at Wyoming, Iowa. In the 
month of December, 1885, Mr. McClnre 
came to Audubon County, and was employed 
on the Auduho7i County Repiihlican. In 
April, 1887, he purchased tlie interest held 
by S. A. Foster, the firm being at that time 
Cousins & Foster. Mr. Foster retired from the 
business, and the firm name was changed to 
Cousins & McCliire. Mr. McClure is a 
practical printer, and a racj' writer. He was 
married to Miss Kate Holmes, of Wyoming, 
Iowa, a daughter of William Holmes, Esq. 
Mr. and Mrs. McClure have had born to them 
four children — Scott, Don, Mary and Edgar. 

«o»-»i i? « S ti ; « |M '»« 



fESPER JENSEN, Supervisor of Audubon 
County. This highly respected and in- 
fluential member of the present board 
of supervisors was born near Aalborg, Den- 
mark, May 1, 1852, and is the elder of two 
children, the other being a daughter, Mary 
Ann, residing in the mother country. The 
parents were Jens and Metta K. (Jespersen) 
Mortensen. At the time of young Jensen's 
birth it was the custom in Denmark for the 
children to assumethegiven nanieof the father 
for their surname, hence his name is Jensen 
instead of Mortcsen. His parents died in 
their native country, the father about three 



years ago, and the mother within three weeks 
of the writing of this biographical sketch. 
Mr. Jensen's father was quite a large farmer 
for that country, having about 200 acres of 
land. Young Jensen in addition to hard 
work on the farm had the advantage of good 
schools, and received a fair education, study- 
ing the English language, and becoming con- 
versant with its grammar and construction. 
He early imbibed an idea of coming to 
America, having a well-grounded dislike to 
monarchial governments, and a strong desire 
to live where he could be a man. In futher- 
ance of this plan, when he arrived at the age 
of eighteen years he resolved to emigrate, 
and make his home in the United States. 
Accordingly, in March, 1870, he embarked 
at Copenhagen and crossed the North Sea, 
and landed at Leith, Scotland; after a delay 
there of ten days he took passage at Glasgow 
on the steamer North America, the voyage 
requiring tvventy-si.x days. The vessel being 
delayed off the coast of New Foundland by 
ice sheets, the vessel was compelled to run 
into Halifa.x for coal and provisions, and then 
the journey was resumed, and May 16 they 
landed at Quebec. Mr. Jensen went directly 
to Chicago, which was his destination. It was 
just after the great fire in Chicago, atul he 
remained there two years, finding ample 
opportunity to exercise his ability to work. 
At the end of two years he went to the iron 
mines of Lake Superior, where there was a 
boom, intending to work in the mines; but 
finding that many laborers were losing their 
lives in the mines by frequent accidents, he 
sought a less dangerous occujjation, and 
succeeded in getting a position in a powder 
mill, preferring this perilous work to tiie 
more dangerous mines. There he worked 
six months, receiving $80 per month and 
board. The panic of 1873 coming on, the 
mill suspended, and he spent the next six 



820 



HISTORY OF AUDUBON 'COUNTY. 



months looking over the northern peninsula 
of Michigan, visiting among other institu- 
tions the famous copper mines. Not find- 
ing any suitable employment he returned to 
Chicago, bought a horse and wagon, and en- 
gaged in the express delivery business; find- 
ing it profitable, he decided to establish ahome, 
and to that end secured a wife. Mr. Jensen 
was married March 9, 1874, to Miss Anna 
K. Larson, who was also a native of Denmark. 
Her parents were Lars and Kirsten Jensen ; 
here again appears that old style of taking 
the father's name as a surname. At the end 
of two years Mr. Jensen entered the employ 
of the Chicago Street Car Company, and 
continued there for five years, filling tiie 
various positions in the street railway busi- 
ness; his wages were $83 per month. In the 
spring of 1880 he decided to leave the city. 
Knowing that a large number of his country- 
men had settled in Shelby and Audubon 
counties, Iowa, he came direct to Harlan, and 
after a short investigation he contracted for 
a part of his present farm on section 15, 
Sharon Township. He then returned to 
Chicago, and remained there one year longer 
with the same company, and in the spring of 
1881 he removed his family to their new 
home. He has since added more land to his 
original purchase, and has made excellent 
improvements in the way of a house, barns, 
cribs and feed-yards, so tliat he has one of 
tlie best improved farms in the southwest 
part of Audubon County; it is well stockeJ 
with good grades of cattle, horses and hogs. 



Mr. Jensen was soon called upon to manage 
public business, being elected township trustee 
the second year after coming to the county, 
a position to which he was re-elected, and 
held until he resigned to accept the position 
he now holds, having been elected in 1886 a 
member of the county board of supervisors; 
his colleagues at that time were Sparks 
Baker and George McKain. Mr. Jensen has 
made an excellent record as a safe, prudent, 
far-seeing business man, and his voice has 
ever been given to render lasting benefit to 
the county; an instance is his support of the 
aid given to the County Agricultural Society 
which has enabled it to be placed upon a 
substantial basis; another is his hearty co- 
operation in securing the present county- 
farm. A position of this kind is a difficult 
one to fill, as there are always many who 
stand ready to criticise every move where the 
public business is concerned; but Mr. Jeusen 
has the satisfaction of knowing that his ideas 
have been sanctioned by the best men in the 
county. He has recen ly suflTered the loss 
of his estimable wife, Mrs. Jensen dying of 
consumption after a lingering sickness, April 
12, 1889, in her thirty-second year. She 
was the mother of seven children — Lawrence 
C, Waldemar, Louise, Alexander, Amanda, 
Victor, Anna K. Mr. Jensen is a member 
of the Lutheran church, of the Danish 
Brotherhood, and of the Kniglits of Pythias, 
lie is a stauncli Republican, and has always 
taken an active interest in conventions and 
general political work. 



^^^^•#-^ 



